|
"He
Can't Be Hungry. He Just Ate!"
by Diane
Wiessinger, IBCLC
How many times
did you eat or drink something today? Coffee break? Water fountain? Gum?
Snack? TV nibblies? Most adults have an urge to eat about every 90 minutes
while they're awake!
Why do you eat
or drink? Hunger? Thirst? Comfort? For social reasons? Just because?
Are you trying to gain weight?
If you had to double your weight in 6 months, how would you do it? Would
you drink water? Chew sugarless gum between meals? Eat large meals at long
intervals? Or would you do lots and lots of snacking, day and night?
When it comes to food, babies are people, too.
They're people plus, because they are trying to double their
weight in about half a year, with a stomach that starts out no bigger than a
golf ball. Of course they eat and eat and eat, especially in the
early weeks. If your newborn is gaining about half a pound a week, he's
doing well. If not, a breastfeeding specialist can help you find ways to
help him nurse more effectively. Remember, if milk doesn't go in often,
pounds can't go on fast. Here are some basics:
Pacifiers are sugarless gum for babies
- an imitation of what a baby really needs. You already have two of the
real thing!
Think nursing first
whenever your baby seems unsettled - even if he just ate. He can always say
no. If someone always analyzed our reasons before allowing us food,
we'd go crazy! We don't want to have to demand our food, and neither
do our babies. What would you think of a hostess who withheld the cheese
dip, saying, "You can't be hungry; you just ate"? Why withhold food from a
fast-growing baby? Nursing freely and frequently is actually easier than
taking time out for big meals at long intervals. Your breasts won't feel
uncomfortably full, and his stomach will probably be happier, too.
Let your baby finish the first breast first
rather than shifting him automatically after a set time. Each breast
provides a changing "soup to dessert" menu. Would you like to have more
soup put in front of you just when you were settling in with dessert? If
Side 1 wasn't enough, he can go on to Side 2, and maybe even back again. If
Side 1 was all he wanted, fine.
Let your baby, not the clock, tell you when he's full.
Imagine a dinner at which the maξtre d' bustles over and tells you your time
is up!
Nighttime is especially valuable nursing time.
Don't be too eager for your baby to sleep through the night. Keep him
conveniently close at night - in your bed if you like - and know that you're
helping him grow those brains and bones.
If
your baby seems to nurse constantly and isn't gaining well,
get help from someone who understands breastfeeding. A few simple changes
are usually all it takes to get back on track. And when all is well again,
you can forget about "feeding", and just enjoy nursing. Let your baby lead
the way, and the pounds will take care of themselves.
©2001 Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC 136 Ellis
Hollow Creek Rd Ithaca, NY 14850
www.wiessinger.baka.com
with gratitude to Linda Smith, FACCE, IBCLC,
parts of whose "Eating Patterns Game" are incorporated here
Back to Consultant's Corner |
