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Date: | Sat, 24 Jun 2000 23:17:27 -0500 |
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As one of those who give guidelines to moms in the hospital, allow
me to describe exactly what I tell the moms and therefore the
rationale for such advice.
"For the first few days we suggest a "demand plus"
approach to frequency. Feed your baby any time he/she
shows early hunger cues (which I have already described as
licking the lips. searching with the mouth or sucking on
fingers, thumb or fist or anyuthing else that comes close
enough to "check out"). In addition, if it has been 2-3
hours during the day and 4 hours or so at night, OFFER the
breast. Baby may not be interrested. If you've been
gently trying to rouse baby for around 5-10 minutes or so
and get little or no response, try again later. It is
very normal for newborns to be "zonked out" for several
hours after the first wide awake period. You will only be
here 24-48 hours and we'd like to get as many feedings as
possible in during that time so if there are any
challenges, we can work through them with you. It looks
like we've been ignoring the baby's needs when baby's flow
sheet says , for example, nursed at 0600 and then nothing
under feeding until 1700. If you offer the breast, but
it's a "no sale" let your nurse know so she can write
"attempted breast-baby sleepy" or whatever is
appropriate. Once baby has learned to nurse effectively
and your milk supply has kicked into high gear, just let
baby set the pace. You don't have to keep offering after
2-3 hours unless baby turns out to be one who wants to
sleep all day and feed all night. Most parents would
prefer it the other way around, so you might want to keep
offering frequently during the day in hopes you can
convince baby to switch. Sometimes this works, sometimes
it doesn't."
In other words, this is a guideline/suggestion and hopefully it
doesn't come across as "you MUST feed every 3 hours". Our nurses
are getting much better about being patient with baby's "zonked out"
phase and not getting themselves (and the moms) upset about it.
Winnie Mading RNC, IBCLC (working in a hospital where the LC's see
every mom for questions, anticipatory teaching and assistance if
needed and 80% of our 2200-2400 deliveries at least initiate
breastfeeding)
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