LACK OF APPETITE IN BABIES. IS MY BABY GETTING ENOUGH BREAST MILK
Most New mother's are super anxious about their newborns. They are worried about whether the baby is getting enough breast milk. Is the supply good enough. Is he/she satisfied. Hope my baby doesn't remain hungry and many mothers also start formula milk as a substitute to breast milk thinking that the baby is not getting enough. This post is for all of them. This post will clear most myths that new mother's have regarding the appetite of the babies and the supply of breast milk.
"NOTHING CAN SUBSTITUTE BREAST MILK / MOTHER'S MILK". EVEN THE FORMULA MILK CONTAINER STATES THAT.....
Breast milk is the best form of nutrition for little infants and I always advocate giving breast milk to babies very strongly. The important thing is how would one know whether the breast milk supply is enough or not....Most new mothers worry that they are not getting enough breast milk but many times the breast milk supply is good enough. So always ensure that you massage the breast well and squeeze out before you latch on the baby to your breast. You can consult your doctor/ a nurse/ midwife on how to do this.
A breast feeding mother should have good nutrition and timely intake of food.
I strongly recommend Shatavari for increase in breast milk.
It's tried and tested. It's available in a Granulated Sugar form which can be added to milk or Himalaya Herbals sell them in Capsule form. I personally prefer the granulated sugar form.
Another problem is, new mothers always latch their babies on to their breasts the moment they cry. Crying could be related to various reasons and not only hunger.
Breastfeeding should be "on demand" (when your baby is hungry), which is generally every 1-3 hours. As newborns get older, they'll need to nurse less frequently — some may feed every hour and a half, whereas others may go 2-3 hours between feedings. Babies who are getting formula will likely take about 2-3 ounces every 2-4 hours. Newborns should not go more than about 4 hours without feeding.
Mothers may want to try nursing 10-15 minutes on each breast, then vary the time as necessary.
Call your baby's doctor if you need to awaken your newborn frequently or continually urge your baby to suck.
Most experts suggest you nurse or feed your baby whenever he or she seems hungry. Signs that babies are hungry include:
· moving their heads from side to side
· opening their mouths
· sticking out their tongues
· placing their hands and fists to their mouths
· puckering their lips as if to suck
· nuzzling again their mothers' breasts
· showing the rooting reflex (when a baby moves its mouth in the direction of something that's
stroking or touching its cheek)
A rigid feeding schedule is not necessary; you and your baby will eventually establish your unique feeding pattern. Babies know (and will let their parents know) when they're hungry and when they've had enough. Watch for signs that your baby is full (slow, uninterested sucking; turning away from the breast or bottle) and stop the feeding once these signs appear.
As babies gain weight, they begin to eat more at each feeding and go longer between feedings. There may be other times when your infant seems hungrier than usual. Continue to nurse or feed on demand. Nursing mothers need not worry — Breastfeeding stimulates milk production and your supply of breast milk will automatically adjust to your baby's demand for it.
New mothers, especially breastfeeding moms, are often concerned that their infants may not be getting enough to eat. It's important for breastfed infants to be seen by their pediatrician 48 to 72 hours after a mother and newborn leave the hospital. During this visit, the baby will be weighed and examined, and the mother's breastfeeding technique can be evaluated. It's also an opportunity for nursing mothers to ask questions.
If a breastfed baby is doing well, the doctor will probably schedule another visit for around 2 weeks of age. Formula-fed babies are usually checked between 2 and 4 weeks of age, unless parents have specific concerns.
You can be assured that your baby is getting enough to eat if he or she seems satisfied, produces about six to eight wet diapers a day, has regular bowel movements, sleeps well, is alert when awake, and is gaining weight. A baby who is fussing, crying, seems hungry, and does not appear satisfied after feeding may not be getting enough to eat. If you're concerned that your baby isn't getting enough to eat, call your doctor.
Many infants "spit up" a small amount after eating or during burping, but a baby should not vomit after feeding. This can be due to overfeeding, but vomiting after every feeding may be a sign of an allergy, digestive problem, or other problem that needs medical attention. If you have concerns that your baby is spitting up too much, call your doctor.
Although your baby will probably start on some solid foods between 4 and 6 months, breast milk or formula will remain the most important source of nutrition through the first year of life.
Commercially prepared infant formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk. Bottle feeding can offer more freedom and flexibility for the mother, and it makes it easier to know how much the baby is getting.
Because babies digest formula more slowly than breast milk, a baby who is getting formula may need fewer feedings than one who breastfeeds.
If you feel your baby's appetite is not good, monitor his weight, if he is gradually putting on weight do not worry. Also monitor his activities, as long as he is achieving the milestones matching to his age, you do not need to worry.
After the 4th month, you can introduce your baby slowly to solid foods. monitoring whether he is able to digest the same.
Introduce one food at a time, if he/she is able to take it then continue for a week, then the following week introduce him to the next thing.
****A baby's tummy is the size of his fist - remember this as you are feeding him; it doesn't take much food to make a "meal"!****
DISCLAIMER : "HOME REMEDIES ARE JUST SUPPLEMENTARY
APPROACHES. ALWAYS SEEK A QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN'S ADVICE FOR ANY ILLNESSES."
