Why does baby squirm while feeding

16 Reasons Behind a Baby Squirming When Breastfeeding

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Do you ever feel like your baby is constantly squirming when you’re breastfeeding? It can be really frustrating but don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many mothers experience this phenomenon. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the possible reasons why your baby is squirming and how to deal with it. We hope that this information will help make breastfeeding a more enjoyable experience for both you and your little one.

When breastfeeding, it’s normal for your baby to squirm and move around.

Babies often squirm when they’re breastfeeding because it feels good and they’re getting milk. However, if your baby is squirming a lot, seems to be in pain, or is just being a fussy baby, it may be a sign that something isn’t quite right.

In most cases, baby squirming is nothing to worry about. However, in this article, we’ll discuss possible causes behind squirminess during feeding time and important things you should keep in mind.

Table Of Contents

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Reasons Why a Baby Squirms While Breastfeeding

Slow Letdown
Fast letdown
Gas
Hunger
Tiredness
Overstimulation
Growth Spurt/Developmental Leap
Diaper
Distracted
Uneven Breasts
Reflux
Thrush
Positioning
Teething
Illness
Finished Eating

Is baby squirming a cause for concern?
How can I make breastfeeding more comfortable for my baby?
What should I do if my baby is in pain while breastfeeding?
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Reasons Why a Baby Squirms While Breastfeeding

There are some common reasons why breastfed babies squirm while breastfeeding. In most cases, baby squirming is just a sign that they’re comfortable and get all the milk they need. However, there are a few things that might be the culprit your baby is squirming excessively or seems to be in discomfort.

These are the top reasons:

Gas
Slow letdown
Fast letdown
Hunger
Tiredness
Overstimulation
Growth Spurt/Developmental Leap
Diaper
Distracted
Uneven Breasts
Reflux
Thrush
Positioning
Teething
Illness
Finished Eating

Slow Letdown

If your baby is squirming and seems frustrated, it could be because your milk is taking too long to let down. When the baby begins to nurse, they stimulate the release of oxytocin, which causes the milk to let down. In some cases, this process can take a few minutes. If baby gets impatient, they may start to squirm.

To help with a slower letdown, you can :

Do breast compressions/massage before and during your nursing session
Hand express to a letdown for a particularly fussy baby
Switchback and forth every 1-2 minutes to keep baby engaged and to help elicit the letdown

Fast letdown

If your baby is squirming because of a fast or overactive letdown, it may be because the milk is coming out too quickly for them to handle. Managing a fast letdown can be tricky – sometimes they happen because of an oversupply of milk, while other times it just happens.

Certain positions can be better for a fast letdown than others. Some women find success with blocking off a milk duct by gently applying pressure in a “karate chop” position to the breast.

Gas

Another common reason baby is squirming might be because they have a lot of gas in their tummy. This can sometimes make the baby feel uncomfortable or bloated, which can lead to excessive squirming.

This is common in the early days of breastfeeding, due to infants having immature digestive systems. It can also happen if they have a poor latch which makes them bring in a lot of air, from a fast letdown where they get a fast flow of milk, or because of food allergies/intolerances.

Here is a great article about the different causes behind a gassy baby. But sometimes, all you need to do is help your baby get a good burp to help with gas issues.

Hunger

Your baby might just simply be hungry – which might make them more impatient for a letdown. If you find that this is happening frequently, you may want to pay closer attention to early hunger signs to ensure you are feeding your baby when they are in the early hunger stages – not the late.

Tiredness

If the baby is squirming and seems to be falling asleep, it could be a sign that they’re tired. When a baby is tired, they may start to fuss and squirm. They may settle and fall asleep as they start to nurse, or they may just not want to eat right then. Try giving them a short nap and try to feed them again later.

Overstimulation

Another common reason for baby squirming is overstimulation. When a baby is breastfeeding, they are also taking in all the sights and sounds around them. This can be overwhelming for them, causing them to squirm and try to escape the situation.

Growth Spurt/Developmental Leap

The baby may be squirming because of growth spurts or a developmental leap. During these times, babies may be extra hungry and need more milk to keep up with their growing bodies.

During these times, they can be more interested in the world around them and have less patience. In this situation, just try and offer the breast as much as you can and be patient – this stage will pass!

