How Long Should I Breastfeed On Each Side?
As a new mom, I had this question in my mind about breastfeeding, How Long Should I Breastfeed On Each Side? Knowing about breastfeeding is an important part of being a new mother.
Experts recommend you should breastfeed your baby for at least 10 to 15 minutes on each side every two to three hours. In other words, eight to twelve times a day. Because your baby’s stomach is small, he/she requires frequent feedings to ensure he gets enough nutrition and is able to digest it.
You don’t need to worry if you need to delay your first breastfeed (if you or your baby are unstable after delivery, for instance). Once you give birth, you’ll continue to produce colostrum until your breast milk supply reaches full strength (usually two to three days after birth).
You should offer your baby both breasts at each feeding when milk is in its early stages of production. On the first breast, breastfeed for as long as your baby wishes (because each baby is different, some are fast suckers, others are slow suckers). You should watch for his cues (of hunger or fullness).
Make sure your baby gets both breasts at every feeding, but don’t worry if he seems content with just one. Each breast provides a complete meal. It is best to feed him again if you see signs of hunger early on (sooner rather than later).
Do Breastfeeding Babies Need To Burp?
Yes, you need to burp both bottle-fed and breastfed babies. Burping helps to get rid of some of the air that While feeding, babies tend to swallow air. Baby’s who don’t get burped often, or who swallow too much air, may spit up, seem cranky, or gassy.
After a few minutes, if your baby still hasn’t burped, you can try to change his or her position. If that doesn’t work, don’t worry. Breastfed babies may not need to burp all the time. It is okay to continue feeding your child or to put them to sleep. If your baby seems uncomfortable, you can try to burp them again after some time.
Does Breastfeeding Make You Lose Weight?
Although you burn 300-500 calories a day when you breastfeed, it doesn’t mean you will lose weight. While breastfeeding, many moms lose weight naturally, some find that they gain weight.
If you do breastfeeding correctly, it can definitely help you lose weight faster. It’s because breastfeeding alone burns up to 500 calories. It’s important to understand that Breastfeeding alone will not cause you to lose much weight. You will need to keep a healthy diet while breastfeeding.
Is It Safe To Breastfeed While On Period?
Yes, it is safe to breastfeed while you have your period. It won’t harm you or your child at all.
You can still feed your baby healthy, nutritious breast milk. But hormone changes just before your period can affect your baby’s breastfeeding pattern for a few days.
A change in the taste of your baby’s milk may occur because sodium and chloride levels increase while potassium and lactose levels decrease. During this time, breast milk is saltier and less sweet.
Can I Breastfeed Other Babies?
Absolutely yes, you can breastfeed other babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you can breastfeed babies who have been adopted.
However, it’s also important that the other mother is healthy and doesn’t have any infectious diseases that can spread to the baby. As an example, HIV can spread to a baby via breastfeeding. Someone who breastfeeds other women’s babies is known as a wet nurse or milk mother.
Can I Breastfeed After Drinking?
No, you should not breastfeed after drinking alcohol for at least 2 – 3 hours. After you drink, alcohol passes quickly and freely from your bloodstream into your milk. Thus, the level of alcohol in your milk is the same as the level of alcohol in your blood at any given time.
Those who drink heavily should wait longer. When mothers drink moderate amounts of alcohol, they can typically start breastfeeding as soon as they feel neurologically normal because adults metabolize an ounce of alcohol in about three hours.
Can I Breastfeed While Sick?
Sure, you can breastfeed while you’re sick. Breastmilk can help protect your baby from catching infections from you. Your breast milk comes from your own body and contains antibodies that were produced in order to fight the infection in your baby.
If your baby does fall ill, breast milk will actually help him or her to recover more quickly because it contains these same antibodies.
You should go to your doctor if you have had a fever for more than three days so you can get the right treatment. When you have an infection that requires antibiotics, make sure to ask your doctor for a medicine that’s safe for breastfeeding.
