Some people have no difficulty with breast feeding; but for many others it doesn't go smoothly in the beginning. Don't feel demoralized: follow the step by step guide and discuss any problems with your health care provider, who will be happy to give advice at any time. Don't give up with out consulting them first. Remember, your baby is learning too, so you have to be patient.

Ensuring A Good Milk Supply

When your baby feeds, the milk she drinks first the fore milk is thin, watery, and thirst quenching; the hind milk that follows is richer in fat and protein, so your baby gets all her nutritional needs at one feeding. To ensure that you provide a good milk supply, make sure you are eating a good diet and drinking lots of fluids, especially in hot weather, when your baby will be thirsty, too. Feed on demand, when your baby is hungry; your body will automatically produce enough. If your baby feeds slowly in the first few days, you may have to express milk in order for more to be produced. If she feeds often, you will keep pace, no matter how small your breasts are, breast size is irrelevant to the amount of milk you make. How ever, it is important to rest between feedings, so that your metabolism can catch up. Many women find the mid evening feeding the most difficult; the milk supply is often lower because you are tired, and your baby may be fretful at this time of day. Try resting in the after noon, preparing an evening meal earlier in the day, or better still, leaving the cooking to your partner.

Frequency Of Feeds

Be prepared to feed often your baby could feed ten or 11 times in 24 hours for the first few weeks. Feeding will take over your life at first, but you'll find that your baby is contented, goes to sleep easily, and, by the time she's six to eight weeks, she'll be feeding more efficiently and less often. Don't try to impose a rigid routine your baby will get up set and the stress will affect your ability to feed. During the first few weeks, use alternate breasts for feedings. This helps to balance the milk supply and avoids either breast becoming sore. Many babies find one side easier than the other; if this happens with your baby, put her to the less favored breast first.

Successful Breast Feeding

To establish successful breast feeding, it's important to understand how your baby sucks. Sucking is really the wrong word, in fact, she smacks the nipple between her tongue and the roof of her mouth. To do this properly she has to latch on properly with her gums firmly gripping the areola (this stimulates the let down of milk) and the nipple so far in to her mouth that the milk is then squeezed right into her throat for her to swallow. Breast Feeding Positions

It's important to be in a comfortable position before you start feeding, since you're likely to be there for some time. Whether sitting or lying, make sure your baby's whole body is angled to ward you in this position, she's more likely to latch on correctly on her first try.

Advantages Of Breast Feeding

Here are some of the many advantages of breast feeding:

* Baby and mother bond closely.

* Milk is readily available, sterile, and is the correct temperature.

* Easy for your baby to digest.

* A perfect balance of protein, carbohydrate, fat, salt, and other minerals, vitamins, and iron.

* Protects against infection.

* May protect against allergies.

* Breast fed babies have fewer diaper rashes and their stools are softer and inoffensive.

* Helps burn off fat laid down in a mother's body during pregnancy.


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