Diaper

A wet or dirty diaper can also cause the baby to squirm. If a baby’s diaper is full, they will squirm and cry until you change it. Some babies are more sensitive to soiled diapers than others, so you may want to make a habit of making sure your baby has a clean diaper before feeding.

Distracted

Your baby may squirm if they’re getting distracted while breastfeeding. This is common if the baby is trying to look around the room or if there’s something else going on that’s grabbing their attention.

Here is some great advice on how to manage distracted nursing – 14 Tips for Surviving Distracted Nursing.

Uneven Breasts

Most women have a “slacker” side, or one side that seems to have a slower flow or produce less milk. If your baby doesn’t like that side as much, they may squirm more to show their dissatisfaction.

More on this topic – Lopsided Breastfeeding? How to Fix a Slacker Breast

Reflux

If a baby has gastroesophageal reflux disease, they may start to squirm and cry at the breast. This is because the acid from their stomach is coming back up, causing them to feel uncomfortable.

Laidback nursing can be helpful as it keeps your baby in a more upright position. Chiropractic adjustments can also be really helpful for helping with reflux.

Thrush

If a baby is squirming because of thrush, it’s important to take them to the doctor for treatment. Thrush can make the baby uncomfortable and fussy while breastfeeding, so it’s essential to get medical help right away.

Positioning

Sometimes your baby just doesn’t like the position they are in, and they are squirming to get more comfortable!

There are different positions you can try and experiment with. While a newborn baby can’t tell you why they are uncomfortable, sometimes a different position is just the trick. I am personally a fan of the cross-cradle hold and side-lying.

Teething

The baby may start to squirm and cry when they’re teething. This is because the pain from teething can be uncomfortable and the baby may want to find a way to relieve it.

Illness

If a baby seems to be fussy all the time, it could be a sign that they are sick. the baby may start to squirm if their illness is causing them discomfort or pain. Ear infections are one of the more common ailments to cause a disruption to breastfeeding.

Finished Eating

If the baby seems to be done nursing, it may be a sign that they are full and no longer need any more milk. In this case, you should try burping the baby and then putting them down for a nap or cuddle session. Ultimately, the best thing you can do is pay attention to the baby’s cues and respond accordingly to their needs.

Is baby squirming a cause for concern?

The good news is, this type of behavior while breastfeeding is not usually a cause for concern. However, if you have any concerns, make sure you reach out to a lactation professional or your child’s care provider.

Here are a few signs that maybe this squirming is more than just normal infant behavior:

baby’s fussiness occurs all day long
poor weight gain
drop in diaper output
frequently falling asleep at the breast before taking in a full feed

When you are trying to determine the cause of the squirming, here are a few questions to consider:

Is it happening at the start, middle, or end of the feed
Does it last the whole feed or just for a short time?
Will they still nurse?
Is it combined with other fussy behavior?
Are you experiencing cracked or damaged nipples?

How can I make breastfeeding more comfortable for my baby?

There are a few things you can do to make breastfeeding more comfortable for your baby. Here are some things to try:

Try a new position
Remove distractions
Do skin-to-skin contact
Nurse in a bath
Burp baby
Stop and try again later
Ensure a good latch
Determine underlying causes

What should I do if my baby is in pain while breastfeeding?

If baby squirming is accompanied by signs of pain or discomfort, such as increased agitation, pulling away from the breast, and grimacing, you should consider reaching out to a medical professional In some cases, baby squirming may be a symptom of an underlying condition that requires treatment.

To get help for your baby, speak to your doctor or a lactation consultant. They can help you identify the root cause of the baby’s discomfort and work with you to come up with an appropriate treatment plan.

If your baby is squirming a lot, it could be for any number of reasons. Hopefully, the tips in this post have given you some ideas on how to troubleshoot and alleviate the problem – most of the time, this is just a normal stage that will get better after a short time.

Always remember to consult with your pediatrician if you’re concerned about your baby’s health or well-being. And please share with us what solutions worked best for you in the comments below!

13 Reasons Why & How To Solve Them

Breastfed babies are often imagined as these adorable, sleepy little things, suckling away at breast milk and staring into mom’s eyes, the perfect picture of calm splendor.

Then you have your newborn baby and find out quickly that it’s not quite like that in real life.

