But there's another problem– if the baby is sucked tightly, how to remove the nipple from the baby’s mouth?

Sucking- an innate reflex of a newborn. He needs it in order to survive. That's why healthy newborn If it sticks, it sticks.

Do not, under any circumstances, pull the nipple out of the baby's mouth - it will be very painful (this can lead to bruising and cracked nipples). Also, it is not always possible to wait until the baby is fast asleep and releases the breast on his own (what if the mother needs to go to the toilet?)

The only way to painlessly remove the nipple from the baby’s mouth during feeding is to insert the mother’s little finger into the baby’s mouth and only then calmly remove the breast!

Should you breastfeed?
How to express milk?

Whether a mother will be able to breastfeed her baby for a long time and with pleasure largely depends on how she does it in the first week after giving birth. Our tips will help you get through the difficult period of starting lactation without hassle.

Surely, you have more than once watched with emotion videos in which newly born baby animals, hobbling on legs trembling from weakness or funny moving their paws, reach for their mother’s nipple. These tiny, often still blind lumps are controlled by a powerful force - the thirst for life. This is how nature ordered it.

AND the health of a little man largely depends on how quickly after birth he is put to the breast. The colostrum released in the first hours is a real mother’s blessing for her baby to lead an independent life. This is the strongest amulet against many infectious (and not only) diseases and an invaluable source useful substances.

Unfortunately, colostrum very quickly loses its beneficial features, after a few hours remaining just a high-calorie food. Therefore, for many years the World Health Organization has strongly recommended All babies should be put to the breast immediately after birth. Not for feeding - for a healthy future.

Not all children, being in a state of postpartum stress, are able to immediately actively suck. Don't worry: the first tiny drops of colostrum are easily released when you press on the areola. The baby will just have to lick them off. Then he will sleep soundly for several hours, resting after a difficult period of childbirth. But when should a mother start to really feed him, teaching him to latch on correctly - read here.

At correct technique Attachment to the breast and feeding does not cause any difficulties for either the mother or the baby. Please note: the child will latch onto the nipple correctly if he not only has his mouth open, but also his tongue is stuck out a little forward and curved in the shape of a boat. Then he will accept mother’s breasts tenderly, as if in folded palms, and he will suck on them so that the movements of his rough tongue will give mother unearthly pleasure.

The technique of proper breastfeeding is described in detail here. Compliance with it will 99% protect a woman from the formation of monstrously painful nipple cracks, from lactostasis and mastitis. And the baby will not suffer from intestinal colic and endless regurgitation.

In fact, the baby does not suck milk, but presses the skin of the nipple and areola to the palate, while actively moving the tongue in the direction from the gums to the pharynx. That is, the milk is, as it were, squeezed out of the milk passages, and very quickly, since a negative pressure is created in the oral cavity, which has a strong suction property. If at this time you try to remove the breast from the child, removing the nipple from the mouth, you will most likely achieve nothing but severe and painful overstretching of the areola skin. As a result, nipple cracks form, heal poorly and quickly increase due to constant skin irritation with frequent feedings.

How to take breasts from a toddler without unpleasant consequences? The easiest way - slightly open his gums by entering through the corner of his mouth with the tip of your finger. Air will enter the oral cavity through the gap that forms, and the pressure will equalize. All you have to do is apply a little pressure on the skin of the breast near the baby’s lips so that the nipple pops out on its own.

The second option is slower - lightly press the baby’s chin and hold it there. You will feel how your finger prevents it from pressing hard on your gums and pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. With each movement of the lower jaw, the suction force will decrease, and soon the baby will release the nipple on its own.

Often mothers try to hold the baby’s nose so that he, gasping for breath, opens his mouth and releases his breast. This is not physiological and can be dangerous for the baby. Children breathe very quickly (at least 40 breaths per minute) and do not know how to hold their breath. Imagine what will happen if the baby feels a lack of oxygen at the moment when there is a lot of milk in his mouth? By abruptly throwing the chest, he can take a strong breath, aspirating (inhaling) food into the lungs. As a result, at the very least, a suffocating cough attack that frightens the mother cannot be avoided, and in the worst case scenario, the baby will develop aspiration pneumonia.

Today “on demand” feeding is considered optimal for newborns. That is, the mother gives the baby breast every time he gets hungry. How to determine whether he really wants to eat - see here.

After birth, the baby's stomach volume is approximately 2 ml. Every day it increases, reaching 70 ml by the end of the week. This means that at first, even despite the high calorie content of colostrum, the baby will ask to eat very often. We'll have to be patient. By the time of discharge from the maternity hospital home, the interval between feedings will be from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

What does it depend on:

• on gestational age, maturity, weight of the child;
• on his temperament (there are lazy children or active suckers);
• on the baby’s health condition.

Uniform recommendations for infants over 2 weeks - no more than 40 minutes. It has been proven that the baby drinks about 90% of milk in the first 5 minutes, and then simply satisfies his need for sucking. The exception is the so-called “lazy suckers”, for whom the characteristics of temperament or health do not allow them to actively work. But even these babies, if you wake them up well before feeding, fill up in 7-10 minutes, then fall asleep soundly and only lick the nipple or passively swallow the milk squeezed into their mouth. No matter how many months the mother has been breastfeeding, if the areola is irritated for longer than 40 minutes, there is a risk of nipple cracks.

