Q&A breastfeeding

My newborn is two weeks old. He generally drinks well, but not yesterday. He latches and drinks for a while but then suddenly starts to cry and then unlatches and stops drinking. Why is he doing this, and what can I do to help him drink comfortably?

LINDA BRITZ ANSWERS:

Congratulations! Becoming a new mother requires getting to know each other and learning your newborn’s needs and patterns, so that he feels content and you feel confident. The first few weeks are a huge adjustment, as your filling of milk in your breasts settles to your baby’s demand, and he develops a feeding pattern. He will only establish a routine after six weeks of age. So be patient, and give yourself time to adjust well to a new normal.

There are a number of reasons that babies may fuss at feed times. He may be napping at the breast and using you as a soother and snacking, rather than feeding well and feeling full. He may have a wind and need to be burped. He may have a tummy cramp and want to pass a stool. He may need a cuddle.

Babies often muddle their days and nights and can be extremely sleepy and stretch long periods during the day time if you allow them, and be fussy and alert at night.

Make sure he’s awake for each feed time. Wake him regularly through the day, every three to four hours, timed from the start of each feed, or more often if he wakes and indicates, by rooting, that he wants to feed. If he is back to his birth weight, then leave him to wake you at night.

Feeding him skin-to-skin allows him to stay awake but warm against you. Latch him deeply, so that your milk flows easily. He will take short breaks, but don’t allow him to nap and go to sleep. A gentle squeeze and breast compression as he feeds will encourage him to continue suckling. Talk to him and call him by his name to keep him responsive.

If he is sleepy, then take him off. Burp him to break wind, and wake him. Swop and offer your other breast, but he must actively drink and swallow. If he is still unsettled, check his nappy, change and dress him. Offer your breast again until he is comfortable. Good effective feeding sessions at the breast will ensure he drinks adequately and does well. Give him a cuddle on your chest to settle him, until he is ready to sleep. Your breasts should feel fuller before a feed and soften during the feeding time.