A baby squirming while breastfeeding can be daunting for old and new parents alike.

Whether bottle-feeding breast milk or latching and nursing, you still end up with a fussy baby now and then, and the baby squirms like a fish out of water rather than having that peaceful and serene skin-to-skin contact you see in the movies.

And that’s okay. Life isn’t a movie. If your baby doesn’t always fall asleep moments after the baby’s mouth finds the nipple, while your milk flow remains an open tap, you’re not in the minority.

It happens to a lot of us.

Why is my baby fussing when fed?

Many different factors can be considered on babies squirming while breastfeeding.

Bottle-fed babies may have different reasons for squirming than nursing mothers and their babies, but you can get to the bottom of it.

It just takes some determination and the process of elimination.

The following are the different reasons why your baby squirms when feeding.

Getting answers as to why it’s happening is the first step in correcting the issue. The mother and the baby will instead have a more peaceful session together, so let’s investigate!

Baby squirming while breastfeeding

If you sometimes bottlefeed your baby and nurse other times, and the squirming seems more prevalent when you nurse, then it’s important to pay attention to the issues mentioned in this section.

1. The position makes the baby uncomfortable

If your baby is squirming during a nursing session in a position that used not to bother them, it can be that baby has hit one of many growth spurts they will experience during development. They may no longer fit comfortably in the position they’re used to being in.

Fussy behavior due to an uncomfortable position may include the baby stopping to nurse, thrashing their head, spitting out the nipple, kicking, and even using their arms to push away from you.

Young babies turn their heads from side to side, trying to get away.

Trying a different position or adjusting your feeding schedule so that baby is getting enough milk is one way to remedy this issue.

A growth spurt means you have a hungry baby more often, and a breastfed baby sometimes pulls away in response to overwhelming hunger.

If the baby is squirming and seems smashed into the position or so hungry that the baby begins to throw tantrums when offered the breast, then change your position, and adjust how often you feed.

You can consult your lactation consultant if you are unsure how much more milk your little one should get as they grow bigger and start to develop more.

You may try letting the baby feed on demand for a while.

2. Slow letdown

If your baby is squirming, or if you feel the baby pull hard on your breast or nipple impatiently for the first few minutes of nursing, you may have a delayed letdown, which can be very frustrating for a baby.

When the baby sucks and nothing happens, you may hear the baby grunt or feel the baby squirm while breastfeeding.

They may be losing their patience. They want an immediate milk flow and get frustrated when they can’t get any.

To remedy this issue, try some breast compressions, or squeeze it gently for a few minutes before latching baby so that the letdown has time to come in.

3. Forceful letdown

It may overwhelm your baby if you have a very fast letdown.

This can happen in one breast or both, so you must pay attention to whether your baby squirms when trying to nurse from just one side.

To remedy this and not waterboard your baby with your milk, try pumping for a few minutes to get the letdown out of the way, and then offer the breast.

4. Ear infection

Many babies will fuss or wiggle away when feeding if they have an ear infection or other health issues.

Baby’s health is of utmost importance, so if the baby wriggles away every time you try to nurse on one side or notice other signs of ear issues, then call your child’s doctor and make an appointment.

Remember, babies can’t tell you they don’t feel good, so you have to watch their cues to find out if they are in pain or discomfort.

Other signs include ear pulling, hair pulling, crying, not sleeping, fever, and ear discharge.

5. Poor latch

If your baby can’t get a good latch, then they aren’t getting the fast flow of milk they want from a feeding session, and it’s very frustrating for both you and your baby.

New parents may not be able to recognize what a bad latch looks like automatically, but with a little bit of information, you may be able to start spotting it quickly when it happens.

You should not be able to see any nipple or areola. That should be deep in the mouth of your baby.

If latching suddenly starts to feel uncomfortable, or if you notice that you have sore nipples, then you may not be getting a good latch.

If you are having trouble getting the baby to latch correctly, make an appointment with a lactation consultant to learn how to get the best latch possible.

6. Thrush

Thrush is an oral infection that causes a minimal amount of pain. It comes from too much yeast.

If the baby pulls away from the breast, and there is a white film or coating on the inside of your baby’s mouth and the tongue, then it may be thrush, and your baby may need an antibiotic.