For newborns the rule is different. The babies are still weak, their stomach volume is small, and colostrum is very high in calories. A woman’s breast skin is delicate and sensitive – the risk of cracks is the highest. Therefore, 5 minutes are allocated for active sucking in the first two days, 10 on the third, then you can add 5 minutes every day, gradually reaching 40. If mommy knows whether her baby is actively sucking or is just playing around, you can follow this advice: wait until he is full, give him another 5 minutes to enjoy and wean him off the breast.

The first few months after birth - definitely feed. Circadian rhythms (including daily routine and food intake), according to which all people live, are developed gradually. For babies, it makes no difference what time is on the clock, whether the moon is shining or the sun. In their life, the main thing is the needs of their body, among which hunger is one of the most powerful. Without satisfying it, he will not be able to fall asleep (and will not let you), and will not develop properly.

At home, children begin to sleep 6 or more hours at night between the ages of 4 and 11 months (again, this is very individual). Therefore, there is only one piece of advice: follow the baby’s needs. Save the night feedings until he wakes up for a really big meal. If you notice that he sucks reluctantly, quickly falls asleep without eating the usual portion, it’s time to give water instead of milk and after a few days stop feeding at night altogether.

Anytime, as long as it’s comfortable for both of you. At first, while learning feeding skills and getting used to each other, it is easier to do this while sitting in a chair with armrests or lying on your side. So the mother’s breasts hang slightly over the baby’s face, giving the areola the most suitable form, and milk can be sucked with less effort.

Read more about the selection rules and options for positions for feeding babies here.

For a baby, the only “native” and safest source of both food and liquid is mother’s milk. A healthy baby does not need supplemental water. Therefore, taking the initiative immediately after childbirth, asking for a bottle, and even more so boiling water yourself, will harm your child.

In the maternity hospital, a pediatrician may advise drinking water in the following situations:

• dehydration of a child due to too much high temperature indoor air (more often in the summer heat);
• the need to help the baby cope with physiological jaundice.

After being discharged home, as long as the little one is exclusively breastfed, the only reason to give him water is his overheating.

Can. You can give me smoked sausage and pickled cucumber. And pamper them with oranges on the occasion of their birth. The result will still be approximately the same: many hours of screaming due to painful intestinal colic, diathesis and problems with stool. Because ANY food except breast milk, is completely foreign to the baby. It takes time for his intestines and the immune system ripe and ready to accept other food. Have you seen animals push away their young, giving them to other mothers-nurses: a dog to a horse, a cat to a goat? Why should a healthy little person from a healthy mother be fed a formula based on cow's milk? No comments needed.

There are very few situations in which a woman who has given birth does not have milk, or there are long-term medical contraindications for breastfeeding. Not a single richest laboratory in the World has been able to invent an artificial substitute for mother's milk that matches it in value. Only breast-feeding for at least 6 months it will provide the baby with physical and mental health, and his mother – a volcano of unforgettable positive emotions.

How surprising it would be for our grandmothers and great-grandmothers to know that breastfeeding now raises so many questions! Previously, this was the most common and natural process, but now establishing breastfeeding requires consultation and detailed information.

Let's try to understand the nuances and rules. Let's start from the very beginning.

To ensure that feeding your baby does not cause you any inconvenience, you must prepare comfortable conditions for yourself. Children eat differently, some are active and drink milk greedily, others are distracted and prolong their pleasure with a truly gourmet approach.

In any case, you and your baby will not “get it done” in a couple of minutes, so try to get comfortable.

To prevent your back from getting stiff and your shoulders and arms not getting tired, think about how you will breastfeed your baby, where you will sit or lie. We'll talk about feeding positions a little later, but for now we'll just take into account the basic requirements for your convenience.

1. A soft chair with a cushion under the back is well suited for feeding.
2. It would be nice if it is possible to organize some kind of footrest.
3. Your hands should be free to hold your baby and guide his mouth. The more relaxed your posture is, the calmer you feel, the more comfortable your child will be.
4. Take care of the lighting. No need for bright lamp or sunlight hit the baby right in the eyes, but even in complete darkness there is a greater chance that the child will fall asleep without eating.
5. You might want to take advantage of some of the benefits of civilization if your baby eats for quite a long time. Let you have a book, a cup of tea (just not hot), and a telephone nearby, just in case - so you don’t have to jump up, disturbing the child.

Now that you have prepared a comfortable and cozy place for feeding, you should decide in what position you would prefer to feed your baby. The correct posture when feeding will ensure comfort for the baby, correct latching of the breast and comfort for the mother.

In what position would it be better to feed an infant? Typically, women breastfeed while sitting. It was for this classic position that we arranged our place for feeding.

In this position, mothers prefer to feed during the day. For night feeding or for breastfeeding a newborn baby, the lying position is very comfortable.

The mother should sit leaning back in her chair, holding the baby in the crook of her arm. The baby's head is slightly raised.

Very convenient for night feedings. The mother lies on her side and places the baby on the side facing her. If necessary, you can put the baby on a pillow, but, basically, mothers put the baby's head on their forearm, as if hugging him.

The mother places a pillow under her shoulders and places the baby on her stomach, turning his head towards the chest. This position is convenient at the beginning of feeding, when milk flows like a fountain - there is no risk of choking.

When you and your baby learn to understand each other perfectly, you will probably find other options for feeding positions that will be comfortable for both of you.

