Text/Themi Mama (original article, welcome to share and forward personally)
At present, breastfeeding has become the feeding method that the vast majority of mothers adhere to.
Because breast milk contains a variety of nutrients needed for the baby's growth and development, and can minimize the probability of the baby getting sick.
But in the process of breastfeeding, many new mothers will also encounter a variety of problems, the first is whether their breast milk is enough, can you let the baby eat enough?
So today, let's take these questions with new mothers to explore the things behind breastfeeding.
01. The baby's feeding needs
According to the "Technical Guidance Specification for Child Feeding and Nutrition" issued by the Ministry of Health in April 2012, we can find that babies under 3 months of age are fed no less than 8 times a day, which can effectively promote the secretion of breast milk.
In addition, for babies aged 4-6 months, they should be fed gradually and regularly, every 3-4 hours, about 6 times a day.
As your baby grows older, we can gradually reduce nighttime feeding and help your baby develop a habit of continuous sleep.
To understand your baby's feeding needs, we must understand your baby's stomach capacity at different ages.
Here's a look at your baby's stomach capacity:
Second, let's take a look at your baby's milk requirements:
Generally speaking, babies under three months of age have a total milk intake of 500ml-750ml per day, which is divided into about 8 feeding sessions.
4-6 months old baby, the daily milk intake of about 800ml -1000ml, the age of the baby, can gradually time to feed the fixed point, the formation of eating and sleeping habits.
02. So how do you tell if breast milk is adequate?
Whether breast milk is sufficient is a problem that many mothers will worry about, because in the case of the baby's demand is determined, once the breast milk is insufficient, the baby is bound to be hungry, thus affecting growth and development.
So how to judge? Next, I will share some small methods and tips.
Observe how your baby is after he has finished breastfeeding
After the baby finishes eating breast milk, we can observe the baby's situation, if the baby can take the initiative to stop when eating breast milk, and eat without crying, and can also sleep well, then it means that the baby is full, there is no lack of breast milk.
Observe how often your baby urinates
Generally speaking, the number of bowel movements in the baby in 24 hours is about 8 times, and if the amount of urine is sufficient, it means that the amount of milk is also sufficient.
Of course, here we need to remind all mothers, because the climate is different throughout the year, so the baby's urine output will be different in each season.
For example, in the summer, the baby may need more water and less urine.
Therefore, according to the actual situation, after comprehensive consideration, if the average number of bowel movements can be reached, then breast milk is sufficient.
Observe the color of your baby's urine
According to the instructions of some pediatricians, we will also judge whether breast milk is sufficient by judging the color of the baby's urine.
If the urine is colorless, breast milk intake is adequate, and if the urine is yellow or smelly, breast milk may be inadequate.
Observe your baby's expression after eating breast milk
Not being hungry is the most basic physiological need of human beings after birth, so basically in infancy, all the emotional changes in the baby are caused by whether or not to eat a full stomach.
So observe the baby's expression, is also a good way, if after eating breast milk, the baby's facial expression is full of satisfaction, but also will smile at the mother, then it means that the breast milk is sufficient, on the contrary, constantly crying, it means that there is no fullness.
Observe your baby's development
If the baby has sufficient intake of breast milk, growth and development can be guaranteed.
Under normal circumstances, the baby's weight in the first month of life should reach about 600 grams, and then about 750 grams per month, and everyone can also judge through this.
03. What should I do if I don't have enough breast milk?
If we identify a situation of insufficient breast milk, then we should solve the problem in three ways.
First, determine if you are breastfeeding the right way.
If the feeding method is wrong, then in the case that the baby cannot suck effectively, then the stimulation may not be enough, and it is difficult to promote the secretion of breast milk.
Therefore, everyone should follow the doctor's guidance and choose the correct breastfeeding position to ensure that the baby can drink breast milk.
Second, be sure to boost feeding confidence.
Many novice mothers, once they encounter a situation of insufficient breast milk, it is easy to hit their self-confidence, which will lead to anxiety, tension and stress in the long run.
And these negative emotions will affect the secretion of breast milk, so we must establish a positive and optimistic feeding mentality, as long as the mother's own nutritional intake is sufficient and balanced, we must believe that we can definitely feed our babies.
Finally, it is necessary to check whether you are not suitable for breastfeeding.
From a medical and genetic point of view, some mothers have insufficient breast milk, which may have a certain relationship with family inheritance.
Then in this situation, we must not be discouraged, we should insist on feeding, and gradually build confidence.
In addition, if breast milk is still insufficient, formula can be added as a supplement, a two-pronged approach to ensure that your baby is getting enough nutrients to grow.
Mother Themi's message:
From pregnancy in October, to delivery, to breastfeeding, every stage may be a challenge for new mothers.
And before we start the challenge, the most important thing is our own mindset and mood. Only if we adjust ourselves first can we bravely face all the things that may arise.
Finally, I also hope that every new mother can see the tricks and become a parenting master, and accompany her children to grow up healthy and happy.