Thrush looks like milk residue, but it doesn’t wipe away easily.

Don’t pick at it, and don’t stop feeding the baby. You and your baby may both need treatment for it.

7. The baby’s diaper is soiled

It’s very inconvenient to stop nursing to change a diaper.

You may think you’ll be better off just finishing the nursing session and then changing the dirty diaper.

However, baby prefers a clean butt.

Taking the time to stop nursing long enough to change the diaper and then offering more milk may make all the difference in the world when it comes to the baby squirming away from you.

Baby fights bottle but is hungry

It’s hard to tell, at least in the early stages of infancy, why a hungry baby will pull away from a bottle.

Why wouldn’t someone eat when they are hungry?

A baby who uses a bottle doesn’t have to worry about a good latch or a letdown, so why wouldn’t the little one just relax and take the bottle?

While some of the issues listed above, like ear problems, thrush, or a dirty diaper, can all be reasons your baby is refusing the bottle, there are a few other reasons you may be seeing this behavior in babies.

1. Food sensitivity

You may notice that when you offer a baby bottle, your child is excited about it until about halfway through.

Then, suddenly, it’s like a switch gets flipped, and the baby is no longer interested and refuses to eat.

Your baby may have a sensitivity to the food you are feeding.

If you supplement with formula, try changing the type of formula. This may give you a much different feeding experience.

2. Gastroesophageal reflux disease

More commonly known as GERD, or simply acid reflux, it occurs when the stomach acid in the belly moves upward and into the esophagus.

Many women have extreme heartburn when pregnant.

Imagine that same feeling with a newborn who doesn’t understand what is happening.

You can see a doctor to find out whether some medication is warranted, but you can also make immediate changes that may help.

Feeding the baby in a more upright position instead of a prone or flat position helps the stomach acid to stay where it should be due to gravity.

3. Baby is tired

Falling asleep when feeding is more common with a newborn or young infant.

It’s a normal stage of development, and getting enough sleep helps them make huge leaps forward in their growth.

Be sure that you feed your little ones while they are wide awake.

When babies sleep in the middle of breastfeeding or having a bottle, they get fussy when they are woken up. Also, waking them during a nap disrupts their body’s development and the reinforcement of the immune system.

4. The baby would rather have solid foods

If you have started feeding solid foods, the baby may just not have much interest in a baby bottle anymore.

Babies who have experienced the textures and flavors of different table foods often start to reject formula and breast milk and may begin to demonstrate squirming away or fighting you.

Infants must be fed breast milk or formula until twelve months of age, but before that, you may slowly wean them so they can start trying real foods.

Keep trying to bottle feed your baby; if they refuse to do it, call your pediatrician and explain what is happening.

You can do other things to ensure your baby gets the breast milk they need for their development.

You can make breast milk popsicles, breast milk snacks, and even breast milk smoothies to give to your little one who has decided they are too big for a bottle.

5. The bottle is too tight

If the nipple is secured too tightly inside the ring on the neck of the bottle, your little one may have trouble getting the milk out of it.

A pressure vacuum occurs, and your baby must work much harder to get any of the milk.

For lazy eaters (there are a lot of them), it can be frustrating and not worth it to work so hard to get the milk needed from the bottle.

Adjust and loosen your bottles (obviously not so that they’re leaking milk) and see if it makes any difference in your child’s willingness to eat.

6. The baby doesn’t like the bottle

Some babies are just picky.

If you take a group of parents and bring up the subject of baby bottles, you will hear comments like, “My little one will only use (insert brand here) bottles and will rather starve before using a different brand.”

That mom may sound overly dramatic, but chances are, she’s not.

Babies can be picky about bottles, just like adults are picky about brands of other items.

Some nipples are hard, some are soft, some are big, some are small, and some actual bottles are easier to grip, etc.

Not all baby bottles are created equally.

If your child seems to want nothing to do with the actual bottle, you may need to try a different brand.

Ask your friends or pediatrician which baby bottles they will recommend.

Do some research, and try different brands until you find the one that baby loves.

Squirmy babies at feeding time

It is frustrating to start feeding your infant and discover that it’s like trying to bathe a cat rather than the sweet bonding experience you were hoping for.

But it doesn’t have to be like that forever.