A newborn is born and almost immediately feels the appearance of an appetite. While he was in his mother’s warm “house,” he did not feel hungry, since he constantly received nutrients through the umbilical cord. Now everything is different, and he needs to eat differently.

Babies know how to eat immediately from the moment they appear and instinctively gravitate towards their mother’s breast. By the way, early latching of the baby to the breast in the maternity hospital is based on this instinct.

It is advisable to do this in the very first minutes after the birth of the child, thereby forming in him the correct ideas about latching on to the breast, and in the mother’s body “launching” the processes of lactation.

If you don't immediately teach your newborn how to latch correctly, this can lead to problems. Improper grip can cause cracks and bruises in a woman, cause lumps and other painful complications, and in a child - air entering the ventricle, flatulence and bloating.

By the way, how do you remove the breast from a child? Some young mothers complain that the child does not “give” the breast to her, causing severe pain.

Important! Never pull the breast out of your baby's mouth. He holds it quite tightly in his mouth, and may not agree with your idea at all. By pulling your breast out of your baby's mouth, you risk hurting yourself and even injuring her.

What not to do?

Some mothers suggest pinching the baby's nose to force him to let go of the breast. This is not worth doing! Firstly, this is very unpleasant for the child, and secondly, when trying to breathe, the baby instinctively leans back. Yes, yes, with your nipple in my mouth. It can be very painful.

How often should I feed my baby breast milk? How long? Each mother decides these issues for herself independently. There are two points of view on this matter, each of which has its followers and admirers.

Feeding on demand means that the mother gives the baby the breast as often as the baby asks for it. This method of feeding is recommended by WHO experts as the most healthy and natural.

Scheduled feeding

However, you can breastfeed according to a schedule. Many pediatricians believe, by the way, that this method also has a right to exist.

The most important thing is that the mother learns to understand her child. If he asks for breastfeeding, it always means that he is hungry and malnourished. The baby needs constant confidence that his mother is nearby, and only physical contact can provide him with this.

That is why the ideal option would be to feed according to the schedule... established by the child himself. At first, latching onto the mother's breast very often, over time the baby himself reaches a more or less stable rhythm.

Once you get used to it, you will know for sure that your baby is getting exactly what he needs.

Many women, when talking about breastfeeding, imagine with horror a lot of complications and painful sensations. Actually this is not true. Proper feeding will provide you with complete comfort and no problems.

But so that you have information and are prepared, we will tell you about the most common difficulty of breastfeeding - lactostasis.

Lactostasis, or otherwise stagnation of milk, occurs due to various reasons, but is by no means a mandatory component of breastfeeding. Be armed with information, do everything right and this trouble will pass you by.

The causes of milk stagnation may be the following:

• chest compression: sleeping on the same side, wearing an overly tight bra;
• feeding the baby in only one position, when not all ducts are involved;
• long breaks in feeding or excessive pumping, as a result of which more milk is produced than the baby can eat;
• fatty foods and/or an insufficient amount liquids in the mother's diet.

The main salvation for lactostasis is decanting. Of course, there may be painful sensations, but it is better to endure now than to lead to inflammation.

Before pumping, apply a warm compress to your breasts and knead congestion points. The most the best option There will be frequent latching of the baby to the breast.

To avoid stagnation, be sure to follow breastfeeding guidelines and feed your baby on demand.

It's pretty complex issue and every mother decides it herself. However, we note that according to WHO and UNICEF recommendations, breastfeeding is considered beneficial until a child is 2 years old!

Medical research shows that breast milk provides the baby not only with nutrition, but also with immunity and natural protection against disease. In modern countries with a high level of development of medicine and hygiene, breastfeeding a child up to one year is considered optimal and quite sufficient.

Of course, circumstances may vary, but the main points that characterize the appropriate time for weaning are as follows:

1. The child knows how to go to bed

Many young mothers have the misconception that a baby is born with the ability to breastfeed correctly. But in practice it turns out that this is not the case, and the baby takes the breast incorrectly. The mother’s task is to gradually and consistently teach the baby this skill. First of all, you should stock up on patience and free time. It is also worth listening to the advice of breastfeeding specialists and the opinions of pediatricians.

Causes

There are certain explanations why the baby does not latch onto the breast correctly. The main reasons for this situation are the following:

• The mother is feeding the baby from a bottle, or the baby is sucking on a pacifier. These factors create improper nipple latching, which naturally affects breastfeeding.
• Stagnation of milk. The longer the mother delays the feeding process, the more difficult it is for the baby to latch. This situation can also arise when the baby sucks only one breast during feeding. In this case, experts advise to be sure to express milk from the other breast after finishing feeding.
• Incorrect posture. It happens that the mother’s breast covers the baby’s nose during feeding, and it becomes difficult for him to breathe. In this case, the baby begins to spin and releases the nipple from his mouth. A similar situation can arise during a runny nose in a baby.
• The baby may refuse to eat if the mother has cracked nipples. They bleed and change the taste of milk.
• It is difficult for a baby to breastfeed due to physiological characteristics: short frenulum, tone of facial muscles.
• The child is premature and weak.

Do not forget that there are sloth babies who simply do not want to exert themselves, and they quickly fall asleep during feeding. Pediatricians say that in such children, the hunger center in the brain matures quite slowly. Therefore, they gain weight more slowly. But there is no need to worry or interrupt breastfeeding. Sooner or later this center will mature, and the baby will begin to eat more actively.

