Breastfeeding basics
After the euphoria of the birth and discharge from the clinic, coming home is not always easy. You feel overloaded and you find breastfeeding complicated and tiring. You have the impression of not being able to go out and being “locked” at home. Or maybe you also think you have too little milk and are uncertain if the baby is drinking the right amount of milk. But let’s take a calm look at things. Relax during breastfeeding. Remain calm. Imagine how lucky you are to be able to breastfeed – even if it scares you a bit and you wonder how you will manage everything! 
If your baby is crying, it’s probably hungry. Therefore, you only have a choice: breastfeed it. But you will also have to learn to tell the difference: after several weeks, the baby crying doesn’t mean exclusively that he is hungry. It can also be that his diapers are wet, he is tired, or simply that he wants to be cuddled. You will learn when to do what by paying good attention.
Generally, a newborn needs to be breastfed every 3-4 hours. As time goes by the time between feeds will increase (since the milk the baby drinks changes and the baby also drinks more at each feed).
Most babies develop an individual regular drinking pattern. In the next few pages you will find a table which shows the theoretical number of meals per day according to the baby’s age. You can check there, but remember that these are average figures. Maybe your baby drinks more often or less often, or maybe more in the mornings and less in the evenings. It will – like all people – have its own rhythm.
Also your body will adapt to the rhythm of your baby. Maybe you will experience how your breasts swell and the milk is coming, when your baby is crying (and even a few minutes before the baby gets hungry). Sometimes you will be waiting impatiently for it to wake up, after its feeding time has passed for a bit, as your breasts are already ready for feedingThe most important thing if you are breastfeeding is that you are relaxed.
Breastfeeding is a magical experience, but it takes a bit of getting used to. You are a bit afraid and wondering how it works? Don’t worry breastfeeding is something that can be learned.
Breastfeeding offers a lot of benefits:
- Human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for human babies and has all everything that is important for the development of the body and the brain of the baby.
- At any stage, even if your baby is premature, the nutrients in your breast milk re adapted to the need of the baby.
- Your milk contains antibodies that support the health of your baby and help to prevent diseases and allergies.
- The colostrum (the milk that is produced in the first days after the baby is born) helps the baby to eject the meconium.
- Breast milk is sterile, has always the right temperature, is always available and doesn’t cost anything.
- Through breastfeeding the mother and baby experience deep bonding.
- In the first weeks after the delivery, breastfeeding helps the uterus to get back to its usual size. It can be accompanied by contractions and pain, but it helps the mother to recover faster from the delivery.
Be aware that it is very important that the mother follows a balanced and healthy diet while she breastfeeds. Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol are absorbed by the body and go directly to the milk so you shouldn’t smoke, drink coffee or alcohol while you are breastfeeding.
Also inform you doctor that you are breastfeeding. Any medication, that may be prescribed for you, can be transmitted into your milk this may harm the baby.