Taking the time to educate yourself on the issues causing this squirming and fighting can go a long way towards correcting the problem.

It just takes a little bit of amateur detective work.

90,000 12 causes of concern for a child when breastfeeding. Why does a baby cry during breastfeeding

In the first weeks after birth, a newborn and his mother only get used to each other, and much of the baby's behavior is unclear to the mother. Why, for example, does a child worry at the breast during feeding? There are many reasons for this, and we decided to describe them and offer ways to overcome difficulties. Let's start with the cause of the child's anxiety, which mothers call the first, but which really exists least of all.

Lack of milk

This is the first thing that comes to the mind of a nursing mother whose baby cries a lot, including at the breast. One of the biggest challenges with breastfeeding, oddly enough, is that breastfeeding moms don't know exactly how much milk their babies are getting or if they're getting enough.

If your child is overly restless, most outside well-wishers will likely point out to you that the baby is probably hungry. Since you are a mother, such remarks can make you feel guilty. After all, it is your responsibility to feed the child! How to dispel doubts and fears associated with a lack of milk?

Watch your baby urinate and defecate. After the sixth day of life, you should receive at least six wet diapers and one dirty diaper per day. If so, then your baby is getting enough milk.
Frequent feedings are normal. In the first few weeks of life, a newborn usually needs 8-12 feedings per day. At the very beginning, you may at times have to keep it near your chest almost all the time. For several hours, he will demand it very often, and then fall asleep for four to five hours. As the baby learns to suckle more effectively, the number of feeds decreases.
Keep track of your baby's weight. By two weeks, the baby should have regained the weight it was born with and gain at least 150 grams per week for the next two to three months.

If you are still worried that you are not getting enough milk, you may find it helpful to have a lactation consultant who will monitor, assess your baby's weight gain and suggest ways to increase your milk supply, if needed.

Swelling of the breast

Sometimes the child's restless behavior at the breast is caused by breast swelling. Excessive breast swelling most often occurs in the first weeks after childbirth. To reduce it, express some milk manually or with a quality breast pump to make the breast softer and easier for the baby to take it. Don't express too much milk, as this can cause you to produce too much milk later on, which will only make the swelling worse. Apply cold compresses to your breasts between feedings to reduce swelling and soreness.

Flat or indented nipples

Also, the baby may be nervous to latch onto the breast if the mother has flat or indented nipples. To stretch them, you can wear special pads between feedings. Turning on the pump for a few minutes before putting the baby to the breast will help elongate the nipples and also start the flow of milk so that the baby will immediately receive it and is more likely to continue sucking instead of dropping the breast and crying.

In some cases, a woman has to use pads that encourage sucking until her nipples become more prominent. This should happen after about two to four weeks of breastfeeding. If you are having trouble with flat or sunken nipples, seek help from a lactation consultant as soon as possible.

Incorrect attachment, awkward posture

Another cause of restless behavior at the chest is incorrect position . Both the mother and the baby may be uncomfortable, due to which the effect on the breast is not as it should be, and a sufficient flow of milk is disturbed. If your baby is very nervous, your best bet is to use the underarm position (when you hold the baby to your side, holding him tightly against your nearest breast) or the "cradle" position (when you hold the baby horizontally at your chest), as these positions allow you to control his head.

These postures allow you to guide the baby to the breast and hold him there. The baby's nose and chin should be pressed into the mother's chest. As a rule, he suckles better when his mother holds him tightly. If something makes you feel uncomfortable while feeding, contact a consultant. Perhaps this is the reason for your baby's anxiety.

Gastroesophageal reflux

Almost all children have some degree of gastroesophageal reflux. This medical term refers to a condition in which the annular muscle (sphincter) that blocks the entrance to the stomach has not yet fully formed and does not always completely close the opening. Because of this, some milk, along with gastric juice, can flow back into the esophagus, causing a sensation that we call "heartburn."

As anyone who has ever experienced it knows, it is quite an unpleasant sensation. Just as an adult can relieve heartburn by sitting with a straight back, a child can also usually benefit from being held upright.

Sometimes reflux can occur during feeding. Its appearance can be prevented by holding the child more upright or periodically taking breaks so that the baby “stood” a little. As the child develops, so does the musculature, so that cases of reflux become rarer.

