Establishing a routine
In the first few weeks of breastfeeding you will wish your baby had a routine. However your child is changing and learning how to live and you will find that a routine is already forming. There is value in routines as they help the baby to know what will happen next, providin a feeling of safety and security.
In the early days you’ll be the one driving the breastfeeding sessions as your new baby has not had time to adjust their internal clock (Think about the worst case of jet lag you have ever experienced). You’ll find that after about two to three weeks your baby will start on-demand feeings, asking to be fed without your prompting.
Generally your day will fall into this cycle:
- You watch your baby for hunger cues
- You gather your child and move to your nursing location
- You draw your baby to your breast
- You help your baby latch and begin feeding
- Your baby nurses and you drink
- You and your baby feel sleepy
- You and/or your baby take a nap.
During the time you are breastfeeding you may find other additions to the routine. many mothers have noticed that their baby has a bowel movement half way through the breastfeeding session and that changing the diaper corresponds to offering your baby the other breast.
