Breastfeeding Newborn Baby: What To Expect In The First Few Months?
Motherhood is endowed with so many experiences that can transform the perspective of a woman and empower her to always think of her child before herself.
Motherhood is endowed with so many experiences that can transform the perspective of a woman and empower her to always think of her child before herself.
One such experience that deserves a stand-alone mention is breastfeeding. Breast milk is known as liquid gold and for all the right reasons. It is one of the primary sources of nutrition for a newborn baby. However, the goodness of breast milk isn’t just restricted to its nutrient qualities. In this blog, we shall talk about the manner of breastfeeding newborns and also touch upon the benefits of doing so.
Understanding How To Breastfeed Newborn Baby
When we talk about breastfeeding a newborn baby, some things have to be kept in mind. Let us take a look at some important pointers:
Position
A good position will facilitate a good latch. Hold your baby’s head delicately in the crook of your elbow. You can use nursing accessories such as a feeding pillow to ensure an appropriate breastfeeding position.
Establish A Breastfeeding Routine
Newborn babies should be breastfed every 2-3 hours. However, every baby has a different appetite and therefore the duration and time intervals can vary. Generally, the breastfeeding duration for a newborn should be 5-10 minutes on each side. A good latch will ensure that your little bundle of joy can drink sufficient milk and satisfy his/her hunger. (1) Mothers should try to breastfeed on cue. Look for hunger signs such as cooing, rooting and sucking.
Use Breastfeeding Accessories
To make newborn breastfeeding time a comfortable experience for yourself and your little one, you can use feeding accessories like feeding pillows, breast pumps, nipple creams, nipple pads, etc. Each accessory serves a specific purpose to support you through your breastfeeding days.
Benefits Of Breastfeeding Newborns
The following benefits can be attributed to breastfeeding:
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Improved Immunity And Brain Health
Breastfeeding doesn’t just replenish all the necessary nutrients but also emboldens your child’s immunity and brain development. By breastfeeding your newborn, you can enable your little bundle of joy to develop the necessary antibodies that help them ward off diseases and infections.
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Bonding Time With The Baby
Breastfeeding is a great way for the mom and the baby to connect. These priceless bonding moments get etched into the minds of the mother and child and promote holistic well-being for both of them.
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Promotes Hormonal Balance
Breastfeeding can be of great help to a new mother in promoting hormonal balance. This is an effective remedy for managing postpartum depression or pregnancy blues as well. Moreover, Breastfeeding can also enable a woman to manage her weight post giving birth.
We hope that the guide on breastfeeding newborn babies will help you tread along this enriching journey in a well-informed and seamless manner. To that end, you can visit The Mom Store to pick out comfortable nursing outfits, nursing bras, and various other accessories that can be your trusted ally along this journey. So, mothers, we wish you all the best as you set forth on this beautifully rewarding journey for yourself and your baby.
FAQs on breastfeeding newborn
Q. What to expect when breastfeeding for the first time?
When we talk about how to breastfeed a newborn baby, we need to remember that the milk supply takes almost a month to establish itself properly. Moreover, the baby’s ability to latch onto the nipple isn’t also up to mark the first time. Therefore, breastfeeding is a journey that might seem difficult in the beginning, but it gets better with time.
Q. How often should I breastfeed?
Newborn breastfeeding time varies depending on the baby. Most of the time when babies get cranky, it is a sign that they are craving milk. Generally, you should breastfeed your child every 2-3 hours or on cue.
Q. For how long should I breastfeed a newborn?
WHO recommends that the duration for breastfeeding newborn babies can extend up to 2 years and more if it works well for the mother and baby. However, it is also contingent upon the mother’s health and personal choice. (2)
References
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/breastfeed-often.html#
- https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/faq/index.htm#