Breastfeeding is known to be the best source of nutrition to help decrease the risk of the infant developing undesirable health conditions. Undesirable conditions may be: allergies, eczema, asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, severe lower respiratory disease, acute otitis media (ear infections), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and/or gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). In addition, breastfeeding provides benefits such as taste bud development leading to an increased success when the baby starts to explore foods this world has to offer (Darby, n.d.). The mother's breast milk reflects the mother’s diet and will likely make the child more accepting of flavors of table foods (formula feeding can affect the child’s willingness to try table foods) (Toomey et al., 2017). It is important to be able to identify an infant's hunger cues as it is their way of saying "I want food/breastmilk!" A responsive mother leads to positive feeding experiences (Satter, 2000). One good tip, when to wean off of breastmilk to introduce solids; the answer ranges but when the child’s first tooth breaks through the gums! When a tooth appears, that is the body saying I am ready to explore foods!
Some mothers have also brought up the concern of not having enough breastmilk. The breastmilk production will reflect on how much the mother eats (Satter, 2000). It is important that the mother listens to her internal cues on when her body is signaling hunger, breastmilk production should not be an issue. The only reason a mother would not listen to her internal cues is if she is overtired, nervous, or sick where one's appetite is suppressed (it is still important to eat for breastmilk production!). The first few months is the only time in feeding therapy when the therapist will ask not to have a feeding schedule, as breastmilk supply and demand are important for the infant's growth. Therefore, it is important that the mother's maternity leave is long enough (six weeks or more) in order to get a well-established breastmilk supply (Satter, 2000). However, if six weeks is not achievable, a lactation specialist can provide tips on milk production depending on your specific limitations.
What Breastfeeding Looks Like, Symptoms of Ineffective Breastfeeding, & Solutions:
YouTube Video (Fauquier ENT, 2014)
How to identify hunger cues in an infant:
Early cues: stirring, mouth opening, turning head seeking/rooting
Mid cues: stretching, increasing physical movement, hand to mouth
Late cues: crying, agitated body movements, color turning red, must calm down before attempting to eat
What successful breastfeeding looks like:
It does not hurt! This means your baby has the proper nipple latch.
You are often nursing. In the 24 hours of the day, feeds typically range from 8-12 times a day!
You can hear your baby swallowing. This means he/she is intaking your milk!
Your baby's weight is increasing slowly
Your baby's mouth fits around the breast, not just the nipple
The feeding time averages 20-30 minutes and decreases as the baby get older
Your baby is urinating often, such as 6-8 times or more throughout the day
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 4). About breastfeeding. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/about-
breastfeeding/index.html
Darby, J. (n.d.). Picky Eaters - Summit professional education. Summit Education.
https://summit-education.com/online-course/2309428
Fauquier ENT. (2014, August 14). Breastfeeding problems[Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZae0tz8RPE
Fraker, C., Fishbein, M., Cox, S., Walbert, L. (2007, November 2). Food chaining: The proven
6-step plan to stop picky eating, solve feeding problems, and expand your child’s diet.
Hachette Books.
Sanghui, N. S. (n.d.). Sensory, cognitive, and motor planning interventions to support
successful mealtime. Summit Education. https://summit-education.com/online-course
/2309430
Satter, E. (2000). Child of mine: Feeding with love and good sense. Bull Publishing Company.
Toomey, K. A., Ross, E. S., Kortsha, B. C., Beckerman, L., Fitzpatrick, K., & Lagerborg, D.
(2017, November). When Children Won’t Eat: Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders.
Assessment and Treatment Using The SOS Approach to Feeding.
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