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On #NationalBreastfeedingWeek its important to remember that breastfeeding & formula feeding are not always mutually exclusive. Formula is not the problem. The problem is the aggressive marketing of formula while at the same time the lack of supports we have for mothers 1/..
On #NationalBreastfeedingWeek its important to remember that breastfeeding & formula feeding are not always mutually exclusive. Formula is not the problem. The problem is the aggressive marketing of formula while at the same time the lack of supports we have for mothers 1/..
Antenatal support and education is important but is often not enough as it's usually out of context especially for new mothers. What is needed is one to one support over the first few days and education on normal baby behaviour in terms of feeding. 2/..
Some common baby behaviour patterns:
▶️Healthy term babies do not need huge milk volume over the first 24/48 hours. Colostrum is enough. They will feed every 1-2 hours. Does not mean baby is hungry. Their stomach is the side of their clenched fist and empties quickly. 3/..
▶️Healthy term babies do not need huge milk volume over the first 24/48 hours. Colostrum is enough. They will feed every 1-2 hours. Does not mean baby is hungry. Their stomach is the side of their clenched fist and empties quickly. 3/..
▶️Healthy babies will usually have a strong vigorous suck for the first few hours after birth. That can dampen down for the subsequent 24 hours. That doesn't always mean baby is getting "sleepy" or "tired" due to lack of milk. Its normal behaviour. 4/..
▶️ Babies will feed more often overnight for the first 2 to 3 days and sleep during the day. This is physiological as they are capitalising on the high levels of prolactin (milk producing hormone) present overnight. That's normal behaviour. 5/..
▶️ Babies will lose 7% to 10% of their birth weight over the first week. No need to rush in with formula if baby is latching well and feeding well. Babies only pee once on day 1 and once or twice day 2. It's doesn't mean low milk supply. 6/..
▶️ A latch can be uncomfortable to begin with but should not be toe curlingly painful! If pain doesn't subside after 10 seconds that might mean latch is shallow. Don't persevere with the pain. Unlatch and try again. 7/..
▶️ Ask for help early. Even if it's in the middle of the night. Ask to be shown what a good latch is. Below is an excellent resource with videos:
med.stanford.edu/newborns/profe…
8/..
med.stanford.edu/newborns/profe…
8/..
▶️ there are time when supplementation is necessary. It's not a failure of breastfeeding. There are times when nipple sheilds are necessary. It's not a failure of breastfeeding. Hope this helps.9/9
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