After nine long months of preparing for your little bundle of joy and deciding how you want to go about feeding a newborn baby. You may find yourself having difficulty feeding your newborn baby or find yourself unsure about whether or not you are producing milk, but don’t give up.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that breastfeeding your baby for at least the first six months proves to be invaluable to both you and your baby’s health. You are not struggling alone, a US study reports that within 500 women 92% of the mothers have difficulty within the first three days of breastfeeding. So here are a few tips to help make sure you and your baby are getting what you need at the beginning of this journey.

Are you producing enough milk?

Within the first few days of breastfeeding, your body has not yet completely adjusted to the influx of hormones that begin the production of breast milk. Meaning that you may feel like you are not producing quite enough. Fortunately, as your baby is still tiny and will be feeding frequently it will be enough for them, including that the colostrum is packed with nutrients, is heavier, thicker and helps your baby learn how to suck and swallow.

The biggest thing you need to watch out for is your baby’s weight, as long as your baby is gaining weight, they are getting enough milk. Another way you can check is through your baby’s bowel movements, and what you find in their dirty nappies.

Ways to increase and help milk stimulation for feeding newborn

As a thumb rule, it is always best to try breastfeeding your baby within the first hour after birth, this helps stimulate the cells that are in your breast to begin lactating. It is called the special hour for a reason; it also helps your relationship as you are relaxed and you share oxytocin with your baby. Which as a matter of fact helps release colostrum, which is also known as your first milk.

You always want to have enough for your baby when they get hungry, and the best way to ensure that you do have enough milk per feeding is to feed on demand rather than on a set schedule. This way you do not alter the supply and demand cycle and build the amount of milk you need for each feeding to satisfy your baby. There are many companies that create supplements and other lactation aids such as postnatal tea and massage treatments.

Always allow your baby to end their own feedings as your milk becomes fattier towards the end of each session and helps with your baby’s weight gain and keeps them full for longer periods of time.

Postnatal tea can help with healthy milk flow, relaxation and gives you the nutrients you need for lactation and strengthens both your and your baby’s immune systems.

If you are still unsure about whether or not you are producing enough milk consult a lactation expert or your doctor to stay safe. Having a child is always a learning experience, as every child is different and has different needs. Good luck on your journey as both you and your child grow together and learn each other’s habits.

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