| I see it every day- babies breastfeeding, but not | | | | colostrum, the faster he drinks, he then slows down as |
| gaining an ounce a day. How can this happen? | | | | he finishes his meal. |
| Breastfeeding is the way to feed babies, and babies | | | | Is your baby emptying your breasts? |
| are born knowing how to latch-except when they are | | | | Babies are usually super heroes at emptying the |
| tired, sleepy or drugged from labor or a c-section. | | | | breasts. But what happens if your baby is really sleepy |
| Even if your baby is feeding 8-12 times a day, does | | | | in the first 2 days? You've got to help him. Massage |
| this guarantee he is gaining weight? | | | | and/or compress your breasts while he is feeding. This |
| Nibbling or Drinking? | | | | will push more colostrum into his mouth. Figure out your |
| It would seem simple enough to look down at your | | | | sweet spots for compressing- when you compress |
| nursing baby and say, "He's drinking alright." | | | | here, does your baby swallow more? |
| But when you are a first time mom, you might not | | | | Giving Your Baby Take Out |
| have a clue as to whether your baby is really drinking. | | | | Your breasts are the Baby's Bistro - a five star bistro, |
| Some babies are content to nibble the hour away | | | | of course! Sometimes your baby is just not interested |
| without getting anything to drink. | | | | in dining in; that's when take-out is a great option. In the |
| Do you listen for swallowing? Some babies are as | | | | first 24 hours, hand expression works great to get the |
| silent as a gentle breeze while feeding, though they | | | | colostrum out. You can use a spoon to feed this to |
| can be getting a lot of colostrum. Other babies are | | | | your baby. If he is still sleepy on the second day, you |
| noisy drinkers, but that doesn't necessarily mean he is | | | | will want to combine double electric pumping with hand |
| swallowing. You may hear the "kuh" as baby pauses | | | | expression. |
| to breathe and exhales. | | | | Don't be fooled into thinking that you should give your |
| What does real drinking look like? | | | | baby formula when all you have to do is get the |
| Watch your baby's lower jaw. When he drops it down | | | | colostrum out. Colostrum is powerful stuff; a little goes |
| and pauses briefly, that usually means he has a | | | | a long way. It takes 16 ounces of formula to equal the |
| mouthful of colostrum. He swallows as he closes his | | | | amount of protein in one ounce of colostrum - liquid |
| mouth and the process starts over again. The more | | | | gold. I love it! Sweet, rich, powerful... |