The postpartum Period

The ABC of breastfeeding: A is for Awareness; B is for Being Patient; C is for Comfort

1. Breastfeeding

Nursing can become an easy and natural bonding experience for mother and baby. However, sometimes the road to this wonderful experience is a little rocky. Here are some hints to smooth the way.

skin-to-skin after birth

newborns should be nursed when they show early signs/cues of hunger. These are rooting, hand-o-mouth movements, sucking on hand, small sounds. Crying is the late sign of hunger.

a baby needs the higher-fat "hind-milk" which comes towards the end of a feeding.

no supplement (sugar water, formula, etc.) unless ordered by a doctor.

each should receive equal stimulation and draining

lactation consultant 215-829-3644

frequent feeding in early weeks. Every few weeks babies go through a growth spurt when they seem to want to nurse all the time. Feed your baby more often when this happens

avoid bottle nipples and pacifiers. Some babies may develop "nipple confusion"

breastfeeding challenges: breast infection (mastitis), "colicky" baby

getting a good latch, sore nipples, a lump within your breast, infection, contact your physician to discuss treatment

You may, lose weight faster as a breastfeeding mother than as a bottle-feeding mother, since making milk uses energy (calories)

many women who breastfeed today express and store breast milk with a breast pump.

before expressing milk, use both hands to massage the breast in a circular motion toward the nipple. This will stimulate the letdown reflex and encourage milk flow.

2. Breastfeeding is going well when...

nurse comfortably in various positions: cradle, or football hold

In the first week, you may experience uterine cramping each time you nurse

Baby nurses at least 8-1 times each 24 hours

baby has 1 or 2 wet diapers the first day and gradually increases to at least 6-8 heavy wet diapers by the end of week one.

Baby has 1-2 bowel movements the first day and gradually increase to 4 or more per day as the mature milk comes in: the color changes from sticky green-black to a loose, yellow curd-like (mustard) stool by the end of the first week.

3. Some difficulties

Lochia ˈləukiə 恶露

difficulty urinating

fear of having first bowel movement (stool softener, suppository [səˈpɔzitəri] or laxative)

hemorrhoids 痔疮

pain from repair of episiotomy侧切 (apply ice pack first 12 hours, take warm sitz baths, apply sprays or foams)

postpartum depression

4. Life With Your Newborn

States of Activity: Crying, active alert, quiet alert, drowsiness (eyes dull, eyes may roll upward)active sleep (smiles, frowns, sucks, breaths irregular, eyes may flutter or move under lids), quiet sleep

Active Baby: wants attention, moves with vigorous thrusts and kicks, kicks through baths and diaper changes, protests often

Play with your Newborn:

talk or read, varying the pitch of your voice

sing

exaggerate expressions with your face: smile, frown, open mouth in surprise

stick your tongue out and in slowly and see if baby repeats your action

stroke, massage your baby with gentle pressure from chest to fingers, head to toes

straighten then bend arms, leg

let baby grasp your thumbs

guide baby's hand to touch your face

shake a rattle, bell, keys

let them track colored balls

Look in a mirror together, point to everyone

play music and dance with your baby

Soothing Techniques:

All babies have fussy periods throughout the day.

Babies love movement. Rocking, walking, or swaying settles most fussy babies.

They love being carried in a sling or pack

enjoy being tightly swaddled like being snug in the womb

love to snuggle with dad and sleep on his chest

white noise, shushing sounds

add pressure on the tummy