Page 119 - April Issue
P. 119
in focus: infant
18-month old children 9.5 times that parents feed newborns your baby to nurse as long as
every 8 hours. Presumably, “whenever they show signs she wants to. Whether you are
these mothers nurse newborns of hunger” (Work Group on breast or bottle feeding, use
at least as frequently as they do Breastfeeding 1997)—an this as a time to
their older children. But even average of 8-12 times a day. be close to your baby, and keep
these high-frequency feeders the feeds as quiet and unhurried
seem stingy when compared Whichever method of as possible.
hunter-gatherer moms. Hunter- feeding you and your partner
gatherer infants feed very choose, it is important to allow
frequently – between
2-4 times an hour (Konner Did You Know mother, baby & child April 2011
2006)!
Frequent feedings reduce the time it takes for a
Research woman’s milk to come in. In one study, moms
who breastfed newborns every two hours began
But today, few paediatricians lactating at least 24 hours earlier than did moms who
promote a regimented breastfed every four hours (Salariya et al 1978).
newborn feeding schedule.
The scientific evidence strongly Frequent breastfeeds increase a mother’s prolactin
suggests that newborns— levels, and high prolactin levels are needed to establish
defined as babies less than an adequate milk supply. In a U.S. study, breastfeeding
a month old—benefit when frequency of about 10 times a day (range: 7-13 times a
they are fed frequently and on day) was associated with sufficient milk (de Carvalo et
demand. This doesn’t mean al 1982).
that maternity ward workers
are justified in preventing Frequent feedings during the newborn period are
exhausted new mothers from associated with long-term breastfeeding success. Moms
getting sleep during the 24 who breastfeed frequently are more likely to continue
hours immediately following breastfeeding after the newborn phase (e.g., Salariya et
childbirth. Some people seem al 1978).
to think it’s acceptable to
awaken new mothers every 2-3 Colostrum, the milk produced during the first few
hours during the first 24 hours days postpartum, is lower in fat and calories than
postpartum. But I’m not aware is more mature milk. It is also produced in smaller
of any research demonstrating amounts. A higher-frequency newborn feeding schedule
that this practice is, on helps babies compensate for the lower caloric density
balance, beneficial. Among of their milk.
hunter-gatherers, the common
pattern is to leave mothers to More frequent feedings (8-12 times per 24 hours)
recuperate in the first 24 hours during the first weeks of life are associated with greater
after birth. If the baby needs overall milk intake (De Carvalho et al 1983) and greater
to be fed and the mother weight gain at 15 days (De Carvalho et al 1983) and six
is asleep, somebody else weeks (Casiday et al 2004) of age.
nurses the baby. In addition,
the National Academy of Newborns vary greatly in the amount of milk (or
Sciences advises new mothers formula) they consume during a single feed (e.g.,
nurse at least 8 times a day Pollitt et al 1978). As a result, some babies require
during the day to establish more frequent feedings to achieve the same daily
an adequate milk supply caloric intake. A demand-style newborn feeding
(Institute of Medicine, National schedule permits babies to adjust to their individual
Academy of Sciences 1991.) circumstances.
And the American Academy of
Pediatrics (APP) recommends Breastfeeding newborns don’t overeat. Between days
6-10 postpartum, mothers are capable of producing
an average of 1200 g of milk per day. But their babies
consume far less than this—about 500-700 g/day (Casey
et al., 1986; Saint et al., 1984).
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