It might be difficult to get through the first six weeks of nursing. Your baby’s behaviour changes week to week, perplexing you. Here’s everything you need to know about the first few weeks so you can transition smoothly into parenthood.
Weeks 1 and 2: Bond With Your Baby
Bonding with your infant and establishing your milk supply are most crucial during the first two weeks. If at all possible, bring your baby to your chest as soon as he is born. The skin-to-skin contact will encourage your baby’s reflexes, and he’ll use his instincts to locate and latch on to the nipple. After you give delivery, it will take three to five days for your milk to arrive. That isn’t an issue. You’ll be making colostrum, a syrupy substance that contains all of your child’s essential nutrients. You can serve the breast as often as you want. During the first week, your infant should nurse every two to three hours. When you nurse your baby when he exhibits symptoms of hunger, such as slapping his tongue against the roof of his mouth or trying to suckle on your shoulder, your body will know how much milk to make to meet his needs. Nursing bras, tanks, and shirts will allow you to nurse regularly while remaining covered and comfortable when you aren’t. You may become engorged once your milk arrives. Breast engorgement can feel painful, and full breasts can feel stiff. Learning to express milk by hand helps ease pressure on your breasts, allowing them to soften sufficiently for a proper latch. During the first several weeks, your nipples may get slightly sensitive. They’re not used to dealing with this much dampness and friction. Gel pads can be slipped into your nursing bras to provide relief. Consult a lactation professional if you experience pain while breastfeeding or thereafter. They’ll assist you in ensuring that your infant latches properly. Nursing should not be a painful experience.
Weeks 3 and 4: Nurse on Demand
Your baby will be more alert by the third week. She is growing more efficient at getting the milk out, despite the fact that she is nursing for longer periods of time. Don’t be concerned if your nursing sessions don’t seem to be getting any longer. Your baby is likely getting everything she needs if she has a healthy latch, is gaining weight, and is making enough wet and dirty diapers. As your baby grows older, your milk will vary to provide the correct balance of nutrients for his or her development.
Is it necessary to place your baby on a feeding schedule? Your supply will be determined by the frequency of your nursing sessions till the three-month mark. Make sure you nurse on demand, or whenever your child is hungry, so your body can produce as much milk as your baby requires.
Weeks 5 and 6: Changes in Feeding Patterns
Between weeks four and six, babies go through growth spurts. When his feeding patterns change suddenly, you might be shocked. Infants may feed in clusters, seeking to breastfeed for hours at a time. Allow yourself to indulge in this activity; it is quite acceptable. Stimulating the breasts promotes them to create more milk, which is essential for your baby’s development. This is also a wonderful opportunity to put your breast pump to the test. If you plan to return to work or introduce a bottle in the near future, you may want to consider expressing some milk and give it to your baby. Your infant should not be experiencing nipple confusion at this point if nursing is going smoothly. Nursing, according to many women, is filled with difficulties. Another group claims that they simply placed their newborns on their breasts and their kids latches straight away. Your baby understands how to breastfeed because she simply needs to trust her instincts. You might be unsure what to do if you haven’t seen many women breastfeed, which is a distinct possibility in our culture. Throughout your journey, you will require assistance. Keep the phone number of a lactation consultant handy, and don’t be hesitant to call if you have any questions.
Dr. Chetna Jain, the department’s director of gynaecology and obstetrics, is an expert in the field who has garnered her knowledge over many years of practise. She is the greatest gynaecologist Gurgaon has to offer. Dr. Chetna’s CliniK is without a doubt the top hospital since she strives to provide the best possible care at affordable pricing so that a necessity like healthcare can be afforded by everybody. She practises by combining compassion, skill, and dedication to achieve the greatest results, which is why all of our patients, whom we refer to as family members, strongly recommend us.
