Читать книгу Sister Lilian’s Babycare Companion: Complimentary and traditional care - Lilian Paramor - Страница 10

Keep pacing yourself through this time and think about how much you have already learnt about your baby. It’s early days yet and you might wonder how you’ll ever cope, but you will. Be gentle on yourself and your little one and do only what is essential.

About Baby

•Baby will pass frequent stools now and for the next few weeks, some just a splatter, others copious. Normal breastfeeding stools are soft, mustard in colour and seem to contain seeds.

•Some baby girls pass a bit of blood from the vagina. This is a reaction to the hormones she has been exposed to while in the womb and will soon clear.

•Keep cleaning the navel and stump of the cord. It will soon fall off or hang by a thread only, which you can snip.

•Passing wind to the top and bottom often, accompanied by red-faced crying, balled fists and pulled-up legs might make you think Baby has colic. Most colic is simply an expression of a baby who needs to feed more frequently or is a reaction to Mom’s anxiety, tiredness and inexperience. The very best you can do is to take things slowly for the next few days; see few visitors; do not allow Baby to be handled by too many people, as this may unsettle him; and know that very soon you will understand his signals well.

•Breast babies often need to feed with a few ‘courses’ each time – starters, main meal, pudding and sometimes even an after-dinner mint! Do not think you have insufficient milk. Between ‘courses’ Baby might need to nap for ten or fifteen minutes, have a nappy change or simply lie in your arms until his tummy is ready for the next course.

Tips for Mom

•Have one close, non-judgemental woman friend or relative stand by you and also accept help and support from your partner.

•Take Rescue Emotion homeopathic tablets at least 3 times a day.

•If your nipples are tender or you are very fair-skinned, sun your nipples twice a day for five to ten minutes, taking care not to burn.

•If nipple pain increases rather than improves, or you still struggle to latch Baby, call in a lactation consultant. It will be well worth your while and change the rest of your breastfeeding experience to a very positive one.

•Rest assured that you will not suffocate your baby if she sleeps with you in your bed. Dress her less warmly as she will be exposed to your body heat. Resting together may be just what you both need to see you through the next few days.