Proper latching of the baby to the breast

It is quite easy to understand that your baby is not latching onto the breast correctly. The main signs of improper nipple latching are:

• a woman’s breasts begin to hurt during feeding;
• Cracks in the nipples may appear.

Normally, the feeding process itself should not cause any anxiety or pain to the young mother. The baby must suckle the breast in such a way that the woman does not feel pain: he reflexively lowers his tongue onto his lower lip, thereby protecting the breast from painful contact and compression. In this case, the nipple is directed towards the baby's sky, and it captures most of the areola.

How to get your baby to eat?

So, if a baby doesn't latch on correctly, what should a mom do? Stop feeding completely? Of course not. First of all, don’t be nervous and calm down. Secondly, do not interrupt attempts to teach the baby to grasp the nipple correctly. If a woman wants to maintain lactation and teach her baby to latch onto the breast correctly, then she should listen to the advice of specialists.

• First you need to find out why the baby began to latch on the breast incorrectly.
• It is necessary to offer your baby the breast as often as possible, not only for feeding, but also to soothe or before bed.
• Mommy needs to remain calm, not get irritated and not use force. This can only change the situation for the worse.
• Stop using pacifiers and pacifiers for a while. The baby gets used to sucking from a bottle, as it is much easier to do. Until the baby learns to latch onto the breast correctly, you can supplement it with a syringe, spoon or pipette. At the same time, you need to constantly offer the breast.
• Start feeding not on time, but on demand. This method of feeding on a schedule is a thing of the past. Babies who are constantly with their mother sleep and eat much better.
• Some pediatricians recommend starting to practice co-sleeping with your mother. They say that this will help improve feeding.
• The mother needs to be with the baby as often as possible, take him in her arms and stroke him.
• It is necessary to create comfortable conditions for feeding: choose the right position, muffle all extraneous sounds, turn off bright lights and clear the room of unnecessary people. Don't be afraid to experiment with your choice of poses. This will help you choose the right one for yourself and your baby, in which both will be comfortable.

If the mother cannot cope with the problem on her own, then you need to seek help from a pediatrician or a breastfeeding specialist.

Choosing a feeding position

If the baby does not latch onto the breast correctly, then you need to pay attention to the position during feeding. Perhaps the baby is simply uncomfortable, and this is the main reason for improper nipple latching. First you need to take the baby in your arms and pay attention to the position of his body and head. The mother's hand provides support for the baby's back and neck. Some women prefer to feed lying down, on their side, in which case the baby lies nearby. There are several poses for breastfeeding child, which will be comfortable for both the baby and the mother, and will ensure complete release of the mammary glands.

Feeding while lying down

Many young mothers prefer to feed their baby in this position. The woman lies on her side, slightly raising herself on her elbow, and the baby is located nearby. Its head is at chest level. The baby should be turned to face you and lightly held by the back. You don’t have to lean on your elbow, but put the baby on your arm, as if hugging him. The baby takes the breast that is closest to him. When changing breasts, you should turn over to the other side.

Cradle

This is the simplest and most common feeding position. The mother takes the baby in her arms in such a way that his head is located on the bend of her elbow, and her hand supports the small body. The woman also supports the child with her other hand. A variation of this pose is the “cross cradle”. The baby's head lies on left hand mother, and with her right hand she holds the head. Experts say that if a baby takes the breast incorrectly, it should be applied in this way.

"Out of hand"

In this case, mom sits on the sofa or bed. You need to put a pillow under your back. The second pillow is for the baby. She is placed next to her, and the baby is on top so that he can easily reach the nipple. The baby is turned towards himself, and his legs are behind his mother's back. This pose is also called “from under the arm.” It is perfect for mothers of twins.

Overhang

If your newborn is not latching on correctly, you can try the overhang position. The baby lies in the crib, and the mother gives him the breast while standing, as if hanging over him. Pediatricians recommend this position for weakened babies who find it difficult to feed, and for women with lactostasis. But for long-term feeding this position is uncomfortable.

Nipple latching rules

If the baby begins to latch onto the breast incorrectly, the first thing the mother needs to do is pay attention to how he takes the nipple. Correct position When feeding, the nipple is positioned at the level of the baby's nose. Intuitively, the baby opens his mouth and latch onto the breast. If the baby is experiencing difficulties, then the mother should help him. If the baby succeeds, the nipple touches the palate. Feeding experts suggest that young mothers do the following test: stick a finger into the baby’s mouth, and if the baby pulls it in correctly, a vacuum is created that makes it difficult to easily pull the finger back out. The nipple should not slip off during feeding.

If the mother hears smacking, then this is the first sign that the baby is sucking incorrectly. Normally, if you look from below, your baby's tongue should be visible between the breast and the baby's lower lip. Another sign that your baby is latching onto the nipple correctly is that his cheeks are puffy. If they are retracted, then the baby has taken the breast incorrectly. In this case, you should repeat the procedure for attaching the baby to the breast. It is also important to ensure that the baby does not rest his nose on his mother’s chest. This will make breathing difficult and he will not be able to latch onto the nipple properly.

Signs that your baby is not latching on correctly and is swallowing air are:

• the child makes strange sounds;
• his mouth is not open wide;
• there is one nipple in the baby’s mouth (in this case the areola is visible);
• after feeding, the nipple remains the same shape;
• mom feels pain;
• The baby gains little weight.

