Breastfeeding the First Few HoursWritten by Demetria Zinga
Your infant has just entered world a few hours ago. He’s opening his eyes, rooting about, pushing his fists to his mouth, and seeking comfort of breast. It’s only natural that your baby would have immediate instinct of wanting to nurse. In beginning, it may be difficult for Baby to learn to latch on, but his instincts are there. The first few hours after birth are a window of opportunity for Mom to bring Baby close to her skin and give her baby a chance to try nursing. It is within first two hours after birth that an infant is most eager to suck.Why is nursing first few hours so important? Well, one important reason nursing first few hours is so important, is Mom’s production of colostrum, which is first foods your baby will receive from you (as opposed to mature breastmilk). Colostrum is a clear, yellowish substance that is often termed “liquid gold”, which has many antibiotic and beneficial features for your baby. This colostrum seals your baby’s intestines to protect him from harmful bacteria. The high protein colostrum diet stimulates your baby’s first bowel movement (the meconium) as well and decreases incidence of jaundice. Besides receiving a beneficial high protein, low fat meal straight from Mom, Baby will also learn to latch onto breast correctly within a few days of giving birth, especially if Mom is persistent and available to feed regularly. About supplements No doubt if you give birth in a hospital, your baby may very well be offered sugar water or a pacifier. The hospital staff mean well, but if you plan to nurse your baby regularly, getting your baby off to a good start first few days are crucial. You can ask your nurses not to offer a pacifier to your baby, and explain that you will be happy to nurse whenever your baby gets fussy. Pacifiers have been associated with problems such as ear infections and early weaning. In addition, using pacifiers interferes with Mom’s milk supply. For first few weeks, especially, it is important to keep Baby in practice with learning to nurse. Sugar water, on other hand, may be given for necessary and medical reasons, such as for a baby who has low sugar levels, or one who has undergone much stress during labor and delivery. But if there are no medical reasons for offering sugar water, ask nurses to bring your baby to you for feedings regularly. Correct Positioning Here are a few steps that may be helpful when beginning a breastfeeding session:
| | Be The ParentWritten by Demetria Zinga
“No! No! It’s MINE!” my two year old screamed as I chased around her around room for remote control. A few minutes later I was negotiating with her for a bottle of ketchup at dinner table. And before bedtime, we watched a series of three Veggie Tales videos over and over again until both of us were exhausted for night. After my daughter fell asleep, I began to mull over in my mind events of day. Was my two year old controlling my life? Ha! She sure was. But WHY? Wasn’t I parent? That’s when I really began to do some soul-searching. I’d seen way too many parents of young children running themselves ragged to appease their children in every way. Giving in to each request was not something I’d planned on, but had just become easy way out. I knew what I’d have to do. I’d have to set rules and limits and follow through with them, and get this…ALL time! Not having had much practice at this, I knew I was going to be in for a treat once I began to implement it. So next morning, my little one stumbled out of bed and demanded a small bag of fruit juice snacks for breakfast. I rolled my eyes. Not snacks for breakfast again! I was going to have to make a wise choice and serve her something nutritious instead…eggs and oatmeal maybe? “No! No! No eggs! CHEWIES!” my daughter screamed. By time I had adamantly refused second time around, she was on floor pouncing and flinging herself all over place. “Just be calm” I told myself. “She’ll figure out soon enough that you aren’t going to budge.” And she did. And she stood up, sat at table, and ate eggs and oatmeal.
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