Let's Breastfeed

Breast feed to keep your baby hydrated

Breast milk adapts and changes according to your baby’s needs and the environment you find yourself in. It often does so without you even noticing, until you find that your baby’s feeding patterns have changed or notice that your milk has suddenly become very watery when you express.

As we move into the summer months, I am frequently asked whether breastfed babies should be supplemented with water and how to manage breast feeds when babies seem to want to feed a lot more frequently. Here are a few pointers to consider.

• Breast milk is primarily made up of water with other components suspended in it. When your baby feels hungry, he will ask for milk and when he is thirsty, he will also ask for breast milk.
• You may find it helpful to keep a note of a three hourly rhythm when you offer him a big feed, maybe from both breasts if he will have it. If he asks for milk in between the three hourly feeds, consider this as a drink of water, rather than a full feed and offer him milk again when his next three hourly feed is due.
• If you do this and find that his poops turn spinach green, feed from one breast at a feed (let’s say the right breast at 7am). If baby needs another feed or drink before the next feed is due, offer him the same side you fed from (i.e. the right breast). When the next feed is due (let’s say at 10am), offer him the second side (left breast) and if he needs a drink before the next feed is due at 1pm, only offer baby the left side.

Ensure that you are maintaining your fluid intake so that you too are well hydrated. In doing this, you will be able to provide enough fluid rich milk to keep your baby hydrated, so that you can both enjoy the summer.

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