Sometimes the problem is so severe that the child is unable to eat normally due to reflux. In such cases, you must consult a doctor.

Increased flatulence

All newborns have flatulence . When a child begins to eat, he starts reflex gas production, which is necessary for the waste generated during nutrition to be removed from the body more quickly. This prevents constipation.

Since breast milk is very easy to digest, it takes very little time for this food to pass through the baby's gastrointestinal tract. You can often hear characteristic sounds while the baby is still suckling. Although all children have gas, some tolerate it better than others. The time of day can also influence this. Apparently, the problem of flatulence becomes more noticeable at the end of the day. Traditionally, this time is considered the most hectic. The child seems to not want to let go of the breast at all, and this, in turn, can aggravate flatulence. This problem disappears on its own as the baby develops.

How to calm a crying baby
Many of the methods that promote calming are somehow related to the imitation of intrauterine conditions. Make sure that the air temperature is comfortable - not too hot and not too cool. Change diapers promptly. The baby can feel peace if he is held tightly to him or rocked. Swaddling or monotonous sounds - music or the buzzing of electrical appliances - may turn out to be effective. You can carry your baby in a sling, thereby providing him with comfort and getting the opportunity to do some business at the same time.
You can involve one of the family members in calming the child - for example, a father, grandmother or grandfather; in this case, the baby will not feel the smell of breast milk coming from the mother, which can excite him. In addition, this will give the mother the opportunity to devote some time to herself.

Physiological lactase deficiency

At the beginning of feeding, mother's milk is more saturated with milk sugar - lactose. It's called "front". After 10-15 minutes of feeding with the same breast, she begins to produce "hind" milk. It is richer in fats, which neutralize lactose and thereby reduce gas formation. If the baby is getting too much foremilk and not getting enough hindmilk, an excess of lactose and a lack of the lactase enzyme, which increases flatulence.

Try to have your baby suckle from one breast for at least 12-15 minutes to get the hind milk. When the baby grows up and sucks more efficiently, it will get to him in a shorter period of time after the start of feeding. Hindmilk has a calming effect and helps restless babies fall asleep. Most newborns naturally fall asleep at the end of a feed due to the calming action of hindmilk.

The baby chokes on milk

While the baby is just learning to breastfeed, the so-called milk ejection reflex can be too powerful for him and lead to him choking. Because of this, the baby can drop the breast and start to get nervous. Press firmly on the breast for about a minute to stop the too rapid flow of milk, and then put the baby back on the breast. Try expressing some milk before feeding and see if you can trigger the ejection reflex before the baby takes the breast. Feed your baby in the underarm position. As the baby gets older, it will be able to cope with the consequences of the milk ejection reflex in any position for feeding without any problems.

Smell

In rare cases, the baby becomes nervous and throws up the breast because of the soaps or creams you put on the breasts or nipples . If you start using some new remedy, and the child becomes more nervous, wash it off and start feeding again.

Thrush

The baby may develop a yeast infection in the mouth or on the nipples - the so-called thrush. You will see white spots in the child's mouth.

Your nipples may become bright red or itchy and burn after feeding. During feeding, the baby may be more restless than usual.

See a doctor. If he confirms that you have a fungal infection, both you and the child will have to undergo treatment.

Too noisy and too bright

In some children, excessive anxiety is associated with overstimulation. They can behave more calmly during feeding if it takes place in a darkened and quiet room.

Wants to calm down with the breast

Before 12 weeks, babies have little ability to soothe themselves and often reach for the breast just for comfort. They begin to suck to calm down, not experiencing at this moment the need for food. For parents, this need of the baby should be on a par with all the other vital things that you provide to the child.

The main causes of restless behavior of the newborn disappear after the first six weeks. Some problems may exist for a little longer, but they are usually resolved by three months.

During this period, you must definitely take care of yourself. Eat well. Drink plenty of fluids and exercise outdoors. Try a variety of relaxation techniques—yoga, meditation, massage, or a warm bath—to help you get through the tough times.
Share your feelings with the child's father and other family members, and have them take turns comforting, lulling, and rocking the child.
Set small goals for yourself, like reading one chapter from a book or going for a walk for 15 minutes.
Group classes for young mothers are very useful, because there you will find out that other mothers and their children, like you and your child, go through exactly the same period of adjustment.
The main thing you need to remember is that this is a very short period in your own life and the life of your baby. Try to hug and cuddle your child as often as possible to help him get through a difficult time for him. Together you will succeed.

