Hey, everybody! Thanks for coming to the fantastic breastfeeding class we had with Stacey Marshall, IBCLC, from Birthingway College of Midwifery. We learned so much about the newborn nursing relationship, including: how much breast milk baby really needs day 1 through day 14 (their tummies are only the size of a cherry that first day! And, seriously, why do we always compare babies to food?! 🙂 how many wet and poopy diapers baby should have (rule of thumb — they increase about 1 per day until at about a week they should have 5+ yellowy soft stools per day); and, most importantly, how every breastfeeding relationship is unique.
Credit: Honest.com Blog
One really great take away from the class was that it’s been long thought that babies had to breastfeed for a certain length of time to receive the foremilk and the fatty hind milk. But we now know that our amazing bodies had that taken care of and there aren’t two types of milk just a gradual change in fat content as the breast is emptied.
http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/basics/foremilk-hindmilk/
Stacey also walked us through the tic-tac-toes of the breastfeeding relationship to make things easy to remember; so helpful!
Get set up with pillows or a Boppy (if necessary for your body size), have a cozy and relaxing chair and a foot rest because leaning back will encourage resting, look for a baby’s cues and reflexes that indicate she’s ready to eat. http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/hunger-cues/
Then put your sweet baby(ies) belly to belly with you and make sure she opens her mouth wide so she doesn’t just grab the nipple, but the whole space around the nipple (areola). She’ll probably want to feed approximately every three hours and make sure you’re also eating and drinking! http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-calories-fluids/
Above all, like waves, go with the flow, relax, rest and enjoy this fleeting time with your precious newborn.
Stacey, Getting Really Excited about Breasts
More tips from this great class next week.
Remember, Confidence in Breastfeeding is a free class to Birthing Stone clients, monthly at our Beaverton Studio. Classes are open to the public and are priced to be a worthwhile investment in your nursing relationship.
More great resources:
Birthingway College’s Breastfeeding Center (free in-clinic lactation support)
*These are great tips- but they aren’t medical advice. If you’re feeling challenged by nursing or have an emergency, please contact a medical provider.