Breast Feeding Question and Answer
Although breast feeding may seem natural, it is not something that just happens. Getting right advice and information, giving the breast feeding process time and having patience are a few of the most important factors you will need to adhere to when breast feeding your baby. Here we have compiled answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. Please note this is not medical advice and if you have real concerns and need assistance with breast feeding, contact your maternal health nurse.
Q. SHOULD BREAST FEEDING HURT? A. Breastfeeding your baby should never hurt. Mostly, occuring pain is the result of using improper nursing techniques. We recommend learning the correct positioning and latching-on techniques to avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort associated with breastfeeding. During the learning phase of breastfeeding, there may be cases when painful breasts occur, requiring treatment. Q.HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BREAST FEED? A. This depends largely on your baby. Some infants are vigorous nursers, while others take their time. Generally it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 40 minutes from beginning to end of the feeding session. This time frame may decrease as your baby becomes more proficient at nursing. Q. IS MY BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH MILK? A. If your baby is getting enough milk baby will be suckling without problem, feeding 8-12 times per 24 hours and emptying each breast. Baby will seems happy, healthy and content, active and alert when awake and is content after a feed. Getting around 8 wet nappies every 24 hrs is also a good indication. These are all signs that baby is getting enough milk. If you’re worried, ask your health professional to make sure all is well. Q. I'M GOING BACK TO WORK SOON? SHOULD I BREAST FEED? A. Its important that you be with your baby as much as possible during the first 4 months. The earlier months are the vital months where your milk is most valuable to baby. If you return to work, you can still ensure baby is receiving breast milk. The perfect solution to breastfeeding whilst at work is the Cherub Baby Starter Kit which includes a stylish black carry bag that will hold all your breastfeeding equipment. Whilst your at work baby can have bottles of your expressed milk and you can express using the Cherub Breast Pump whilst at work to top up milk levels for future days. Q. HOW LONG SHOULD I CONTINUE TO BREASTFEED? A. Usually 6 months is the optimum period to breast feed baby. After which your baby will probably want to start on solids as well. However you can continue to breast feed your baby as long as you both feel is adequate. Q. CAN I BREASTFEED AND BOTTLE FEED SIMULTANEOUSLY? A. Although it’s not encouraged to combine numerous bottle feeds with breastfeeding during the first few weeks, usually after the third week breast and bottle feeding can be safely combined. The Cherub bottles feature a silicone teat, designed to mimic your breast in both form and function. Just like the feeling of a soft warm breast, baby will feel soft warm milk through the silicone, encouraging baby to latch on to the bottle with a wide open mouth, allowing suckling during bottle feeding. Through this process Cherub Baby have revolutionised the ease in which baby can now switch between breast and bottle. Q. WHAT IS COLIC? A. Infant colic (also known as baby colic and three month colic) is a condition in which an otherwise healthy baby cries or screams frequently and for extended periods, without any discernible reason. The condition typically appears within the first few months of life and almost invariably disappears, often very suddenly, before the baby is eight months old. It is more common in bottle-fed babies, but also occurs in breast-fed infants. The crying frequently occurs during a specific period of the day, often in the early evening. Since the cause is not conclusively established (see below) and the amount of crying differs between babies, there is no general consensus on the definition of "colic". Having ruled out other causes of crying, a common rule of thumb is to consider a baby "colicky" if it cries intensely more than three days a week, for more than three hours, for more than three weeks in a month.
