{"id":620,"date":"2015-12-02T12:18:49","date_gmt":"2015-12-02T12:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mumblog.co.uk\/?page_id=620"},"modified":"2023-09-18T17:17:40","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T17:17:40","slug":"breastfeeding-tips-common-problems","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mumblog.co.uk\/faq\/breastfeeding-tips-common-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Breastfeeding Tips & Common Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"
Breastfeeding your baby is one of the most natural processes in the world, but not every woman finds it easy straight away. In fact, there are plenty of mothers who find breastfeeding very difficult, emotional, and sore. It can also be a lonely experience if your friends and family members all used formula, and many women in Western cultures lack the support system that can be found for breastfeeding women elsewhere in the world.<\/p>\n
Breastfeeding takes a lot of practice to get right, but once you and your baby have mastered the art, there are plenty of health benefits for the both of you, including a lower risk of developing diseases such as cancer and diabetes. It is also a wonderful way of nurturing and bonding with your baby. See our article, Benefits of Breastfeeding<\/a>, for more information.<\/p>\n If you have decided that you want to breastfeed your baby, then your midwife may be able to offer you additional support, such as a \u201cPreparation For Breastfeeding Class\u201d. Here you will be able to talk to professionals and other Mums about any concerns you might have, and learn more about the process of breastfeeding.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to do anything to your body to prepare for breastfeeding, your pregnancy and post-labour hormones will do all the work for you. Instead, just focus on keeping yourself healthy during and after your pregnancy with a balanced diet.<\/p>\n Once your baby is born, your midwife will encourage you to have what is known as \u201cskin to skin\u201d contact with your baby, where your baby is placed directly onto your chest. This serves a number purposes. Your body will provide plenty of warmth for your new baby, your baby will be reassured by the sound of your heartbeat and smell, and your body will release \u201cfeel good\u201d hormones that will assist you with the bonding process, which is a fundamental part of successful breastfeeding.<\/p>\n You can use skin-to-skin contact in the days and weeks that follow your baby\u2019s birth in order to continue that bonding process and to calm your baby when he or she is distressed.<\/p>\n Your mother or grandmother may have been told to use a strict routine when it comes to feeding their babies, but today that advice is considered out of date and could actually be harmful to your baby and the breastfeeding relationship. Instead, you should aim to feed on demand. Your baby will give you plenty of cues to let you know that he or she is hungry by \u201crooting\u201d.<\/p>\n Your baby will turn his head with his mouth open, seeking the breast. He will probably try and suck his hands and his arms may start to flail. If the breast is unavailable he will start to cry. Responding to these cues quickly will reduce the chance of your baby becoming too distressed to feed.<\/p>\n You generally can expect to feed your baby up to twelve or more times a day during the first few days. You might find that in the first day or so after labour your baby takes fewer feeds due to being sleepy, whilst at other times your baby may seem like he or she needs to feed constantly due to a growth spurt. Your baby may also \u201ccluster feed\u201d, where he or she will feed on and off for several hours during the first few weeks of breastfeeding.<\/p>\nPreparing For Breastfeeding \u2013 Before and After Labour<\/h2>\n
How Often Should I Breastfeed?<\/h2>\n
My Baby Wants To Nurse All The Time, Is This Normal?<\/h3>\n