What could be the consequences? If the baby does not take the breast correctly, he does not get enough to eat because he does not receive the required amount of milk. As a result, the child becomes restless, capricious, and has trouble sleeping.

How to teach a baby to latch correctly?

There are several ways to establish proper sucking.

• In order for the baby to open his mouth, you need to lightly press on the chin.
• You can pass the nipple across the baby's lips, after which he will definitely grab the nipple.
• The nipple should be directed not to the lips, but to the baby’s nose. This will ensure proper grip.

Some babies need constant training until they learn to latch on correctly. Reviews from mothers say that there were cases when it was necessary to make 20-30 attempts per application. Sometimes training was delayed even for 2-3 months. The main thing is not to despair and keep trying. The child will learn sooner or later, and feeding will not be a burden.

It is equally important to know how to remove the nipple from the baby’s mouth if necessary. After all, it happens that the baby falls asleep during feeding and the mother is afraid to wake him up. The only way that will not cause concern to the baby is to insert the tip of the little finger into the corner of the baby’s lips and gently unclench the gums.

How can you tell if your baby is full?

A breastfed baby may gain weight more slowly than bottle-fed babies. This is considered the norm. The main thing is that it completely sucks out the required amount. If a newborn does not latch on properly, he may not have enough milk and gain weight even more slowly. To understand whether the baby has enough milk, the mother needs to analyze the following:

• Amount of urine. Normally, 4-5 diapers (completely wet) should be changed per day.
• Daily stool, which should be liquid for the baby and at least 5 times a day. The stool turns light brown.
• After feeding, a woman feels that her breasts are completely empty.

A well-fed baby worries less and sleeps better. But this criterion is not decisive, since other factors can also affect sleep.

So, if the baby does not latch on the breast, there is no need to be alarmed. The mother must be patient, persistent and try to maintain breastfeeding. It is important to continue to latch your baby to the breast, gradually teaching him how to latch onto the nipple correctly until he succeeds.

The period of breastfeeding is an important stage in a child’s life, because it is during this period that the intestines are populated with specific microflora and the immune system is being formed. How physiologically these processes will proceed depends on how correctly the feeding technique is carried out.

One of the most important issues- correct attachment of the newborn to the breast. Let's look at it from all sides.

Preparation for the process

1. Prepare the mammary glands.

Before each time you put your baby to the breast, it is important to wash not only the nipple itself, but also the areola around it with baby soap, then rinse the nipple with running water and pat dry with a clean towel. This must be done in order to mechanically remove those microorganisms that live on human skin. Women who do not properly treat their breasts risk creating gastrointestinal problems for their child. For example, Staphylococcus aureus, which often enters the child’s intestines from the surface of an unprepared mammary gland, can lead to a severe form of dysbiosis that is difficult to treat with drugs.

2. Stimulate lactogenesis (more milk production).

Drink a cup of hot tea 15–20 minutes before feeding. It is advisable that this be a special herbal mixture to improve lactation (with rose hips, anise, fennel). You can prepare this tea yourself at home or purchase it at a pharmacy.

Contrast shower of the mammary glands immediately before feeding stimulates the milk ducts and increases lactogenesis.

In moments of feeding

Concentrate on the process: do not be distracted by watching TV shows or talking with relatives. If there is enough milk, then the baby should receive it at one feeding only from one breast. If there is not enough milk, then you can offer the baby the second breast. In this case, it is important to start subsequent feeding with the breast that the child received last and only then apply the baby to the fuller one.

Feeding the baby should be done strictly on demand. It is important to apply it to the breast at night, and in no case resort to formula feeding at this time.

Feeding algorithm

1. Provoke the baby to latch on to the nipple.

A hungry child has a heightened search reflex. To provoke it, it is enough to “tickle” the skin near the corner of the baby’s mouth a little with the nipple, who will immediately open his lips and look for the breast offered to him by his mother.

2. Make sure your baby is latching on correctly.

Not only the nipple, but also the areola should enter the baby’s mouth. It is important that the grip is as tight as possible. During the feeding process, the mother should pay attention to this Special attention, because otherwise the child will suffer from frequent regurgitation and intestinal colic, and the woman risks developing painful cracked nipples. To achieve the correct latch, you need to offer the breast to the baby not superficially, putting only the nipple into his oral cavity, but insert the gland more confidently and completely. A nursing woman should not hear any whistling sounds characteristic of improper sucking.

3. Monitor the act of feeding, namely:

• Does the child accompany sucking movements with swallowing movements? Physiologically, the child makes 7–8 sucking movements, after which he takes a short break and resumes the process. For every 4–5 sucking movements, the baby makes one swallow. If the act of swallowing occurs much less frequently or does not occur at all, you need to pay attention to the amount of milk and assess whether there is a deficiency.
• Are the nasal passages of the baby blocked? It is important to ensure that the mammary gland does not block the child’s nasal passages. Cases have been described in which women who fell asleep while breastfeeding deprived their children of the ability to breathe, which led to tragic consequences.
• So that the baby actually eats and does not sleep at the breast. A baby who is properly attached to the breast receives the bulk of milk during the first 10-15 minutes of active sucking. After this time, much less milk enters the ducts. It takes about 20-25 minutes for a child to fully eat. It is not advisable to keep the baby at the breast for more than half an hour; it is better to offer him to eat later, when he feels hungry again.

