Baby Breast Feeding Tips in 2023!

Breast Feeding provides our children with all the nutrients necessary for proper growth and development.

 maintaining exclusive breast feeding at least and if the mother can, the first six months of the baby’s life. Breastfeeding both day and night and on demand, this means that we must offer the chest to our children whenever they are hungry.

As children get older, some specialists suggest that we limit breastfeeding at night and lengthen feedings a little longer, since breastfeeding at night can be more tiring once we get back to work.

The options available when feeding our babies are: a bottle with powdered milk, a bottle with breast milk extraction or directly from the mother’s chest.

Why is breast feeding important?

Breastfeeding is one of the most appropriate and natural ways to provide our children with nutritional, immunological and emotional contributions to the baby, since it provides all the nutrients and antibodies that will keep it healthy, without forgetting that it will allow us to create a very emotional bond. strong with mothers.

It is much easier to digest and absorb than powdered formulas, it is tamper-free and contamination-free, and it is always available to the child at any time and at the right temperature. In addition, it also protects the mother’s health, contributes to the home economy.

How long is breastfeeding recommended?

Experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby’s life and then maintaining it until the age of two, complemented by a healthy diet. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months means giving the baby only breast milk with no other liquids or solids, not even water.

In addition, breastfeeding must be on demand, which consists of breastfeeding the baby whenever it is hungry and therefore it must be both during the day and at night. It is true that talking about “on demand” causes many parents certain concerns, doubts and can even lead to anguish, especially when it comes to breastfeeding at night.

The challenges of breastfeeding at night

A nursing baby is also hungry at night, however, for exclusive breastfeeding to be successful it is essential that feedings are not restricted to a schedule; The feeding of the little one should be breastfeeding on demand day and night.

The World Health Organization and other associations agree that breast milk intakes should have the frequency and duration determined by the child during the day and at night. However, in general, night feedings are more difficult for mothers, since they interrupt and compromise their rest. In the first months the baby can feed between one and five times during the night, something that can be exhausting for mothers.

How long do night breast feedings last?

When a baby is newborn, milk feedings can last approximately 20 minutes each. Later, as the little one grows and matures, a shot can take up to five or 10 minutes. It must be taken into account that this can vary and depend on different factors, both maternal and child.

Not all women have the same milk flow, this refers to the time from when the baby begins to suck until the milk comes out of the nipple. The flow can also be different, as well as the sucking speed of the baby. Some children take their time before starting to eat as such. Just like the degree of vigilance of the little one when drinking milk can alter the duration.

Benefits of breastfeeding at night

Despite the discomfort, specialists insist on the importance of breastfeeding at night, especially since this practice increases the success of exclusive breastfeeding.

Among the many benefits, we can mention:

Increases milk production: During the night, prolactin levels, the hormone responsible for stimulating the production of breast milk, reach their highest peak. As a result, the mother will produce more milk at this time. Thus, the more the baby sucks, the greater the production of milk. If breastfeeding is suspended or reduced, production will be less and less. In addition, the accumulation can lead to problems such as obstructions, mastitis, etc.

Helps to fall asleep: Breast milk changes its composition throughout the day to adapt to the needs of the baby. Around dawn it reaches its maximum peak of tryptophan and melatonin, an amino acid and a hormone that is involved in falling asleep. In this way, the baby will be able to fall asleep faster after taking it and will rest better. Likewise, it contributes to the development of healthy sleep and wake rhythms.

Prevents hypoglycemia: Breastfeeding at night is a way to provide nutrients to the baby and avoid hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

Nutrients in night feedings: Night feedings represent a significant percentage of the daily intake of a baby from one to six months (up to 20%), so they are essential for optimal growth and development.

Day/night feeding: During its development in the womb, there is no day or night for the baby, it only sleeps and feeds. For this reason, breastfeeding on demand, both day and night, serves as a transition for those weeks that a schedule is acquiring and adapting. Progressively, these shots are spaced out and he sleeps more and more.

Reduces the risk of sudden death: Several studies have investigated the relationship between breast milk and the risk of sudden infant death. Some investigations report a decrease in the presentation of this risk.

Mother-Child effective bond: Maintains and improves the mother-child bond, providing security and emotional well-being for the baby and maternal satisfaction.