When the Milk Comes In
The first feedings will be short, no more than three or four minutes actual sucking on each breast. He is still learning, and the intimacy is good for him, so do not turn him off too early. Gradually, as his hunger increases and he learns how to suck to full effect, he will take longer and steadier feeding. If your baby does not at first take much each feeding and cries for more after only two hours, answer his need and feed him again. You may have to give ten or twelve feedings a day at first, but soon your breasts will be producing enough to keep him happier for longer. Put him to both breasts at each feeding, alternating the one you start with.
Read MoreColostrum
Initially there will not be any actual milk in the breast. Mother’s milk does not “come in” for two or three days or so after birth. Instead the breasts give out a clear sticky liquid called colostrums, which may vary a great deal in color-white, mustardy-yellow or gray- blue. It contains some protein and is nourishing. More important, however, colostrums are rich in the mother’s antibodies, and will give protection from many diseases in the first six months or so. This immunizing effect is lost if the baby is fed on fresh or dried cow’s milk during this time.
Read MoreFeeding the Baby
The feeding of babies is an emotional issue about which much has been written. Before the development of modern ways of sterilizing and commercial dried and liquid milk products suitable for infants, there was no real alternative to breast-feeding. Today’s mothers have clear option- some are drawn to breast-feeding; other definitely preferred the bottle.
Read MoreHolding Your Baby
For the first two months of his life a baby needs to be supported when he is not lying down. You will discover that there are two easy ways to hold him. One is similar to the position for breast-feeding, but the baby is cradled at waist rather than breast level. Initially you will need both arms. However, gradually you will become adept at adjusting his blanket or clothing with one hand and holding him with the other. Later he will become too heavy for one arm alone, and if you cradle him you will need both.
Read MorePostnatal Depression
It has also been said that “birth result in a partial lack of self.” The familiar bulge has gone suddenly, and with it the pressure inside the abdomen, and the feelings of life within. This may be one element in postnatal depression. The mother may feel as though all hope is lost; the smallest and most insignificant events can precipitate her into floods of tears. Nobody can predict beforehand whether a woman is going to be affected in this way. Some normally calm and confident women are strongly and excitable women sail through without a tear.
Read MoreChanges after Childbirth
Having a baby completely alters your way of life, and consequently many kinds of emotional adjustments must be made. No matter how thoroughly you have prepared for the event, it is impossible to anticipate all of its ramifications. If there are other children in the family, you will have to give them extra attention so that they do not feel displaced. This is especially true of stepchildren, whose new family my have been created through divorce. Additionally, both parents may have their individual anxieties about this new person and their ability to cope with him. All these emotional readjustments can precipitate a period of postnatal depression for both parents, particularly for the mother.
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