Newborns Breastfeeding

As a new mother, it may take some time and patience to be able to learn the skills it takes to successfully breastfeed your infant. For some newborns breastfeeding may be difficult and frustrating at first, as they learn to latch on successfully. This is especially true if you are a new mother and are still learning how to hold your baby and get your baby to latch on in order to breastfeed. However, with a little patience and some determination, you can overcome most problems with newborns breastfeeding and successfully help your baby to latch on consistently each time. Here are some tips to make newborns breastfeeding easier, particularly for new mothers:

Help your baby to latch on as soon as he shows an interest in feeding.

Many times, your baby will wake up hungry and ready to nurse. If you offer the breast before your baby has a chance to get fussy, you have a better chance of getting him to latch on successfully. However, it is important to temper this advice with your baby’s unique personality. Some babies do not like to nurse if they are wet or dirty, so a quick diaper change before feeding is necessary. Remember to take your time letting the baby latch on – for newborns, feeding times should be a secure and relaxed time, so the more comfortable you are, the more comfortable your baby will be.

Make sure you are getting enough rest and enough fluids.

Many new mothers get very thirsty when nursing their infants, and if you are uncomfortable then it will be difficult for you to let your baby stay latched on as long as she needs to in order to feed properly. Try to time your naps around the same time that your baby sleeps for the first few weeks – this means taking naps throughout the day and night. Have water on hand and within reach while you are nursing and make sure you are in a comfortable position before you settle in to nurse your baby.

Avoid having guests that make you feel stressed or uncomfortable.

Your baby will take his cues from you, and if you are stressed and nervous, he will be also. If you have relatives that are overly judgmental or critical, avoid having extended visits until both you and the baby are feeling up to it. Don’t feel obligated to breastfeed your baby in front of family or friends. Instead, make sure you and your baby are as comfortable as possible – they will understand if you need to excuse yourself for a feeding, and your baby will have a better, more relaxed meal time if you don’t place yourself in a stressful situation.

Don’t let conflicting advice overwhelm you.

There are several different methods for getting a baby to latch on successfully. Some of the holds or positions you might use may seem odd to others who are not familiar with the newer techniques. As long as you and your baby are comfortable and safe, that’s all that matters. Remember, your newborns breastfeeding success is dependent only upon your commitment to making breastfeeding a success – not the advice of well-intentioned friends and family members.

If your baby is having severe problems with latching on and you are worried about his health, seek the advice of a medical professional sooner rather than later. La Leche League and other groups can put you in contact with a breastfeeding expert who can give you solid advice and assistance when you need it most. Make the most of this time with your precious newborn and enjoy the bond the breastfeeding provides.

Newborns Gas

When it comes to health issues for infants, newborns’ gas is generally only a minor concern. However, the pain from gas pressure and bloating often cause newborns to become very fussy. These symptoms can be caused by several different factors including formula sensitivities, air swallowed during feeding, or just the natural occurrence of gas that is produced as a byproduct of digestion. Mild gassiness can usually be relieved by using some simple burping and feeding techniques.

Gas in newborns:

Gas in newborns and babies under one year of age is considered to be normal. Almost every parent will deal with infant gassiness at some point. Because your newborns gas could be caused by any number of factors, you must be willing to try several different solutions in order to find the one that will bring the most relief.

Although there are various factors that may cause gas in the baby’s digestive tract, one of the main factors is the child’s immature digestive system. To some extent, you can expect your newborns gas to gradually improve as your little one ages. If your newborn is a preemie then you may have more problems with digestion, and thus gassiness. Although this situation is normal, it is still important to understand the underlying cause in order to be able to help your child get rid of the gas and relieve him from the pain.

If your baby is bottle fed, when feeding your baby air bubbles may be swallowed during the course of the feeding. If you are breastfeeding, your newborns’ gas may also be due to foods you are eating that can upset your baby’s tummy. Numerous studies have shown that both nutrients and gas-causing agents can be passed through breastfeeding. If the mother’s diet often includes gas-causing foods such as dairy products, legumes and cabbages, then the risk of gassiness in newborns is higher. Additionally, too much citrus fruits or acidic foods on a diet may also cause your baby to experience stomach irritation.

Infants aged 3 to 6 months old are prone to gas pain and other related problems, especially if solids are started too soon. Newborns gas may present symptoms such as irritability, fussiness, sleeping problems and crying for a longer time without any obvious reason. These signs are often manifested after feeding. Distended stomach, abdominal bloating and frequent passing of gas also indicates a problem.

Swallowing air while crying?

Another factor that may cause your newborns gas is the act of crying itself. Crying is natural to some extent, since this is their only way to verbally express any discomfort. However, strenuous crying may cause your baby to swallow more air which will only exacerbate the condition.

When seeking to help your child find relieve from gas pain, here are some methods you might try:

Reduce gas accumulation on your baby’s digestive tract by patting his back and burping your baby at regular intervals.Make sure that the nipple size is accurate when feeding your baby through a bottle. Larger nipple size may cause your baby to consume milk fast while smaller nipples may cause your baby to swallow more air.

Gently massage your child’s tummy with an essential oil to relieve gas bubbles from their digestive system.

To expel gas, you may also lay your baby on his tummy while you rub his back. Be sure not to leave your baby to fall asleep in this position if he is not able to roll over on his own.

If your newborns gas is due to possible diet sensitivities, then you should try to isolate the offending food. Try removing known culprits one at a time to see if your baby’s gassiness improves.

No matter what the cause of your newborns gas, you want to make certain that you take steps to relieve the condition sooner rather than later. A baby who associates mealtimes with pain may start to avoid feedings. If you have any concerns about allergies or other sensitivities, always speak to your child’s pediatrician to get the most thorough advice possible.