“Cah, Cah”…Evaluating for Transfer of Mother’s Milk

One of the best ways to evaluate an infant’s feeding at the breast is to observe for swallowing. During the first few minutes at breast (after your transitional milk has come in), your baby should exhibit a suck/swallow ratio of about one-to-two sucks per swallow. This means that you should see one or two jaw excursions (sucks) followed by a deep draw (chin drops and mouth pauses in an open position) then the sound of a swallow may be heard (a quick, gentle “cah” sound). Swallowing may also be felt by resting a finger gently on baby’s throat while he is feeding. Remember, a good attachment to the breast is important. There should be a wide gape of baby’s mouth around your breast. His lips should be flanged outward with a good seal between your breast tissue and his lips. No air spaces should be seen and milk should not run out from the corners of his mouth. So listen and count those “cah’s.” They eventually turn into coo’s! Relax and enjoy your baby’s feeding!

Tick, Toc, Tick, Toc: Must we always watch the clock?

We talk about how human infants should feed every two to three hours in the early weeks and months, and certainly that is true. However, once effective breastfeeding is well-established and baby is gaining weight nicely without intervention, it may be time to kick back and relax. What’s wrong with letting baby dictate how often he wants to eat as long as he is thriving? A baby who begins to get hungry will exhibit early hunger “cues.” Examples of early hunger cues include upper body movement, hand-to-mouth behaviors, rapid eye movement during sleep, etc. Late signs of hunger include fussing and crying. So, sit back, put your feet up and let your baby do the talking. Tick, Toc, Tick, Toc…perhaps we shouldn’t watch the clock!

The Value of Skin-to-Skin Contact

Did you know that placing your baby skin-to-skin on your chest, especially while you are resting, is more than just a sweet snuggle time? Skin-to-skin positioning (also known as kangaroo care) not only facilitates milk production and the release of the maternal hormone oxytocin (the mothering hormone), but also has an effect on your baby’s physiology. Holding your baby skin-to-skin (no fabric between you) actually regulates his body temperature, respirations and heart rate. Research in this area is absolutely fascinating! For example, a mother’s breast temperature actually rises in order to warm and lowers in order to cool her baby when he has direct skin-to-skin contact with his mother. His breathing becomes relaxed, and his heart rate becomes regular. Talk about a mother’s ability to provide for her baby! Here’s another fascinating example: in two separate case studies, pre-term twins were placed simultaneously skin-to-skin with their mother, each against one of her breasts. Remarkably, each breast (in all four cases) responded individually to the thermal needs of the infant on that particular breast by raising and lowering its temperature independently of the other. So, let’s not underestimate the power of our breasts. Food, warmth and security… all in a soft, beautiful package! What more could our babies want?