After feeding

After the baby has eaten, gently pull the breast toward you and remove it from the baby’s mouth (by the end of feeding, the baby is usually asleep). To avoid injury to the delicate skin of the nipple and the appearance of cracks, it is recommended to lubricate it with oil (baby, Vaseline, peach) or a specialized restorative product. lipid layer skin (for example, Bepanten cream or ointment).

If the baby does not fall asleep during feeding, then to prevent regurgitation, it is necessary to keep him in an upright position for some time (10–15 minutes).

How to understand that the baby has latched onto the breast correctly

A baby, properly attached to the breast, calms down and does not make chaotic movements with his arms and legs. He actively sucks milk, making one swallowing movement for several sucking movements. Nothing interferes with his nasal breathing. The nipple and areola of the mother's breast are tightly covered by the baby's lips; there are no pathological sounds (whistles, grunts, snoring) during feeding.

If suddenly something goes wrong and some of these conditions are not met, do not panic. Gently remove the breast from the baby's mouth and offer it again. The chest should be presented confidently, and the baby’s lips should cover it tightly.

Causes of improper latch on of the mammary gland by a child

1. The baby is offered only the nipple.

The mother needs to place the breast in the baby’s mouth in such a way that he can also grasp the areola.

2. Nasal breathing is blocked by the gland.

3. Flat nipple.

Many breastfeeding women face this problem. Due to anatomical features, the female nipple can be very small (flat): the child cannot grasp it at all, or after grasping it, the nipple slips out of the baby’s mouth. A solution to the problem can be special silicone pads used to organize physiological feeding of the child.

4. The baby has a short frenulum of the tongue.

It is difficult for a child to make both grasping and sucking movements. The condition may be suspected by the mother or pediatrician after examination and confirmed after consultation with a dentist.

5. Congenital anomalies of the maxillofacial apparatus of the child.

These include cleft of the upper or lower lip, cleft of the hard and soft palate, as well as other congenital defects of the maxillofacial apparatus. It is often impossible to correct the child's breast latch in such cases. Feeding is carried out with expressed human milk from a baby bottle with a specially designed nipple.

What can interfere with the baby's feeding process?

There are cases when the technique of attaching a baby to the breast is carried out correctly, but he quickly stops sucking.

This may happen in the following cases.

1. Hygiene of the child’s nasal cavity has not been carried out.

Crusts that form in the baby’s nasal passages during breathing can partially or completely block their lumen and interfere with proper sucking. It is necessary to remove them regularly (every morning and as crusts appear) with a cotton swab dipped in Vaseline oil.

2. There is no milk in the mother's breast.

The child is restless, “tears” his chest, arches in his mother’s arms. During the next feeding, a woman needs to check whether milk is flowing through the ducts. In this case, she needs to press on the nipple and express 2-3 streams. If milk is released drop by drop or not at all, you need to offer the baby a second breast. Also, a mother can notice a lack of milk by dry diapers (a decrease in the number of acts of urination, a decrease in the single volume of urine), the absence or decrease in the frequency of bowel movements during the day.

Immediately after giving birth, a woman does not have milk, but she does have colostrum, a colorless liquid that appears in the breasts in the second trimester of pregnancy. Colostrum contains a huge amount of useful substances in concentrated form. They are able to protect the newborn from infectious diseases and intestinal disorders, and allow the baby to organize full-fledged immune protection. Colostrum is 100% absorbed by the baby. It is very important that the baby receives his first food as quickly as possible, because during pregnancy he is accustomed to the fact that food is supplied to him around the clock, without any effort, that he does not know such a feeling of hunger and is afraid of these new, unpleasant sensations.

Early attachment of a newborn to the mother's breast is of particular importance for women. In the process of sucking female body The production of a special hormone oxytocin is activated, which promotes uterine contraction and prevents postpartum bleeding. In addition, the formation of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for the amount of breast milk, is triggered.

This is why the first breastfeeding, which ideally should occur within half an hour after birth, is so important for both the baby and his mother. It’s great if the baby receives about 50 ml of colostrum. Therefore, take your time, feed your little miracle properly, let him understand that he has come to a cozy and kind world.

How to breastfeed your baby correctly?

A newborn who has just been born does not know or understand how he should now receive nutrition, because before everything happened by itself, but what now? It should be noted that during pregnancy, all babies master the general principle of sucking. Also, while in their mother’s tummy, they suck their fingers and fists, developing a sucking reflex. Therefore, immediately after birth, the baby instinctively opens its mouth, sticks out its tongue, trying to find a source of food. This is where the mother must put the baby to her breast, filled with colostrum. Moreover, it is important to do this in such a way that the baby and you feel comfortable. With proper latching on the breast, the baby will never injure you and will not swallow air. Therefore, it is advisable to master feeding techniques while still in the maternity hospital. How to properly breastfeed a newborn:

