Breastfeeding: It’s not that easy. Breastfeeding is good for both mom and baby, but it takes a little time to learn. There is no need to feel guilty about your initial inexperience with breastfeeding. A breastfeeding trainer and a few tips can help you with most common questions about breastfeeding. ABC’s of Breastfeeding Tips Awareness: Feed your baby whenever he or she looks hungry. Watch for signs that indicate your baby is hungry, such as smacking sounds, little hands reaching for your mouth, turning to your arms, etc. Be patient: It usually takes 10-20 minutes for your baby to suckle on one breast. Comfort: Put your feet up and put a pillow under your arms and head for support. To relieve sore nipples, squeeze a little fresh milk out of a warm, wet cloth, apply it to the nipple and leave it exposed for a few minutes to dry naturally, or apply a small amount of special lanolin. The slight pain and tenderness at first is normal. The pain will gradually disappear after the mother has found a suitable breastfeeding position and the baby is comfortably snuggled in her arms. If the pain worsens or lasts longer, seek medical attention. Avoid nipple confusion Bottle feeding your baby too early may cause nipple confusion and your baby may forget how to suck on the nipple. This is not common, but can be completely and easily avoided. If you’re ready to give your baby a bottle or a rubber pacifier, it’s best to wait until he or she is 2-4 weeks old. Don’t wait too long, or your baby may not take to it very well. Frequency of nursing The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborns nurse every 2-3 hours. That’s 8-12 feedings every 24 hours. Each time you nurse, suckle on both sides of your baby’s breast. Alternating sucking on both sides will keep the mother from overworking. The baby’s sucking movements become slower or he turns his head away to indicate that he is full. After the first month, the frequency of breastfeeding can be reduced to 7-9 times a day. Should I wake my baby for breastfeeding? If your baby is less than a week old, he or she needs to be woken up. Newborns need to be fed about 8 times a day, no more than 4 hours apart. To wake your baby up, try removing the little blanket, changing a diaper, gently massaging it, or picking it up and holding it against your chest. Do you feed on both breasts? After a few weeks of nursing, you can let your baby empty one breast before switching to the other. Each time you breastfeed, your breasts produce two different types of milk: the milk that comes out at first is light in color and low in fat, as if to “quench” your baby’s thirst, and the milk that comes out later is thicker and higher in fat. Both are important for your baby. If you suck on one breast at a time, remember to switch to the other side next time. Is your baby eating enough? If your baby is gaining 1 pound per month, feeding every 2-3 hours, and consuming 6-8 wet diapers per day, then rest assured that your little one is eating enough. Some babies stop taking night feeds from the 2nd month and can even sleep through the night, which is really delightful. Baby suddenly eats more When you feel like you have to breastfeed every hour, your baby is at a growth spurt. Don’t worry, your mother’s body will produce more milk at this time and the “hungry ghost” state is temporary. The growth spurt usually occurs in the second week of life, and then again in the second, fourth and sixth months. It is comforting to know that most babies are ready to try hard foods by 4-6 months of age. Does the mother’s diet affect the baby? Food can affect breast milk, but not as badly as most new mothers think. As long as the diet is balanced and healthy, a mother can choose the foods she likes. Remember to stay away from foods that are too spicy and gas-producing, and keep an eye on your baby for any allergies, which usually appear at 4-6 weeks. The bond beyond breastfeeding Breastfeeding is just one of the bonds that connect you to your baby. The bond between you and your baby becomes stronger with every cuddle, every snuggle, every time you talk and sing to your baby, and every time you take a bath or play. If a mother plans to switch to expressing milk and bottle-feeding her baby after 2-4 weeks, then someone else can feed her baby too.