I came across this early 1960's parenting book called "Modern Mothercraft" and thought I would share it with you.
"Time at the breast
The time required for the average baby will be between ten to twenty minutes. Both breasts should be offered at each feeding. Ten minutes on both breasts, or ten minutes on the first and five minutes on the second, may be required, but babies do not take the same amount of breast milk at every feed, nor will the same amount be available in the breasts at each nursing, because there is more milk present in the early morning than later in the day.
It is important to make sure that baby sucks well at the breast and that he does not dawdle, play or go to sleep. The actual sucking time should not exceed 30 minutes."
Well, at least they mention that it is important to make sure that baby sucks well at the breast. Thank heavens that we no longer give this advice and the evidence suggests that, letting your baby feed when he/she wants for as long as they want will stimulate the release of the hormone prolactin which builds up the milk supply.
Your baby will comfort suck and play at your breast, the eye contact and hormonal feedback mechanism between you and your baby is phenomenal. It is the same hormones that are released when you fall in love, you and your baby are falling in love, we call it bonding. Your baby is helping you fall in love with him that you cannot put him down because he is dependent on you for survival. I tell mums that babes require three things, food, warmth and love. Breast feeding and mummy and daddy give baby all three.
Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (incorporated) Plunket Society. (1964). Modern Mothercraft. Coulls Somerville:Dunedin.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Chit Chat
Had a wonderful home/water birth last week. We used my new birthing pool for the first time and I have to say it was excellent. I have two birthing pools, one where you have to put the frame together, then feed the outer liner through it and then the inner liner. It was a great pool but fiddly to put together and there was no padding on the floor of the pool, which meant that knees got sore, or I put heaps of pillows inbetween the two liners.
My new one has an inflatable floor so knees are cushioned well and its walls are sturdy enough for someone to sit on. Yes, I am very pleased with my new pool.
My new one has an inflatable floor so knees are cushioned well and its walls are sturdy enough for someone to sit on. Yes, I am very pleased with my new pool.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Patterns, schedules and breastfeeding your new baby.
Congratulations for choosing to breastfeed your baby, it is the best thing you can do. As a midwife I am oftened asked when babies sleep through the night or, parents tell me that they were up all night feeding their baby.
Baby Behaviour
I think it would be great for our daughters to know how wonderful breastfeeding is and, that night feeds are really important. Babies do not read the book that say adults sleep at night, also, if I took that sandwich out of your hand and said you cant eat it until later or, tell you that you cannot have that snack you are looking forward to having. I am sure you would not be very happy with me, in fact, you would probably tell me, in no uncertain terms what I could do with myself.
Babies do cry, it sounds obvious but they cry for many reasons, hunger is one, but also because they want our warmth and comfort, they are having a growth spurt, they are wet, dirty, bored or, they cry simply because they can and want to be held. Speaking from experience both as mother and a midwife, I find it very interesting (and funny too) that we, as humans, expect our offspring to go into a different room, cot, away from us to sleep etc., when, in the animal world their young are continually clinging to their mothers for protection and, where there is free access to the breast.
Free Access Feeding
So, why do we think babies should be any different and conform to patterns and schedules? Babies are like any other mammal, they seek out the warmth and protection from their mother and suckle at the breast. All mammals in the Kingdom allow what I call 'Free Access' feeding, in other words, letting your baby feed from the breast, whenever he/she wants for as long as they want. I do not call it 'demand' feeding, because it sounds like your baby is being demanding, when in actual fact, they are displaying normal behaviour and doing what any other mammal would do.
By giving your baby 'Free access' to the breast, it stimulates the release of a hormone called prolactin to help build up your milk supply and, baby gets a nutritious drink at the same time. Prolactin, is mainly released at night, released during the day to a certain extent but mainly at night, that is why night feeds are important.
Growth Spurts
Your baby will have a growth spurts, usually every one to two weeks and will want to go to your breast quite frequently for 24-48hrs because he/she has put on weight and needs to increase your milk supply, and he/she can only increase your supply by sucking frequently at your breasts.
Do not expect any set patterns for a while because it takes at least 7-10 days to get breastfeeding established. Some advice to get you through the early weeks are to ensure that you get adequate rest, is for you and your partner to sleep while your baby sleeps. Do not feel that you have to entertain visitors, dust and housework can wait, in fact, organise a good friend/relative to come in to do some housework for an hour or so a day.
KNOW THAT YOU CAN DO IT.....have the confidence to know that you will produce more than enough milk for your baby, if you allow 'Free Access' feeding to your breasts. You are just awesome and we totally support you in mind and spirit.
Some organisations (apart from your midwife) that are just wonderful with help, support and advice are your local Lactation Consultants and the La Leche league.
http://www.lalecheleague.org.nz/
http://www.midwife.org.nz/index.cfm/1,78,0,0,html/For-Women
Baby Behaviour
I think it would be great for our daughters to know how wonderful breastfeeding is and, that night feeds are really important. Babies do not read the book that say adults sleep at night, also, if I took that sandwich out of your hand and said you cant eat it until later or, tell you that you cannot have that snack you are looking forward to having. I am sure you would not be very happy with me, in fact, you would probably tell me, in no uncertain terms what I could do with myself.
Babies do cry, it sounds obvious but they cry for many reasons, hunger is one, but also because they want our warmth and comfort, they are having a growth spurt, they are wet, dirty, bored or, they cry simply because they can and want to be held. Speaking from experience both as mother and a midwife, I find it very interesting (and funny too) that we, as humans, expect our offspring to go into a different room, cot, away from us to sleep etc., when, in the animal world their young are continually clinging to their mothers for protection and, where there is free access to the breast.
Free Access Feeding
So, why do we think babies should be any different and conform to patterns and schedules? Babies are like any other mammal, they seek out the warmth and protection from their mother and suckle at the breast. All mammals in the Kingdom allow what I call 'Free Access' feeding, in other words, letting your baby feed from the breast, whenever he/she wants for as long as they want. I do not call it 'demand' feeding, because it sounds like your baby is being demanding, when in actual fact, they are displaying normal behaviour and doing what any other mammal would do.
By giving your baby 'Free access' to the breast, it stimulates the release of a hormone called prolactin to help build up your milk supply and, baby gets a nutritious drink at the same time. Prolactin, is mainly released at night, released during the day to a certain extent but mainly at night, that is why night feeds are important.
Growth Spurts
Your baby will have a growth spurts, usually every one to two weeks and will want to go to your breast quite frequently for 24-48hrs because he/she has put on weight and needs to increase your milk supply, and he/she can only increase your supply by sucking frequently at your breasts.
Do not expect any set patterns for a while because it takes at least 7-10 days to get breastfeeding established. Some advice to get you through the early weeks are to ensure that you get adequate rest, is for you and your partner to sleep while your baby sleeps. Do not feel that you have to entertain visitors, dust and housework can wait, in fact, organise a good friend/relative to come in to do some housework for an hour or so a day.
KNOW THAT YOU CAN DO IT.....have the confidence to know that you will produce more than enough milk for your baby, if you allow 'Free Access' feeding to your breasts. You are just awesome and we totally support you in mind and spirit.
Some organisations (apart from your midwife) that are just wonderful with help, support and advice are your local Lactation Consultants and the La Leche league.
http://www.lalecheleague.org.nz/
http://www.midwife.org.nz/index.cfm/1,78,0,0,html/For-Women
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