Mother's milk is the only food that fully meets the needs of the newborn. It is easily digested, has the necessary temperature. Milk contains antibodies that prevent the occurrence of certain infections.

In the early days, milk only arrives, so there is no need to worry about the fact that a child may not get enough food. The volume of your milk in the first days is in accordance with the needs of the child. After all, now these needs are minimal - the baby's stomach is simply unable to cope with a large amount of food. Therefore, the small amount of colostrum produced by the mother's breast is enough for him.

In the early days, the child often feeds irregularly: either sucks uninterruptedly, or takes the breast a few times a day. This style of feeding is called breastfeeding on demand. Because of this spontaneous nutrition schedule, you should not worry, in about a month you and your baby will have a certain feeding regime.

Pose during feeding.

The first time is most convenient to feed lying on its side. After a while you can change the posture and feed in a sitting position. When feeding sitting, do not lean forward to put the nipple into your baby's mouth. At first, for convenience, put a pillow on your knees and lean on it with your hand holding the baby, and bring his face to your chest. After a while you will find yourself a comfortable position in which you can feed without fatigue and strain for as long as your baby needs.

Breast during feeding.

During breastfeeding, it is necessary to properly support the breast.

Take the breast with the thumb and forefinger of the free hand (thumb on top) near the sucking mug. Holding the breast in this way, bring the nipple to the baby's lips and tickle them by moving the nipple up and down. This should prompt him to open his mouth. As soon as the mouth opens slightly, gently place the nipple in the center so that the child can grab it. If necessary, repeat this until the baby does not compress the nipple with his lips. Do not rush the child, he will sooner or later understand everything. Before feeding it is possible to express a little milk, so that it would be more convenient for a child to take a breast.

Feeding technique.

Make sure that the child grasps the lips not only of the nipple, but also the nipple circle (most of the areola, since there are lacteal sinuses there). Otherwise, the breast will not contract. Pay attention that the child does not accidentally start sucking another part of the breast or his own tongue or lip. To check this, gently pull its lower lip during feeding.

A sign that the process is right is the strong and rhythmic movements of the child's cheeks. Later, when the milk is more, you will hear swallowing sounds. If the baby has correctly taken the breast, then its lower lip will be turned out, the cheeks will be rounded, the chin will be pressed to the chest, and your chest will take a rounded shape.

If the milk comes quickly, overflowing the child's mouth and even causing.

Cough, interrupt for a while, to express some milk to reduce the influx.

Health. Sumy. Ua.