ABC Pro! – H

 Help!

If your baby is not producing the amount of wet and dirty nappies given in G – What Goes In Must Come Out  …

Ask for help. Everyone needs some help. Speak to your midwife/ health visitor/ paediatrician.  They will be able to give you specific advice and check your baby

• Are you feeding your baby whenever he wants a feed and letting him continue  feeding until he comes off the breast himself?
• Your baby will instinctively know how to increase your milk supply so try to follow his cues. This may mean lots of time spent feeding initially but will settle down. You may feed your baby when you feel the need to. Breastfeeding works best when it’s responsive.
• Don’t try to space the feeds or start a routine yet, this will happen gradually over the next few weeks as breastfeeding becomes established
• Follow the A B C of how to position and attach your baby correctly as only with a good attachment will your baby be able to drain the milk from your breast and more  milk will be made
• Watch for all the signs of your baby taking a good feed, as listed under  D –  Check He’s Well Attached
• See advice on increasing your milk supply. Hints & Tips – MAKING MORE MILK
• Talk to friends or relatives who have successfully breastfed their baby – they may have overcome the problems you’re having and be able to reassure you
• Healthy full term newborn babies have enough reserves to get them through a few days of learning to breastfeed
• Your baby will probably loose  some weight in the first few days after birth – this is normal

You should expect to feed your newborn baby 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.