A few questions on nursing for the first time...
I'm giving birth in a birth center, with a doula who is a LLL leader--so I'll have some good bfing support. But I'm curious to hear from actual, experienced mamas on a couple of issues.
First: my mws recommend nursing at least every 2 hours during the day and at least every 2-3 hours at night to help my milk come in after baby is born. That's fine in theory--I plan on nursing on demand, obviously. My question is: is it worth waking the babe up if she's one of those little miracles who sleeps 4 or 5 (or more) hours at a stretch? Or should I just let her sleep and assume my supply will adjust to her demand?
Also: The bfing sheet the mws handout also says something like: Nurse on one side for ten minutes, then switch sides and let baby nurse as long as she likes (again, this is for the first couple of weeks). I've heard conflicting info on this--is it better to let babe completely "empty" a side at one feeding, and then switch to the other breast at the next feeding, or to do what the mws suggest? My concern with doing the latter would be that, if she doesn't want to nurse that long, she might not be getting enough hindmilk.
I know that none of this is set in stone, but I'd very much appreciate any suggestions about getting our nursing relationship off to a strong start.
Thanks!
^_^:
First: my mws recommend nursing at least every 2 hours during the day and at least every 2-3 hours at night to help my milk come in after baby is born. That's fine in theory--I plan on nursing on demand, obviously. My question is: is it worth waking the babe up if she's one of those little miracles who sleeps 4 or 5 (or more) hours at a stretch? Or should I just let her sleep and assume my supply will adjust to her demand? Number one rule: you should absolutely not wake a sleeping baby! :lol Seriously, chances are, she'll wake up when she's hungry. Go ahead and offer every 3-4 hours (unless YOU are getting some much needed rest) but don't stress if she doesn't wake.
Caveat: It *can* happen that your baby is sleepy and isn't actually eating enough (you're specially at risk for this if you have drugs during the delivery). You can tell this primarily because she isn't wetting/pooping enough. Chances are, this won't be a problem- but if it is, clearly you DO need to worry about waking a sleeping girl.
I've always been a one-boob-a-feeding kinda woman- I also had a minor oversupply and a fairly robust letdown in the beginning. I would seriously advise AGAINST doing anything so silly as watching a clock while nursing. Watch the baby. And yes, I think it's better to let the babe drain the breast, for hindmilk purposes. :nod ITA!!
^_^:
I had a long labor w/ an unexpected c/s with complications and needed a transfusion..
With that said. My ds was cradled in my arms the whole time. I had that little guy nursing as much as possible. In fact even w/ my c/s and loss of blood, my milk came in under 48hrs. Since I birthed in a hospital and they were ignorant and pushing for me to supplement, I felt like I had to wake him to nurse, just to prove to them he was gaining weight..
I emptied my boob before switching. I did allot about 2hrs for each side. Some times he'd nurse from the one for two hrs straight. I always had so much milk. In fact my little chunk weighed 18lbs at 4mths.
More Topical:
First: my mws recommend nursing at least every 2 hours during the day and at least every 2-3 hours at night to help my milk come in after baby is born. That's fine in theory--I plan on nursing on demand, obviously. My question is: is it worth waking the babe up if she's one of those little miracles who sleeps 4 or 5 (or more) hours at a stretch? Or should I just let her sleep and assume my supply will adjust to her demand?
Also: The bfing sheet the mws handout also says something like: Nurse on one side for ten minutes, then switch sides and let baby nurse as long as she likes (again, this is for the first couple of weeks). I've heard conflicting info on this--is it better to let babe completely "empty" a side at one feeding, and then switch to the other breast at the next feeding, or to do what the mws suggest? My concern with doing the latter would be that, if she doesn't want to nurse that long, she might not be getting enough hindmilk.
I know that none of this is set in stone, but I'd very much appreciate any suggestions about getting our nursing relationship off to a strong start.
Thanks!
^_^:
First: my mws recommend nursing at least every 2 hours during the day and at least every 2-3 hours at night to help my milk come in after baby is born. That's fine in theory--I plan on nursing on demand, obviously. My question is: is it worth waking the babe up if she's one of those little miracles who sleeps 4 or 5 (or more) hours at a stretch? Or should I just let her sleep and assume my supply will adjust to her demand? Number one rule: you should absolutely not wake a sleeping baby! :lol Seriously, chances are, she'll wake up when she's hungry. Go ahead and offer every 3-4 hours (unless YOU are getting some much needed rest) but don't stress if she doesn't wake.
Caveat: It *can* happen that your baby is sleepy and isn't actually eating enough (you're specially at risk for this if you have drugs during the delivery). You can tell this primarily because she isn't wetting/pooping enough. Chances are, this won't be a problem- but if it is, clearly you DO need to worry about waking a sleeping girl.
I've always been a one-boob-a-feeding kinda woman- I also had a minor oversupply and a fairly robust letdown in the beginning. I would seriously advise AGAINST doing anything so silly as watching a clock while nursing. Watch the baby. And yes, I think it's better to let the babe drain the breast, for hindmilk purposes. :nod ITA!!
^_^:
I had a long labor w/ an unexpected c/s with complications and needed a transfusion..
With that said. My ds was cradled in my arms the whole time. I had that little guy nursing as much as possible. In fact even w/ my c/s and loss of blood, my milk came in under 48hrs. Since I birthed in a hospital and they were ignorant and pushing for me to supplement, I felt like I had to wake him to nurse, just to prove to them he was gaining weight..
I emptied my boob before switching. I did allot about 2hrs for each side. Some times he'd nurse from the one for two hrs straight. I always had so much milk. In fact my little chunk weighed 18lbs at 4mths.
More Topical: