Newborn babies feeding habits

Newborn nutrition

Breastfeeding is by far the best way to feed your newborn. It is a natural continuation of physiological processes such as conception, pregnancy and childbirth. No other food can fully replace breast milk for a baby. This is due to the fact that in the milk of a nursing mother there are more than 500 nutrients necessary for the normal development of the baby's body.

Breastfeeding of newborns in the first days after birth

Even during pregnancy, certain hormones in a woman's body prepare her mammary glands for breastfeeding. When a baby is born, the breast secretes colostrum - the first milk is orange-yellow. It contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that are useful for the baby, which help the newborn to adapt in the extrauterine environment. Colostrum is perfectly absorbed by the child's body, and also cleanses the intestines of meconium (the first stool), which reduces the risk of developing jaundice. nine0005

Important!

It is recommended to attach the baby to the mother's breast in the first hours of life. This will help both mother and child get used to new sensations, to each other, to establish an inextricable bond between them.

The newborn may be sleepy after delivery. Despite this, in the first days of life, it is important to keep him close to the breast and try to start feeding. Attachment will cause a sucking reflex in the baby and relieve heaviness in the chest.

In the first days, the frequency of breastfeeding reaches 10-15 times, and the mother should breastfeed the baby at the first sign of anxiety. Subsequently, the number of attachments decreases, because the woman sensitively catches the hungry cry of the child and distinguishes it from crying for other reasons. The frequency of feeding is reduced to 5-7 times a day. nine0005

Good to know

The transition from free to regime feeding is individual and ranges from 10–15 days to 1.5 months.

During the first feedings, the baby swallows very little colostrum. Between the second and fifth days, the body of a nursing mother begins to produce transitional milk - lighter and not so thick, but no less healthy and nutritious. Day by day, the milk will become more and more white, transparent and liquid, its quantity will begin to increase rapidly. The more often a mother puts her baby to her breast, the more milk her body produces. nine0005

Frequency of feeding newborns with breast milk

At first, the baby eats little and often, but this is enough for him. The frequency of breastfeeding a baby is different for everyone, because each nursing mother and child have individual characteristics of the body. The golden rule of breastfeeding a newborn in the first months of life is not to limit the duration of breastfeeding and the number of attachments. Do not worry that he will consume more milk than necessary. The kid himself controls what he needs. nine0005

Important!

Make sure that the baby grasps the nipple correctly . If you see that he is uncomfortable, try changing the position for feeding.

A newborn may breastfeed more than eight times in 24 hours. This means that milk production has adapted well to the needs of the baby. At first, it is worth satisfying the baby's need at the first sign of hunger.

It is extremely important that the baby latch on the nipple correctly. The older he gets, the lower the average feeding figure. Gradually, the number of attachments to the chest decreases to five or six times. However, at the same time, each feeding lasts a longer time, becoming much more effective than in the first days of a baby's life. nine0005

Night breastfeeding: pros and cons

Baby asks for food at certain hours of the day and night. You need to remember the approximate time of each feeding in order to better understand the rhythm of sleep, awakening and nutrition of the baby.

Important!

Do not torture your baby and stick to a strict feeding schedule. Breastfeeding on demand is more comfortable and healthier for your baby.

The baby eats not only in the daytime. Almost all breastfeeding women face night feedings . This process is undoubtedly important for the child and for the mother. At night, the mother's body produces the hormone prolactin, which plays a huge role in maintaining lactation. It promotes the formation of milk in the mammary glands in sufficient quantity for the child, and this milk is characterized by increased density and is tastier for the baby. Although, of course, milk production is carried out during the day.

Breastfeeding newborns is the most effective way to soothe your baby. Within six months after birth, the active phase of sleep dominates in newborns during sleep, and vice versa in adults, so the baby can wake up more often and be naughty. The child feels hunger, fear and loneliness from the first months of life. Only his mother's breast can calm him down, and night feedings temporarily become the norm. nine0005

Important!

A mother needs to learn to distinguish between her baby's hungry cries and other types of cries. Remember that breastfeeding with any disturbance can lead to overfeeding!

Breastfeeding and menstruation: is there a danger to the baby?

Women who continue to breastfeed will start menstruating when their baby is about 8-10 months old. It is normal that at first there is no menstruation, because the body needs to recover after pregnancy and childbirth .

Menstruation while breastfeeding does not bring any negative consequences. The only thing is that milk production may decrease slightly during the cycle, so it needs to be increased by various methods of increasing lactation. Some mothers note that during menstruation, the child is reluctant to breastfeed, probably due to a change in the taste of milk during this period.

When to wean a baby from breastfeeding: advice to a nursing mother

Often young mothers are interested in the question, until what age should they breastfeed their baby. The duration of feeding depends on many characteristics of the body - both mother and child. WHO experts advise to continue breastfeeding up to 12 months. Subsequently, breastfeeding is valuable for mother and baby from a psychological point of view. But the baby is able to receive nutrients after a year from other foods. Many experts and experienced parents believe that breastfeeding after a year is not the main element of a child's nutrition. nine0005

Important!

Complementary foods are recommended to be introduced at the age of six months. You should start with cereals and vegetable purees, then meat purees are added to the diet.

The older the child gets, the less he needs to feed on mother's milk. For some children, breastfeeding lasts up to three years, while for others it stops after a year of the baby's life. There are practically no easy ways to wean from the breast, it is always a certain stress for the crumbs. However, the end of breastfeeding is an integral part of the growing up of the child. The beginning of breastfeeding causes certain difficulties for some mothers. The best approach is to trust your body and follow your instincts. If the process of breastfeeding is debugged at the very beginning of feeding, in the future, the mother will have no problems either with feeding the child or with finishing it when the baby grows up. nine0005

Breastfeeding helps the baby grow and develop, but not only: mother's milk protects the baby from infections and viruses . Learn about the "magic" ingredients that provide a reliable immune barrier against various diseases.

BREAST MILK OLIGOSACCHARIDES

Breast milk oligosaccharides are special bioactive compounds that are found only in breast milk and they are one of the most widely distributed components of breast milk and are responsible for the formation of the child's immunity. The main action of HMO is carried out at the level of the intestine. nine0005

BENEFICIAL BACTERIA

Breast milk naturally contains various types of beneficial bacteria that help maintain the balance of the intestinal bacterial flora. Scientists have found that breastfed babies have more beneficial bacteria in their gut.

PROTEINS

Breast milk contains high quality proteins necessary for the growth and development of the baby, especially whey proteins. During the first six months, the concentration of proteins in breast milk gradually decreases, adjusting to the needs of the child. nine0005

ANTIBODIES

Breast milk, which is produced during the first days after birth (colostrum), contains a large amount of antibodies. Every time you breastfeed your baby, you give him protection against a wide range of infections.

The benefits of breastfeeding do not end in infancy. Breastfed children are less likely to develop health problems as adults. Thus, breastfeeding today is a concern for the future of your child. nine0005

Breastfeeding is a type of feeding in which a child up to 6 months receives only mother's milk.

There are 3 types of mother's milk.

1. Colostrum is a sticky thick liquid of yellow color,
   appears after the birth of a child and is excreted up to 4-5 days.
2. Transitional milk is produced from 4 - 5 days of life and up to 2 - 3 weeks
   has an intermediate composition between colostrum and
   mature milk.
nine0178 Mature milk is produced from 2 - 3 weeks of a child's life and
has a complete biological similarity with the child's body.

Composition of breast milk (see 10 benefits of breast milk).

Breastfeeding benefits:

1. Breast milk contains all the necessary ingredients in optimal ratios B:L:U=1:3:6
2. There is more protein in cow's milk, but it is coarsely dispersed (casein), so it is difficult to break down and digest, while breast milk protein is finely dispersed, practically does not require enzymes for splitting and, accordingly, is very well absorbed, therefore, allergic reactions develop much less often in infants
3. Human milk proteins contain all essential amino acids
4. Human milk contains protective antibodies against various infections
5. Contains significantly more unsaturated fatty acids that increase resistance to infections
6. More milk sugar (lactose), which promotes brain development, normalization of intestinal microflora
7. Less mineral salts compared to the composition of cow's milk (salts overload the kidneys, contribute to the further development of hypertension)
8. Optimal amount of vitamins, trace elements, enzymes
9. Breast milk is sterile (lower risk of intestinal infections)
10. Contains lecithin, which promotes the reproduction of brain cells
11. An increased need for food is fixed on artificial feeding - the risk of obesity at an older age.
12. Physical (biological maturation and aging) and sexual development are faster in artificers, and mental vice versa (intelligence, talent - breastfeeding for at least 6 months is necessary for their implementation)
13. The child accumulates (deposits) in the subcutaneous fat the best components of breast milk and then uses them for several years (for brain function)
14. Sucking promotes correct articulation, correct formation of the maxillofacial skull. Infants are less likely to have speech disorders.

Until now, a huge amount of nutrients in breast milk has not been deciphered (for example, taurine is needed for brain development, the formation of the retina of the eye, it is not found in cow's milk because calves do not need to go to school). nine0005

It is impossible to create a full-fledged substitute for women's milk also because, depending on the age of the child, the composition of women's milk changes, reflecting the changing needs of a growing organism, and feeding with donor milk will still be not natural, but pseudo-natural.

Benefits of early breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes after birth:

For the mother:

1. Promotes rapid contraction of the uterus, reducing the risk of bleeding, and rapid recovery; nine0005

2. Stimulates prolonged lactation;

3. Reduces the risk of developing mastitis

4. Early contact stimulates the feeling of motherhood.

For a child:

1. Promotes the formation of normal intestinal microflora

2. Reliable immunological protection is formed (on the second day of a child’s life, the number of antibodies in mother’s milk decreases by 2 times)

3. Stimulation of the sucking reflex

.Close psychological and emotional contact with the mother in the first hours after the stress - birth

Rules for first breastfeeding.

For the first time, the child is laid on the mother's stomach naked and covered with a sterile sheet before the end of the umbilical cord pulsation (if the state of health of the child and mother allows)

Recommendations for breastfeeding mothers:

1. Correct daily routine: sleep at least 8 hours a day, daytime sleep 1. 5 - 2 hours, walks in the fresh air, moderate exercise, positive emotional attitude, avoidance of stressful situations
2. The amount of liquid in the diet is increased by about 1 liter
3. The calorie content of the daily ration should be increased by 50% compared to the diet of a non-nursing woman of this age. Meat and (or) fish, dairy products (cottage cheese, cheese), vitamins are needed daily. Nutrition 4-5 times a day (as many times as the child feeds), in small portions, to stimulate milk production, drink a glass of tea with milk and cheese 10-15 minutes before feeding.
nine0178 Refrain from taking products that change the smell and taste of milk (fresh onion, garlic)
4. No medication before consulting a doctor
5. Do not abuse gas-forming (cucumbers, grapes), laxative (plums, beets) and fixing (nuts, pears), allergenic (strawberries, pineapple, red fish, eggs, honey) and tonic (strong tea, coffee, chocolate) products
6. Duration, usefulness of lactation significantly depend on the anamnesis of feeding of the woman herself. nine0180

Breastfeeding rules:

1. Wash breasts under running water, remove long hair
2. Get into a comfortable position - sitting, lying on your side
3. Make sure that the child is in a comfortable environment, and nothing distracts him from the feeding process (clean, dry, warmly dressed)
4. Check that the child's nasal breathing is free (if necessary, remove crusts from the nose)
5. Make sure that when suckling, the child grabs not only the nipple, but also the areola and that it does not rest with the nose against the mammary gland
6. In case of greedy suckling and/or active flow of milk, periodically hold the baby upright for several minutes, and then reattach to the breast
7. In case of sluggish sucking, the child falls asleep during feeding, wake him up (stroke the cheek, tickle the heels)
8. The duration of the first feedings is usually 30-40 minutes (this is the period of formation of lactation), then it takes an average of 20 minutes (in the first 5 minutes of feeding, the baby sucks 50% of the milk volume)
9. If the amount of milk in one breast is not enough to meet the needs of the child, then it is applied to the other, and the sequence is changed at the next feeding
10. Hold baby upright for 3-5 minutes after feeding to prevent regurgitation
11. Breast wash

Currently, free feeding is recommended for a newborn baby and children of the first months of life - the baby is applied to the breast at the first sign or demand (up to 12-16 times a day). This is done because in the first weeks after birth, the process of adapting the body of the nursing mother to the needs of the child takes place and frequent application solves the problem of the child's hunger and stimulates lactation in the mother. Up to 3-4 days of a child's life, the mammary glands secrete very little milk, but it contains a large amount of protein and fat in order to somehow satisfy the needs of the child. This milk is called colostrum. Then lactation gradually increases and the composition of milk (transitional) approaches the composition of mature milk: protein - about 2.5 g, fat - an average of 3 g, carbohydrates - 7 g. her nutrition, emotional state, hereditary characteristics of lactation. Nobody knows the norms of milk. For each “mother-child” pair, it is individual (in the “final” milk, fat is up to 17%, so it is impossible to calculate). All nutrition correction should go through mother's milk (nutrition of a nursing woman)

Difficulty in breastfeeding:

On the part of the child :

1. Rhinitis with impaired nasal breathing (secret suction, removal of crusts from the nose, use of vasoconstrictor drops before feeding)
2. Thrush (candidiasis stomatitis) - treatment of the oral mucosa with a 2% solution of baking soda after each feeding
3. Lack of sucking reflex (premature) - spoon or tube feeding

Maternal side

1. Flat, inverted nipple (special pads are used to make it easier for the baby to latch on)
2. Nipple abrasions and cracks (correct attachment to the breast so that the baby presses on the areola and does not pull the nipple, special ointments - bipanthen)
3. Milk stasis - correct feeding and expression of milk, use of a breast pump
4. Hypogalactia

Hypogalactia - a decrease in lactation, a very common problem of lactating women at present. nine0005

Possible signs of hypogalactia:

1. The child has become restless, sleeps poorly, cannot stand the interval between feedings
2. Decreased daily diuresis (became less likely to urinate)
3. Low weight gain, flat weight curve
4. Subjective sensation of an "empty" breast in a woman

Diagnosis of hypogalactia - carrying out control feeding, when the child is weighed before and after breastfeeding, the difference in weight is compared with the nutritional norm obtained for this child according to formula

Prevention and treatment of hypogalactia :

1. Breastfeeding promotion, psychotherapy
2. Prevention of cracks and mastitis
3. Compliance with diet and daily routine, support for other family members
4. Nettle decoction (20 g of dry leaves per liter of boiling water, leave for 45 minutes and drink 1 tbsp 3 times a day), anise, dill, oregano fruits, lactogenic herbs
5. Medications: vitamins E, A, PP, C, gendevit, aevit, prenatale, materna, dry brewer's yeast, apilac, microdoses of iodine
6. More frequent latching, latching on both breasts in one feeding

Quartz irradiation, UHF, massage, acupuncture

Mixed feeding

Mixed feeding is a type of feeding in which the child receives breast milk and supplementary feeding in the form of milk mixtures.

The effectiveness of mixed feeding depends on breast milk in the daily diet of the child:

• if the amount of mother's milk is half the daily
  diet (2/3, 3/4), then the effectiveness of mixed feeding
  is close to natural;
• if the amount of mother's milk is less than half of the
  daily ration (1/3, 1/4), then the effectiveness of mixed feeding
  is close to artificial;

Additives.

Supplements are dosed meals that are included in the diet as sources of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and as additional sources of the main ingredients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates). nine0005

A distinction is made between vitamin and protein supplements such as :

1. Fruit juices (puree) - apple, white cherry, white currant, apricot, peach, pear, plum (given in order of preference). They begin to introduce into the diet with drops, gradually increasing the amount to 40-60 ml. It is desirable that the first juices of the child be natural and fresh (home-made)
2. Cottage cheese (calcined) is also desirable home-made - 1-2 tablespoons of CaCl 9 are added to 200 ml of milk at the time of boiling0409 2 , then leans back on gauze, or milk cuisine, special baby food. Begin to introduce into the diet with grains and bring up to 40 grams per day
3. Egg yolk of a hard-boiled egg. From grains to 1/12 - 1/8 added to milk or vegetable puree (use with caution in the diet of allergy sufferers)

Supplementary

Complementary foods are meals that replace breast milk (milk formulas).

The reason for the introduction of supplementary food is hypogalactia, which in the mother leads to malnutrition of the child. nine0005

Signs of starvation:

1. Flattening and then decreasing weight curve
2. Restlessness, restless and interrupted sleep.
3. Decreased daily diuresis and frequency of urination.
4. Violation of the stool (constipation, diarrhea).

If all signs are present, then the mother and child are invited to the children's clinic in the healthy child's room for control feeding.

How to help latch on the nipple? nine0005

1. First grasp your breast with your thumb above the nipple and with your index finger below the nipple, then lightly rub your baby's lower lip with the nipple. This may be enough to stimulate the innate reflex: the baby will turn his head to the nipple and open his mouth.

2. When the baby opens its mouth wide, move the baby towards you (but do not move towards the baby). If the baby has grasped the nipple correctly, his lower lip will drop down. The lips of the baby should wrap around the nipple as much as possible along the contours of the areola. If the baby latch on the nipple correctly, you will hear a few sucking sounds, then a pause, followed by a swallowing sound. nine0180
3. With the correct latch on the nipple, the baby holds the mother's breast firmly. If you want to release the breast or transfer the baby to another breast, gently insert your finger between the baby's jaws to interrupt the suckling. Fingernails should be neatly trimmed so as not to scratch the lips of the child.

Criteria and timing for the introduction of complementary foods . Complementary foods - the introduction of a new food, more concentrated, gradually and consistently replacing breastfeeding. The need to introduce complementary foods is due to the growing needs of an actively growing child's body for energy, proteins, fats, and micronutrients. In addition, the child needs to take more dense food to stimulate the further development of the masticatory apparatus, motor and enzymatic functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Complementary foods are necessary for the introduction of new nutrients that are not found in milk and are necessary for the full growth and development of the child (vegetable protein, dietary fiber, fatty acids, etc. ). nine0005

When introducing complementary foods, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the child as much as possible. European baby nutrition experts say that the first complementary foods can be introduced no earlier than 4 months and no later than 6 months. Early introduction of complementary foods reduces the frequency and intensity of breastfeeding, which leads to a decrease in maternal lactation. In addition, early introduced complementary foods can lead to food sensitization, the development of dyspeptic manifestations due to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract. nine0074 The first complementary food in the form of milk porridge is introduced during the second morning feeding . Complementary foods are always given before breastfeeding. It is necessary to gradually increase the volume of porridge and reduce the amount of breast milk. Gluten-free cereals (rice, buckwheat, corn) should be used as the first cereal food. Cereals such as oatmeal, barley, semolina are introduced later, as these cereals contain gluten, which is not always well tolerated by infants. Complementary foods are introduced once a day, sometimes 10-15 attempts are needed for the child to perceive new food for him. Usually the first meal in the form of porridge is preferred for underweight children. For children who are overweight, as well as with a tendency to constipation, it is better to introduce the first complementary foods in the form of vegetable puree with the addition of vegetable oil. It should be remembered that complementary foods can only be introduced to a healthy child, and industrial dishes have advantages. nine0005

A new type of complementary food is introduced after assimilation of the full volume of the previous complementary food in 10–14 days.

The second food is vegetable puree. Vegetable puree must be monocomponent (from one type of vegetable). Preference is usually given to squash puree, cabbage of various varieties. Within 7-10 days, the volume of feeding is brought to the age norm. In the future, you can use multi-component vegetable purees. This type of complementary food is introduced in the third feeding. nine0074 Meat is introduced 2 weeks after the introduction of vegetable puree, but no later than 7 months. Meat must be added to vegetable puree. You can use different types of meat or canned meat (lean beef, turkey meat, horse meat, lean pork, chicken). Canned meat containing by-products (tongue, liver, heart) are introduced into the child's diet no earlier than 8 months. Meat broths are prohibited for infants. From 8 months, 1-2 times a week instead of meat, fish (fish puree) is included in the child's diet, it is an important source of complete protein, rich in phosphorus, fluorine, iodine. The age norm of fish at 11–12 months is 100–150 g. Salmon, pink salmon, chum must not!!! be included in the diet of a child of the first year of life due to the high content of fat and salt.

In accordance with modern concepts of nutrition, fruit juices and fruit purees should be introduced into the diet after the introduction of the main complementary foods - cereal, vegetable puree, meat. Fruit purees are introduced, like all complementary foods, gradually. The approximate volume of fruit puree is 10 ml for 1 month of life, but not more than 100 ml per day and is divided into 2 feedings. Fruit juices and fruit purees contain a diverse set of vitamins and minerals. Preference is given to industrial products. nine0005

From the age of 7–8 months, the yolk of a hard-boiled chicken egg is introduced into the child’s diet as a source of vitamins A and D, protein, etc. Begin the introduction of the yolk from a small amount and gradually bring it up to ½ yolk by 8–9 months life. From the age of 7 months, biscuits or crackers from white bread in the amount of 5 g can be introduced into the child's diet.

By the year the daily norm of bread is 10-15 g. From 8 months you can use wheat bread in the same amount. Rye bread is not recommended for infants due to its high salt content. Kefir and cow's milk are non-adapted dairy products, have a low content of essential food components, are highly allergenic and have an excessive osmotic load on the kidneys of an infant.

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