The Length of Feeding |
There is no fixed rule, because the length of feeding varies from one baby to another. One baby might feel satisfied after ten minutes and another after twenty. The length of the feeding also varies depending on the time of the day and the age of the baby. It is longer in the first three or four days after birth and it becomes shorter as the feeding progresses.
A short breast-feeding session is not necessarily insufficient if the flow of milk is fast and sufficiently abundant. In addition, the flow of milk is greater during the first minutes of feeding and then it slows down. Only when the feeding becomes too long, is it necessary to consult your paediatrician for advice.
 It is advisable for the baby to suck on both breasts. You can begin the feeding on the breast to which the newly born baby had latched on to during the previous feeding. Leave the baby to suck for about 15 minutes. Then latch on the baby to the other breast. The feeding should not last more than 25 - 30 minutes, in order to avoid irritation to the nipple and that the baby might suck without obtaining milk.
Before and After Feeding
To avoid the appearance of irritation, or even of raghades, it is advisable to massage the breast for some minutes before the feeding. It is also advisable to wash the hands to prevent the appearance of an infection caused by a fungus – the Candida Albicans – known as “Candidosis”, which is present when the newborn child has small white spots in the oral cavity.
This infection can also be passed to the mother during the feeding and the nipples can become red and painful. Even though it is irritating, this is not a serious problem, and it can be easily cured by talking medicine prescribed by the doctor. The breast does not require special hygienic treatment or harsh products, because the secretions of the Montgomery glands ensure the necessary lubrication and protection.
It is important to always wash your hands well before beginning the feeding. Immediately before feeding, cleanse the breast with lukewarm water and sterile gauze or the practical tissues available on the market, which are specifically intended for breast cleansing during breast-feeding. Ensure they are made from natural products and do not require further rinsing. Also, check that they do not contain tensio-active substances, that can dry the skin, or perfumes, that can change the natural odour of the mother and disturb the baby. After the feeding, wash the breast with lukewarm water without soap, leaving it, whenever possible, to dry naturally in the air. In the case of milk loss, it is advisable to use only breathable nursing pads designed to ensure that the skin is always dry. It is also recommended to periodically spread some drops of your own milk on the nipples and the areola, especially in the case of raghades. Maternal milk has sterilising, moisturising and healing properties. Before latching on baby to the breast, make sure that its nose is free, and that the baby can breathe properly. If necessary, you may also make use of the specific physiological solutions.
When to Stop Breast-Feeding
No precise moment in which to stop breast-feeding exists. Breast-feeding can continue beyond the moment of weaning, integrating the maternal milk with a solid or semi-solid diet, necessary after the 6th month. Following this approach, as suggested by The World Health Organization, breast-feeding can continue also beyond the first year of the child’s life.
 Sometimes, it is the mother’s desire that motivates her to continue breast-feeding, since it is a moment of contact and affection with her child. It is advisable that the mother follows her intuition to understand when breast-feeding ceases to be a priority for the baby and when it is a good time to start a mutual independence.
It is possible to maintain a good relationship between parents and the child after the first year of age, also by developing different ways to relate, made up of small but important shared experiences. |
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