Motherhood is a happy and enjoyable experience. Especially for those who have received that divine ordination for the first time, besides the joy, there are many surprises, especially in breastfeeding. There are many mothers who wonder how often babies breastfeed once. How much breast-feeding should be enough? Let's find out with the Asianparent Vietnam through the article below!
How often babies breastfeed 1 time?
For babies, in the first months of life, eating and sleeping are their main activities. Each baby has a different condition, so babies' feeding is also different, no baby is the same. Newborns take a feed every time divided according to their needs and age.
About 1 week after birth, your baby's stomach can hold about 60 ml of milk. At first, the mother's body only produces a small amount of milk, suitable for the "tiny" size of the baby's stomach, later when the baby gets older, the mother's body will also naturally produce more abundant milk. . According to experts, babies should be fed between 8 and 12 feeds per day.
Each meal is about 2-3 hours apart. When it is a bit older, the interval between feeds may be longer, but not more than 4 hours. That means when you are 1-2 months old, your baby needs to nurse 7-8 times a day. The interval between feeds is just enough for the mother's body to produce milk for the baby to continue to suck on the next feed.
Breastfeeding of babies
The length of time each baby breastfeeds also depends on the baby's age. Babies under 1 month of age are not yet familiar with the breast, the weak sucking force makes the milk slow down, so they usually suck about 10 minutes for each breast, equivalent to about 20 minutes for each breastfeed. As the baby gets older, sucking techniques have gotten better and the force to suck on the breast is also stronger, so the time to suckle will also be shortened.
In addition, the way your baby latches on is also very important. There is even an opinion that if the baby is properly attached to the breast, how long it will take to breastfeed or the distance between feeds does not matter. Because if the baby is caught correctly, the amount of milk will come back evenly and more so that the baby can be full within a few minutes of continuous feeding.
Conversely, if the baby is not attached properly, the baby will not be able to breastfeed effectively. Therefore, the time of breastfeeding will last longer and the baby may ask for more frequent feeds. Furthermore, incorrect attachment can cause damage or pain in the nipples.
Should babies breastfeed?
Snacking, also known as short feeding, means that each feeding usually happens quickly and ends when the baby is not full enough. Babies often go to sleep quickly after feeding for a few minutes and only sleep for a few dozen minutes and wake up from hunger. At this time, the baby will be fussy and want to continue feeding, and of course, just suckle for a few minutes.
Snacking is not a bad habit for babies who are too young, but when the baby gets older, it will cause a lot of inconveniences for the mother as well as negative health problems for the baby when the baby cannot breastfeed (appears in the late breastfeeding).
To correct this habit for the baby, when you see your baby suckling short, do not rush to indulge your baby with the idea that it will "save" milk for the baby's later breast-feeding. Mothers also do not worry when we have less milk, not enough milk to breastfeed. Breast milk has a very specific production mechanism. In breast milk contains a protein called FIL (feedback inhibitor of lactation). This protein determines how much milk each breast produces.
If a woman breastfeeds each breast frequently, the FIL in her breasts will be low, stimulating her body to produce more milk. Therefore, mothers should breastfeed each breast before changing sides.
Recognize that your baby is getting full enough
Some signs show that the baby is getting enough milk:
When the baby is suckling, the mother can hear the baby's nipple very clearly, at the same time, she can also see the milk filling her mouth.
The baby is agile, alert, and the cry is loud.
The baby pee a lot, the urine is pale and odorless.
Baby lips are pink and wet.
Baby's skin is strong and elastic when the mother gently presses her hand.
Baby is satisfied and relaxed after breastfeeding.
Babies can sleep well within 2-3 hours.
Breasts are softer after each breast-feeding.
Signs that your baby wants to feed
Baby wiggled her head
Your baby's mouth is often open and closed or stuck out his tongue
Have a finger or a fist in their mouth
Pucker your lips as if you are sucking
Tucked into the nipples
Show a searching reflex (the baby's mouth turns to the side of something touching his cheek).
Irritated crying.
How to take care of the breast during lactation
How to take care of breasts when breastfeeding - illustration image khoedepmoingay.com
According to the advice of experts, mothers should only clean their breasts with clean water. Do not apply cleaning chemicals such as soap or shower gel directly, as they can strip the natural mucus of this area, causing breasts to become dry and cracked.
When bathing, attention should be taken gently, do not rub this area vigorously. Mothers' hands must also be sure to be clean when touching their breasts. And if you have to use a milk liner, you should change the mat regularly, because the wet environment is easy to cause bacteria to multiply, causing the skin to become infected and infect your baby. Mothers should also choose cotton milk pads that absorb well.
Besides, when the baby is finished suckling, the mother can express a little milk and apply it on the nipples and around the nipples, then wait for the milk to dry before putting the bra back on. In this way, the mother's breasts will always be kept moist and surrounded by the milk membrane, protecting against bacteria.
Hopefully, the information provided in the article will make mothers no longer worry about how often babies suckle. Having more knowledge of raising children, mothers will have great moments with their children.
See more:
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