Infants are required to be breast fed frequently, though the duration of each feed and the frequency required by each infant, differs from child to child. There are no hard and fast rules to this. Just in case you are a mother to a newborn and have some concerns regarding breast-feeding, here comes your guide-
What should be the frequency of the breast feed?
Simple, breast-feed the baby whenever she is hungry. As a mother, by now you can surely make out as to whether the child is crying out of hunger or out of colic pain. But, as a general rule, each child is to be fed every 3 hours, though for some infants this interval can be shorter.
If baby cries continually does that mean that she is hungry?
Not necessarily, your baby could cry out of hunger, colic or any other kind of pain. Generally, if the child cries immediately after a feed or soon after, that would imply that she is crying because of some other reason. It could be a wet nappy or just a feeling of discomfort; whatever it is, it would not be hunger.
What should be the duration of each feed?
Again, this depends upon the child; some of the infants are slow suckers while others are fast suckers. It all depends upon your child, but once he is satiated, you would surely know the same. Those apart, do not try to metamorphose a slow drinker in to a fast one. Each child has their own tendencies. You would have also noticed that many times, your child also falls asleep during the feed and starts sucking the nipples as you try to move them away. In such a case, do not forcibly remove your child away from the nipple. Let your child have as much milk as she wants.
Should I make her suck one breast or both of them?
Infants require both the milks, that is, the fore milk that is rich in protein, lactose, vitamins, minerals and, hind milk that is rich in fat. It is the foremilk that will go on to quench the thirst of the child whereas the hind milk will provide the calories. It is for this very reason it is important that the child is allowed to keep sucking from one breast only, until he gets satiated and leaves the breast herself. But then, you should alternate the sides for each feed so that you get even supply of milk from each of the breasts.
What if I have small breasts?
The size of your breasts has nothing to do with the milk supply even if you have small breasts. Be assured that your child will get enough milk to satiate herself. This is so because of the fact the milk glands are in the back part of the breasts, so the size of the breast does not make any difference here.
How do I know that my child is getting enough milk?
More a child suckles; more is the quantity of milk produced. Though certain women may complain that their infant is not getting enough milk; this may have to do more with the position of breastfeeding rather than the amount of milk. There is only one thumb rule to it. More a child suckles; more is the amount of milk produced.
Are there any drugs that one can take upon to increase the milk supply?
Though there are certain drugs like Perinorm, available in the market that may help you to increase the flow of milk but nothing works better that suckling. If your child is suckling enough and you are not bottle feeding her, there is no doubt that you will be producing enough milk.