• Step 1. Take a comfortable position. You can feed your baby while sitting, lying down or standing. It is important to follow the basic rule - the torso and face of the newborn must be in the same plane. It is advisable for mom to relax, the main thing is calm and comfort. You can put pillows under your back or cover yourself with a blanket if it’s cool, because feeding takes quite a long time. How to breastfeed a baby while lying down? Yes, just like sitting, the basic principles remain the same.
• Step 2. We take the baby, holding him tightly to us, the head should be opposite the chest, the mouth should be at the level of the areola (brown circle around the nipple). Make sure that the baby's head is not thrown back and that the shoulders do not sag between your arms. , the other to feed and guide the chest.
• Step 3. Start feeding. Big and index finger We squeeze the areola of the breast from which we will give milk, achieving the appearance of a fold. We place it parallel to the baby’s lips. We pass the tip of the nipple along the baby's lips, wait until he opens his mouth wide, making sure that his tongue lies on the lower gum, and at this moment we pull him towards us, putting the areola deeper into his mouth. Please note that we are not bringing the breast closer to the baby, but bringing him closer to ourselves.
• Step 4. Feed. After the baby begins to eat vigorously, you can remove your fingers from the areola and relax. In the first days, you will have to start feeding several times, since the baby will turn his head, lose his breasts, and fall asleep while feeding. It is important to patiently and persistently insert the areola into his mouth, at least a centimeter. Then the baby, while eating, will put pressure on the path of milk, stimulating its production. Remember that the baby will learn to eat correctly only by the second or third week, and a stable skill will be formed by two or three months.

How often should you breastfeed your baby?

The answer to this question worries all young mothers. Everything is simple here. In the first days, when the baby is just born, his ventricle is still very small and poorly adapted to feeding. Colostrum is absorbed very quickly and a feeling of hunger sets in. Have you noticed that the baby begins to cry, open his mouth, stick out his tongue, and try to suck his fist? It's time to put him to the breast, let him eat, don't finish feeding until he interrupts it himself. It is recommended to organize such a diet during the first 5 days after birth. On average, it turns out that the baby eats 15-20 times a day. Do not intentionally wake the baby, let everything around him coincide with his own rhythm. Around the fifth day, mommy will have a significant supply of milk and can already switch to the diet recommended by experts, approximately 10-12 times a day.

How long should you breastfeed your baby?

The optimal period for breastfeeding a child is 2 years. Previously, pediatricians insisted that a baby should be weaned off the breast every year, but today we are talking about two years. We can conclude that this decision is largely individual. There are no hard deadlines. As the baby grows, the composition of mother's milk changes, it adapts to the child's body, the amount of nutrients in it is sufficient to satisfy the needs of the growing body. Of course, starting from 6 months, additional nutrition, juices, purees, etc. are necessarily introduced. But it is not at all necessary to deny a baby breast milk if the mother has it. The end of breastfeeding varies from family to family. Trust your intuition, but try to feed your little treasure yourself for at least six months.

To watch the video from detailed instructions expert on successful breastfeeding, you can purchase our course

Young mothers, remember the main thing - the best, perfectly balanced food for a baby is breast milk. Don't worry that breastfeeding will ruin your figure and will prevent you from losing the weight you gained during pregnancy. These are all myths.

Breastfeeding is the key to the health of not only the baby, but also the excellent health and amazing beauty of his mother!

Whether a mother will be able to breastfeed her baby for a long time and with pleasure largely depends on how she does it in the first week after giving birth. Our tips will help you get through the difficult period of starting lactation without hassle.

When to start feeding your newborn

Surely, you have more than once watched with emotion videos in which newly born baby animals, hobbling on legs trembling from weakness or funny moving their paws, reach for their mother’s nipple. These tiny, often still blind lumps are controlled by a powerful force - the thirst for life. This is how nature ordered it.

AND the health of a little man largely depends on how quickly after birth he is put to the breast. The colostrum released in the first hours is a real mother’s blessing for her baby to lead an independent life. This is a powerful amulet against many infectious (and other) diseases and an invaluable source of nutrients.

Unfortunately, colostrum very quickly loses its beneficial properties, remaining just a high-calorie food after just a few hours. Therefore, for many years the World Health Organization has strongly recommended All babies should be put to the breast immediately after birth. Not for feeding - for a healthy future.

Not all children, being in a state of postpartum stress, are able to immediately actively suck. Don't worry: the first tiny drops of colostrum are easily released when you press on the areola. The baby will just have to lick them off. Then he will sleep soundly for several hours, resting after a difficult period of childbirth. But when should a mother start to really feed him, teaching him to latch on correctly - read.

How to properly attach a baby to the breast

With the correct latching technique, feeding does not cause any difficulties for either the mother or the baby. Please note: the child will latch onto the nipple correctly if he not only has his mouth open, but also his tongue is stuck out a little forward and curved in the shape of a boat. Then he will accept mother’s breasts tenderly, as if in folded palms, and he will suck on them so that the movements of his rough tongue will give mother unearthly pleasure.

The technique of proper breastfeeding is described in detail. Compliance with it will 99% protect a woman from the formation of monstrously painful nipple cracks, from lactostasis and mastitis. And the baby will not suffer from intestinal colic and endless regurgitation.

How to properly remove the nipple from your baby's mouth

In fact, the baby does not suck milk, but presses the skin of the nipple and areola to the palate, while actively moving the tongue in the direction from the gums to the pharynx. That is, the milk is, as it were, squeezed out of the milk passages, and very quickly, since a negative pressure is created in the oral cavity, which has a strong suction property. If at this time you try to remove the breast from the child, removing the nipple from the mouth, you will most likely achieve nothing but severe and painful overstretching of the areola skin. As a result, nipple cracks form, heal poorly and quickly increase due to constant skin irritation with frequent feedings.

