Being a Mum the second time around (Part 2)
Daniel is asleep in the pram after our walk home this afternoon, so I’m taking the opportunity to write a few posts today.
The other thing I noticed today was about timing feedings. Over the years there have been different points of view on how often babies should be fed (regardless of whether they are breast or bottle fed - that’s a whole other issue). The two that I hear most often are 4 hourly feedings or “on demand”. (I wonder who decided that 4 hours was an appropriate period of time between feeds - do adults have such regimented eating schedules?)
Anyway, today one of the babies in the group was quite unhappy and not settling, and the maternal child health nurse suggested that the mum feed the baby again (even though the baby had only recently fed from one side). It worked - the baby latched on quickly and fed and became contented again (for a while at least).
I understand that there need to be educational guidelines for new mums (and dads), but I really wish that was more encouragement for new mothers to trust their own instincts when it comes to their babies. And this encouragement needs to span all areas associated with child rearing.
The beauty of a baby is that they wont eat if they’re not hungry (unlike adults that will eat for a variety of reasons not associated with physiological hunger). Even if the baby does latch on to the breast, if it’s just for comfort then they will suck a little and then detach because they got what they needed - closeness to their mother. Timing feeding also seems a little strange - when babies are brand new, they haven’t quite got the hang of feeding yet and they need time to strengthen those little jaw muscles, so feeding takes longer than it does in later months. Why “clock watch” and feel that you have to detach them after some arbitrary period of time to change to the other side? The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a great book called “Breastfeeding Naturally” - well worth the read to fill your with confidence about listening to your instincts when it comes to feeding your baby.
Personally, I think I can give myself a pat on the back because Daniel is growing beautifully (7.22kg & 65cm long at his 3 month health check today). And all I’ve been doing is watching for his cues & feeding on demand for however long he feels he needs to feed for. It’s quite simple really - at least it is right now, and as he changes, then I will do my best to change to meet his needs.
Helena 
