Modern research argues that night feeding does not have a negative impact on the health of babies. On the contrary, they are very useful, and not only for babies ...
Small tummies do not get tired of night feeding! This is explained by the special composition of breast milk. It contains lipase, an enzyme that helps break down the fats of breast milk, making it easier for the children's gastrointestinal tract.
Babies, who are breastfed at night, are well on weight. Night attachment to the chest allows you to quickly calm down and fall asleep.
Moms who feed their babies at night have an excellent opportunity to form and maintain an emotional connection with the child, to strengthen maternal attachment.
Night feeds stimulate the production of new milk, support the formation of the total amount of milk at the same level. But the lack of night feeding can greatly reduce lactation. Therefore, my mother's breast should not be allowed to rest either day or night during the whole period of breastfeeding.
It's easy to explain. As we know, the production of milk depends on the hormone prolactin. If it is in the body a lot, then there will be a lot of milk to be prepared. Prolactin "loves" to stand out in large numbers as soon as the baby begins to suckle, while Prolactin's favorite time is night, so if the mother feeds the baby at night, thankful prolactin is released in large quantities, producing more milk in the afternoon. breast at night is important if you use the method of lactational amenorrhea (LAM) as the main means of preventing a new pregnancy, because prolactin suppresses ovulation, preventing mother from getting pregnant again .But remember, this method will be Botha, if: the baby of six months, you have nocturnal feeding (at least three per night) if you often feed crumbs breastfeed during the day and if you have not yet attacked, never after childbirth "critical days".
How to feed?
There are several options for organizing a night's sleep. Putting them on a priority, I'll tell you briefly about each. This is an option when mom and baby are sleeping in the same bed. It is convenient that the mother does not have to get up in the middle of the night, take the crumb from the crib into her arms, sit feeding, and then shift the baby back into the crib. Mom very quickly understands, when the baby needs to apply to the chest, she feels his stirring, sipping and groaning.
This option is suitable for parents whose bed can not accommodate another member of the family (or for some other reason). You will need a cot, but the daddy will have to unscrew one wall from it, and also level the level of the crib with the level of the parent's bed. Put it to your back - ready! The kid will sleep in his place, and my mother - next to her. After catching the stirring of the baby in a dream, the mother moves closer to the child's bed (or even moves the upper part of the torso to the space of the baby crib) and feeds the baby. At the same time you can continue to doze off. Usually, after a while, mom wakes up and if the baby has already let go of the chest - moves back to her sleeping area.
It is very important that in such a dream the child's bed should be as close to her mother as possible so that she can hear the crumb before he begins to cry. Also I want to note that until the age of 3 the child should not be taught to sleep in a separate room (even if the grandmother, nanny or you use the baby monitor is sleeping), while this is too heavy for the baby's psyche. Let him be there.
Special cases
In a situation where the nursing mother has an excess of milk, the so-called hyperlactation (the baby adds 1.5-2 kilograms a month, sucks not for long, as she quickly becomes saturated, can choke with milk while sucking, etc.), she can notice that the baby does not actively wake up for night feeding. Some babies can even skip them, making a break for 5-6 hours a night. In this case, you should watch the baby, if with such feeding the baby continues to add weight well, then you do not have to worry about it, let the child sleep longer. In your body, apparently, and so enough prolactin. But if, however, you notice that milk is getting smaller, you should awaken the baby at night. If the crumb sprinkles feeding, set the alarm.
During the eruption of the tooth , it often happens that night feeds become more frequent, and there are more than four. This is explained by the fact that the baby experiences discomfort, soreness in the gums. They can itch and very disturb the crumbs. During the day he can be distracted: scratching the gums about teethers, toys, and that's why everything passes easier, and at night the kid is saved due to the increased application to the breast.
After all, it is the mother's breast that is easiest to survive any troubles, the chest is an analgesic and soothing means. Therefore, I ask you, dear mothers, take this into account and do not worry that the baby decided to settle at his breast forever.
Time flies incredibly fast, and very soon you will even miss this wonderful time.