Published: 04/08/2010 by Milk Matters

Frequent, Demand or Baby Led Feeding will ensure:

* A good milk supply that satisfies your baby's needs
* A more contented baby
* Less stress for you and the family as your baby will cry less
* That your baby gains weight well

More about Frequent, Demand or Baby Led Feeding

How often is frequent?

1. Your baby's breastfeeding pattern or lack thereof, in the first few days, is no indication of his long term pattern or lack thereof.

2. It is normal for babies to feed around 10 to 12 times, in 24 hours during the first few days.

3. Should you baby still be feeding often and not settling between feeds, after the first few days, have a lactation consultant or breastfeeding expert check your baby's latch.

4. Should your baby be feeding more often during the night than during the day, you could wake him up for an extra 1 or 2 feeds during the day time, to encourage longer stretches at night.

How long is long enough?

1. As a rough guideline, if your baby initially breastfeed for less than 5 min or longer than an hour, the latch needs to be checked.

2. In general the length of feeds may vary from feed to feed; allow your baby to drink for as long as he wants to at one breast before offering the other.

3. Should your baby's feeds consistently last for an extended time and he not settle well afterwards, have a lactation consultant or breastfeeding expert check your baby's latch.

NB It is not possible for your milk to be to thin or too weak, even woman who are undernourished produce nutritious milk for their babies.

Good reasons for Frequent, Demand Feeding or Baby Led Feeding

* Frequent feeding encourages a better milk production and ensures a more contented baby.

* A good latch with the nipple and areola in your baby's mouth is always important.

* The subsequent stimulation of the breast results in the release of hormones into the blood stream. One of the hormones oxytocin causes the muscle cells around the milk producing glands to contract, squeezing milk into the milk ducts. It may be felt as a tingling sensation and is known as the let-down reflex.

* Breastmilk is easily digested and moves rapidly from the stomach into the intestinal tract, necessitating frequent feeds.

* Initially your baby's stomach capacity is small - 5 to 10 ml, gradually increasing to 20 ml by the third day.

* Frequent feeding will also prevent your breasts becoming engorged or hard and uncomfortable.

* Allow your baby to finish feeding at the first breast before offering the second side. At times he may not want more from the second breast; offer that side first at the next feed.

* PROVIDED YOUR BABY IS POSITIONED AND SUCKLING WELL, he may feed for as long and as often as he needs. During the first few days babies may need around 10 or more feeds in 24 hours.

* To encourage your baby to sleep for longer stretches at night feed him more frequently during the day.

* Given time, you and your baby will adjust to your own pattern. Most babies will demand less frequent feeds as the weeks go by.

Your Newborn Baby's Cues
Learning to understand your newborn baby's cues allows you to respond to her needs, to feed her at an optimal time and not wait until she is crying before feeding her. Below is an example of how a newborn baby may behave on wakening.

* She tends to stretch then wriggle and squirm.
* If left alone she will become more restless then turn her head from side to side and put her fingers or fists into her mouth.
* If left alone for longer she begins to make little noises, which if ignored become louder and louder and eventually develop into a full bellowed cry.

The best time to feed your baby

* Is when she indicates to you that she is hungry by turning her head from side to side and putting her fingers or fists into her mouth.

* Leaving her to cry loudly may be too late, as she would need to be settled before you could feed her.

The quiet alert time

* The so called quiet alert time, when your baby has just woken or, after her feed when she is still awake but very calm, is a good time to massage, bath or just enjoy spending time communicating with your baby.

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