CARING FOR YOUR BABY: NURSING THE BABY
Posted on March 11, 2009, under General health.
Your breasts require little care. Just before each feeding, wash your hands, and sponge the nipple (or nipples, if you are going to use both breasts) with some sterile cotton wool moistened in warm water that has been sterilized by boiling. If you have a tendency to leak milk before you nurse the baby, you may find it convenient to insert nursing pads inside your brassiere.
As a rule, babies are nursed on one breast at a feeding, alternating with each feeding. In this way the breast is emptied completely, which prevents the milk from diminishing. Your doctor may tell you to empty the breast by hand after your baby is finished in order to encourage the supply of milk. Some babies nurse rapidly and some slowly. The average is about 10 to 15 minutes, with 20 minutes considered the maximum time a baby should be left to nurse.
Once or twice during the nursing period, and when it is over, burp the baby by holding him over your shoulder so any air he has swallowed will be expelled. Another method of burping is to hold the baby in your lap, letting him lean forward slightly with your support, and rub or pat his back. Protect your clothing with a clean napkin.
The baby is weighed at least once a week. On an average, he will gain: seven ounces a week during the first three months; four ounces a week—less regularly—until he is six months old; then two ounces a week—still less regularly—until he is nine months old.
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