How to take breasts from a toddler without unpleasant consequences? The easiest way - slightly open his gums by entering through the corner of his mouth with the tip of your finger. Air will enter the oral cavity through the gap that forms, and the pressure will equalize. All you have to do is apply a little pressure on the skin of the breast near the baby’s lips so that the nipple pops out on its own.

The second option is slower - lightly press the baby’s chin and hold it there. You will feel how your finger prevents it from pressing hard on your gums and pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. With each movement of the lower jaw, the suction force will decrease, and soon the baby will release the nipple on its own.

Often mothers try to hold the baby’s nose so that he, gasping for breath, opens his mouth and releases his breast. This is not physiological and can be dangerous for the baby. Children breathe very quickly (at least 40 breaths per minute) and do not know how to hold their breath. Imagine what will happen if the baby feels a lack of oxygen at the moment when there is a lot of milk in his mouth? By abruptly throwing the chest, he can take a strong breath, aspirating (inhaling) food into the lungs. As a result, at the very least, a suffocating cough attack that frightens the mother cannot be avoided, and in the worst case scenario, the baby will develop aspiration pneumonia.

How often to feed a newborn

Today “on demand” feeding is considered optimal for newborns. That is, the mother gives the baby breast every time he gets hungry. How to determine whether he really wants to eat - see.

After birth, the baby's stomach volume is approximately 2 ml. Every day it increases, reaching 70 ml by the end of the week. This means that at first, even despite the high calorie content of colostrum, the baby will ask to eat very often. We'll have to be patient. By the time of discharge from the maternity hospital home, the interval between feedings will be from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

What does it depend on?:

• on gestational age, maturity, weight of the child;
• on his temperament (there are lazy children or active suckers);
• on the baby’s health condition.

How long to feed a newborn

Uniform recommendations for infants over 2 weeks - no more than 40 minutes. It has been proven that the baby drinks about 90% of milk in the first 5 minutes, and then simply satisfies his need for sucking. The exception is the so-called “lazy suckers”, for whom the characteristics of temperament or health do not allow them to actively work. But even these babies, if you wake them up well before feeding, fill up in 7-10 minutes, then fall asleep soundly and only lick the nipple or passively swallow the milk squeezed into their mouth. No matter how many months the mother has been breastfeeding, if the areola is irritated for longer than 40 minutes, there is a risk of nipple cracks.

For newborns the rule is different. The babies are still weak, their stomach volume is small, and colostrum is very high in calories. A woman’s breast skin is delicate and sensitive – the risk of cracks is the highest. Therefore, 5 minutes are allocated for active sucking in the first two days, 10 on the third, then you can add 5 minutes every day, gradually reaching 40. If mommy knows whether her baby is actively sucking or is just playing around, you can follow this advice: wait until he is full, give him another 5 minutes to enjoy and wean him off the breast.

Should I feed my newborn at night?

The first few months after birth - definitely feed. Circadian rhythms (including daily routine and food intake), according to which all people live, are developed gradually. For babies, it makes no difference what time is on the clock, whether the moon is shining or the sun. In their life, the main thing is the needs of their body, among which hunger is one of the most powerful. Without satisfying it, he will not be able to fall asleep (and will not let you), and will not develop properly.

At home, children begin to sleep 6 or more hours at night between the ages of 4 and 11 months (again, this is very individual). Therefore, there is only one piece of advice: follow the baby’s needs. Save the night feedings until he wakes up for a really big meal. If you notice that he sucks reluctantly, quickly falls asleep without eating the usual portion, it’s time to give water instead of milk and after a few days stop feeding at night altogether.

In what position to feed a newborn

Anytime, as long as it’s comfortable for both of you. At first, while learning feeding skills and getting used to each other, it is easier to do this while sitting in a chair with armrests or lying on your side. This way, the mother’s breasts hang slightly over the baby’s face, giving the areola the most suitable shape, and milk can be sucked with less effort.

Read more about the selection rules and options for positions for feeding babies.

Should I give my newborn baby water?

For a baby, the only “native” and safest source of both food and liquid is mother’s milk. A healthy baby does not need supplemental water. Therefore, taking the initiative immediately after childbirth, asking for a bottle, and even more so boiling water yourself, will harm your child.

In the maternity hospital, a pediatrician may advise drinking water in the following situations:

• dehydration of the child due to too high room temperature (more often in the summer heat);
• the need to help the baby cope with.

After being discharged home, as long as the little one is exclusively breastfed, the only reason to give him water is his overheating.

Is it possible to feed formula to a newborn?

Can. You can give me smoked sausage and pickled cucumber. And pamper them with oranges on the occasion of their birth. The result will still be approximately the same: many hours of screaming due to painful intestinal colic, diathesis and problems with stool. Because ANY food other than breast milk is completely foreign to a baby. It takes time for his intestines and immune system to mature and be ready to accept other foods. Have you seen animals push away their young, giving them to other mothers-nurses: a dog to a horse, a cat to a goat? Why should a healthy little person from a healthy mother be fed a formula based on cow's milk? No comments needed.

There are very few situations in which a woman who has given birth does not have milk, or there are long-term medical contraindications for breastfeeding. Not a single richest laboratory in the World has been able to invent an artificial substitute for mother's milk that matches it in value. Only breastfeeding for at least 6 months will provide the baby with physical and mental health, and his mother - a volcano of unforgettable positive emotions.