Priority of a newborn - COMFORT FIRST then feed.

by Delia Muhammad
(London UK)

It is quite annoying to hear how so many mothers struggle everyday with feeding their baby in at least the first month of birth. Over the many years I have supported mothers I realized that babies want COMFORT FIRST. When they are comforted they are calm and relaxed, so is mum. It builds her confidence. I tell mothers to 'read' their babies. Read by watching how baby responds to you. Watch body language, facial expressions and listening to cries. I tell them NOT to focus on Breastfeeding. Why do I tell them that? Breastfeeding is about questioning mothers ability to know if baby is being fed well.

You know the questions -
- is he latched on properly?
-is she getting enough?
- am I producing enough?

By COMFORTING you get to create a relationship with your little one. Your mind is at ease and your produce more prolactin in this state. You get to KNOW your little one. Those quirky sounds you hear will mean something to YOU. It's a relationship that is being formed. Baby wants what was inside -outside A RELATIONSHIP

1. Where has baby been for his/her developing months? In the warmth of 37 degrees and soft organs -COMFORT.
2. When baby is out it is in an alien environment. The temperature has changed, there is light and noises are much clearer. Baby looks for COMFORT.
3. Baby can smell, taste and touch mum- FOR COMFORT
All the COMFORT INSIDE has to replicated OUTSIDE.
I always remind mother's of where baby was. What would they like?
Breastfeeding IS bonding. The baby does not know who is holding him/her. All they know is, 'you are my feeder'. Baby turns to anyone for a feed. The PRIORITY IS COMFORT.

For the mothers I have supported (not all fed straight away) most found what I said was true. It made sense and they found COMFORTING actually helped with their nights too.

Note from Liz:
Excellent article Delia, thank you so much for sharing.