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You
can feed your baby whenever she cries, irrespective of the time of the day. This
natural feeding method is known as demand feeding. Initially, your baby may not
feed at regular intervals. Please don't panic, as this is quite natural. The important
thing is that the baby be allowed to suck at the breast without restriction; she
should be able to feed whenever she wants and for as long as she wants. In
the beginning, the interval between two feeds can be approximately 2 ½
to 3 hours as she can consume only small portions. By the end of the second month,
the feeding patterns established in the early days can change suddenly and inexplicably.
As the days pass, your little one will begin to establish her own routine and
will become 'self-scheduling'. She will soon create her own pattern of feeding.
As her appetite increases, the feeds will get longer and gradually the gap between
feeds will also increase. Try
not to fix any rigid timing or follow a regimental, artificially systematized
timing to feed your baby as there is no place for clock watching here. It
is important to feed your baby from both the breasts. Your baby, if left to her
own resources, will never want to leave the security of your arms and will enjoy
being stuck to your bosom indefinitely. Most pediatrician recommend that once
your baby has adjusted to breast feeding, she should be fed for 20 minutes at
each breast, as this will also be more comfortable for you. If you are constantly
feeding from one breast, the other one will remain heavy. Burp
your 'precious', once half way through the feed and then again after the feed
is over. This helps release any wind that has been swallowed by baby during feeding
or crying. However, if your baby falls asleep while feeding, do not disturb her
slumber. Put her on her side and not on her stomach or back and gently pat her
back to allow the wind to escape. Some milk may also run out of your baby's mouth
with this burp. This is normal and there is no need to worry about it, unless
the baby looks uncomfortable. Wipe it off with a clean napkin and continue feeding,
if you are half way through the feed. Sometimes
babies burp on their own during the feed and this is also a sign that baby has
had her fill. It is not necessary to burp the baby again, in such a situation.
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