Breast milk is the only physiological baby food that contains all the nutrients the baby needs in appropriate quantity and quality. In addition to its nutritional properties, it is also very important due to the growth factors it contains and protection against infection. In the first 6 months, it meets both the physiological and psychosocial needs of the baby on its own. Its ingredients are unique and vary according to the baby's needs. Absorption of iron and calcium in breast milk is optimal. The amount of protein is lower than cow's milk, but its quality is better. Additionally, it is not high in sodium and does not create additional burden on the kidneys. It protects against obesity, allergic and chronic inflammatory diseases.
In fact, especially in recent years, awareness of breast milk has been higher and mothers are more willing to breastfeed their babies. They only have anxiety that starts immediately after birth and is felt intensely in the first 1-2 months. First of all, is my milk enough? Is my baby getting enough? Anxiety.
Babies lose weight in the first week after birth. They lose 5-6% of their birth weight, sometimes even up to 10%. After a week, they start to gain weight again and reach their birth weight within 10-14 days. In the following days, if they gain 15-20 grams per day, i.e. 500-600 grams per month, they are receiving adequate nutrition.
In other words, the most objective indicator of whether a baby is adequately nourished is whether the baby's weight gain is sufficient. Just as constantly wanting to suckle does not mean that he is hungry, sleeping a lot does not mean that he is well fed.
Babies suck more, especially in the first 2 months when they are trying to adapt to the outside world from the womb. The factor that determines sucking is not hunger. They enjoy sucking and feel safe and happy. That's why they may want to suck constantly. This situation is considered as insufficient breast milk and can sometimes lead to unnecessary formula being given to the baby, can negatively affect the mother's belief in her milk and prevent the baby from receiving breast milk for a longer period of time.
After the first 2 months, the period of taking pleasure in breastfeeding ends. As the baby gets hungry, he starts to suckle. The sucking intervals are widened and the sucking time is shortened. There is more interest in the surroundings and the baby does not want to stay at the breast for too long. This situation is also temporary and completely related to the normal developmental process of the baby. It's important that you know this, because otherwise this time There may be a tendency to express milk and give it with a bottle just because the baby is breastfeeding less. This again reduces the rate of longer and successful breastfeeding.
*Please ignore negative feedback such as your milk supply is low and the baby is not satisfied. It is more important that your baby's weight gain is deemed sufficient by your doctor.
*Know that there may be changes in your baby's sucking behavior related to the developmental stage he is in.
*It is best to see that your baby has sufficient weight gain during your routine child health follow-ups. It is an objective indicator. You can also check it at home with the amount of urine (not poop, but the amount of urine). If your baby has 5-6 urinated diapers a day, he/she is eating adequately.
*Do not constantly check the amount of milk by expressing to see if your milk is enough. Milking machines never show the actual amount of your milk. Sometimes you may get a little milk when you pump, but your milk will come as your baby sucks. Milking machines can only express the small amount of milk stored in your breast. However, even if you do not have any stored milk, milk always comes as your baby sucks.
*And please remember: You always have an alternative. You may not need to breastfeed due to some of your diseases and medications you have to use, or due to some metabolic diseases your baby may have. There are adapted formulas that we can use for such situations. Please do not feel inadequate if you have such a situation and do not pay attention to the negative feedback from those around you regarding this issue. The important thing is that you nourish and raise your baby with love.
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