Breast Feeding
“Baby + Breast milk = Best formula in the world”
Both you and your baby get benefits from breastfeeding. The infant or neonate’s milk intake should be 150 – 175 ml /kg body weight / day.
Frequency And Duration Of Feeding
- In the absence of any complication, a healthy baby put to the breast immediately or ½-1 hour following delivery (Normal).
- Following caesarean delivery a period of 2 – 4 hours may be sufficient to feed her baby.
- During the first 24 hrs , the mother should feed the baby at an interval 2 – 3 hrs gradually the interval modified to 3 – 4 hrs pattern by the end of 1st
- Demand feeding : The baby is put to the breast as soon as the baby becomes hungry.
- Initial feeding should last for 5 – 10 mt at each breast is gradually increased.
Breaking The Wind (Burping)
All the babies swallow varied amount of air during sucking. To break up the wind , the baby should be held upright against the chest and the back is gently patted till the baby blenches out the air.
Preperations / Management
- Clean the breast before and after feeding
- A clean , soft , supportive brassiere should be worn.
- The mother should wash her hands prior to feeding.
- Mother and baby should be in comfortable position.
