If a new baby tends to sleep longer periods, it might help to waken and encourage your baby to feed more often during the day. Also, some babies ‘snack’ feed for short periods, falling asleep only to wake 20 or 30 minutes later to feed again. A baby will often suck actively for at least ten minutes on the first breast and then seems satisfied or loses interest. The trick is to stimulate before offering the first breast again, then try the 2nd breast. Babies don’t always take the second breast at every feed. However it may make all the difference if your baby feeds well then rests well and wakes up hungry and ready to feed well next time. It also promotes a bigger gap in between feeds.Other benefits for putting the baby back to the 1st breast straight away, is that it helps to effectively empty the breast thereby reducing the risk of mastitis. Which a painfull and debilitating infection which is not cured by stopping feeding at the breast (as often prescribe by GP’s)
Article by:Elizabeth Arthur
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