12 reasons why breastfeeding is not just about milk

Breastfeeding is the right choice for expectant mothers and their babies.

Increasingly, at appointments, pediatricians on the day of a healthy child are faced with the problems of breastfeeding in new mothers. This problem is very relevant, because at the moment in the world there is a "boom" of breastfeeding, and that's fine.
It is important to remember that the best food for a baby is and will always be the mother's breast milk in the first year of life.
Breastfeeding is a natural process that replaces pregnancy and childbirth. A newborn and his mother equally need breastfeeding.

12 reasons why breastfeeding is not just about milk.

1. Calm down. Babies have a need to suck. Even when the baby is full, the baby can still continue to breastfeed. Even if you are scared by the thought that your baby is “hanging on his chest” too much and for you this means that he is not full, then this is not so. The child has one of the most pronounced reflexes in the first weeks of life - the sucking reflex. And best of all, he satisfies him naturally, and not through pacifiers or bottles.

2. Analgesic effect. Attachment to the chest helps to remove pain from cutting teeth, ear pain and other similar phenomena. Note that this is not always the case. If your child is restless on the chest, draws his legs during feeding, is naughty, hits his ears, then it is best to contact a specialist to examine the child.

3. Quenching thirst. Breast milk contains a lot of water, so the baby can take it if he wants to drink, but not eat.
It is important not to supplement your breastfeeding baby! If your personal physician or consultant claims otherwise, you should consider another candidate. Supplementation with water takes place to be bottle-fed. Don't force your child to drink water if he doesn't want to.

4. Natural medicine. If a child is sick, he may ask for a breast more often, because his body dictates to him so. Babies are less likely to get sick while breastfed. Most often, parents do not experience respiratory diseases in the first year of a child's life.

5. Relaxation. When the baby is overworked or frightened, the chest will help to relax and calm him down. First of all, here plays the role of contact between mother and child. The baby has no one dearer and closer than the mother, and this will continue for the first years, until the child socializes and feels himself in society. Mom is like a whole world for him, and when a child feels warmth and mother's touch, he feels completely safe. At the time of breastfeeding, this is especially pronounced.

6. Sleeping pills. An interesting fact: at night, the level of melatonin, a natural sleeping pill for an infant, rises in breast milk. Perhaps that is why most babies fall asleep on their breasts with ease. And at the same time they continue to suck

7. Breast milk is easily digested. There is no danger of overfeeding the baby, you can breastfeed whenever you ask. When feeding with a mixture, you should always monitor the amount eaten per day.

8. Sucking regulates milk production. Every time a baby is breastfed, it shows the mother's body how much milk she needs. It is important not to skip breastfeeding on demand so that milk is produced in sufficient quantities. The same applies to the quality and composition of milk.

9. Attachment. When a baby suckles, the mother's body releases the hormone oxytocin, also known as the love hormone. And the truth is, every time you feed a child, you fall in love with each other even more.

10. Everything is free! Why buy bottles, breast pumps, bags...? Breast milk is both healthy and free. No bottles and nipples, it's better to once again spend money on really necessary or pleasant things for the baby, or for yourself)

11. Breast milk from the breast is always at the ideal temperature. No need to freeze, defrost, heat…

13. You can get enough sleep while breastfeeding☺ Believe it or not, many breastfeeding moms say they get enough sleep even though no one helps them with nighttime feeds. And the reason is that they don't have to get out of bed to cook and heat the formula. Breastfeeding mothers, and especially those who practice co-sleeping, breastfeed the baby that has not yet fully woken up, which allows both of them to fall asleep sooner.

Dear mothers, remember that these moments of solitude and your contact with your baby will never be repeated. The child grows very quickly, especially for parents. Over time, he will have his own priorities and you will sadly remember those sweet moments when you were together and really needed each other.
Everything is fine in breastfeeding and the most important thing is that there is not a single minus in it.
“When a child cries or throws a tantrum to get our attention, one should not think that he does it out of spite or capriciousness; proceed from the fact that he really needs us and loves us.