You can feed your baby after 3 months. Breast-feeding. Video: Komarovsky about breastfeeding

This drink contains essential fatty acids, vitamins, antibodies and immunity factors; Besides, breast milk contains much less fat than cow's (or even goat's and sheep's).

Maternal care: merging mother and child

Breast-feeding is an integral part of “natural mothering”, which involves you becoming one with your baby from the very first hours after his birth and, ideally, remaining one throughout the entire first year of his life. This also includes skin-to-skin contact and constant wearing the child on herself, co-sleeping, massage, sincerity, respect and kindness in communicating with the baby, the use of body language... A mother has an amazing opportunity to create an exceptional and versatile relationship with her child. But above all, this is a great opportunity to help your child build self-confidence.

Breastfeeding in practice

Nature gave women the ability to breastfeed their children. Every woman has a sufficient amount of milk suitable for feeding a child. If she wants it, if she is given moral and physical support, if a favorable atmosphere is created for her, she may well succeed in this enterprise. If you can't or don't want to breastfeed, don't beat yourself up. There are many other ways to create a special bond between mother and baby.

Breastfeeding (at least initially) occurs “on demand.” This may be one of the hardest things a mother has to come to terms with: she has to adjust to the rhythm of her baby... who has no rhythm. The best thing to do is to give up all other worries and ask those around you to help you. Cleaning, shopping, even showering - all this should fade into the background and give way to the needs of your baby and the need to provide rest for yourself: this period is one of the most tiring, especially the formation of a feeding rhythm that coincides with sleepless nights the first weeks of a child's life.

Monitor your own fatigue and hormonal decline. If, during the first month after the birth of your baby, your body still contains hormones that cause optimism, which were produced during childbirth, then after a few weeks a hormonal decline occurs, and there is a risk of developing postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is very common. Its intensity and duration vary in each case, but this condition can be painful for you, especially because it occurs at a time when all your strength should be devoted to the child. So don't plan to return too soon public life and trust yourself: suddenly, two or three months after giving birth, when it seems to you that you have reached the extreme point of exhaustion, your baby will enter a certain rhythm, and life will immediately become much easier.

Natural Recipes

To overcome postpartum depression... In addition to classical therapy or sophrology, yoga or relaxation sessions, natural remedies will help you: cognitive behavioral therapy, brief psychotherapy, psychogenealogy, etc.

Supplements (which will also help you give your baby the best quality breast milk):

• probiotics that activate the synthesis of vitamin K in the small intestine;
• iron, which will also allow your body to recover after significant blood loss during childbirth;
• Omega-3 and Omega-B acids are predominantly of plant origin;
• calcium/vitamin D;
• magnesium and B vitamins (Bb, PP, B9);
• and also, depending on the time of year, vitamin C and/or, if necessary, immune system stimulants (royal jelly, antioxidants, grapefruit seed extract, etc.).

Homeopathy

• For significant fatigue associated with fluid loss (especially if you are breastfeeding): “Hina rubra 9 CH” and/or (for physical/mental fatigue) the compound preparation “Phosphoricum acidum”, best in granules: take 3 granules 3 -4 times a day.
• "Silicea 9 CH", a remineralizing drug that should be taken 1 dose per week.

Extend the intervals between doses and stop taking when you feel better.

Herbal medicine and aromatherapy

Use herbal preparations with a remineralizing effect, such as silicon-rich horsetail, white marigold, and/or immune system stimulants such as fresh pollen or royal jelly (depending on the preparation, 1-2 capsules 2-3 times a day). If this is not enough, also take herbal preparations that regulate mood: passionflower, valerian, preferably in liquid form (anxiolytic drugs), or griffonia, saffron (plants that have antidepressant and stimulating effects) in capsules.

Required accessories

• Several feeding bottles. Give preference to bras made of natural cotton; The cup size should be larger than the one you wore at the end of pregnancy. If you are choosing between two sizes, buy the larger one.
• A breastfeeding pillow (or a support pillow that you may have already used during pregnancy to relieve back pain). This is an important item that will help you get your baby comfortable while feeding or keep him in bed so he doesn't roll off the bed if he's sleeping with you.
• Soft pads, which you will replace after two weeks with nursing pads (it is better to choose washable cotton ones rather than disposable ones).
• Several boxes paper napkins: It is convenient to place folded napkins in the lower part of the bra cup: they absorb excess milk well.
• Breast pump and milk bottles.
• Solution "Casgor equi 4 CH": apply a few drops of this product to the nipples after each feeding. This homeopathic remedy has a disinfectant and healing effect, it will reliably relieve you of cracked and dry nipples. If small cracks nevertheless appear on the nipples, use Lansino cream or 4% Castor Equi ointment: apply after treating the nipples with the solution; both cream and ointment do not need to be washed off before the next feeding.
• Organic hand soap: wash your hands as often as possible - before feeding, after you return from the street; In addition, ask guests who want to hold the baby to wash their hands first. You shouldn't worry too much about germs, but still remember to always carry wet disinfectant wipes with you.

Where to begin?

First two hours

After the birth, in the rest room, when the baby is already washed and dressed, offer him the breast, the midwife will help you. In this moment we're talking about about stimulating the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and triggering the production of prolactin, which has already been activated by the distribution of oxytocin in the body: the flow of milk depends on prolactin. Your baby will help you: already in the first two hours of his life, the archaic instincts inherent in him make him look for your breast!

At this stage, simply encourage your baby to breastfeed. Various “failures” happen very often: the baby cannot grasp the nipple, you cannot find a comfortable position, etc. Don’t worry. This moment is the very first, amazing contact, your first experience together. You will have many more attempts, so no matter what happens, don't panic.

The first twelve or twenty-four hours

The baby sleeps a lot. This is a very important process, which in no case (if everything is in order) should be disrupted: the child “recovers.” He's hardly hungry yet: first of all, he's very tired, he's shaken up by the birth and the passage through the extremely narrow birth canal (remember: he didn't have the epidural that you may have had). It will be best if you caress him as best you can, take him in your arms and comfort him; Don’t think about how to immediately and completely adapt to breastfeeding. Just keep offering him your breasts, trying to find the most suitable and comfortable position for this.

Even if it's very difficult for you, hang in there. You can give your baby milk using a pipette (if there are no medical contraindications against this).

Ask medical personnel to provide you with all possible assistance. Once you return home, you can seek help from a lactation specialist.

In any case, in the first days your baby will lose up to 5-10% of its weight. This loss is not dangerous and is due to the fact that the baby receives colostrum for at least forty-eight hours during breastfeeding. Colostrum is a thick, low-fat liquid, rich in proteins and antibodies, its appearance precedes the appearance of milk; This is the only food that the baby can initially digest. In addition, colostrum helps remove meconium from the baby’s body. The baby's sucking movements stimulate the flow of real, fatty milk. Therefore, immediately after a short recovery, give the baby the breast as often as possible - as soon as he asks. This way you will also learn to distinguish between two types of feeding: feeding to satisfy hunger and feeding to soothe the baby. Both are of great importance.

What should you do within one feeding: should you give your baby one breast or both?

Opinions differ on this matter. At first, both breasts should be fed: this stimulates lactation and the formation of the milk ducts. In fact, when establishing a breastfeeding rhythm, the baby receives low-fat, sweetish milk at the beginning of feeding - it takes almost ten minutes for the milk to become full-fat. Therefore, give your baby the breast for twenty to thirty minutes or even longer, and then change breasts: stimulation of the first breast leads to the fact that the milk in the second breast will immediately be fatty.

While the baby weighs less than five kilograms, he must make significant efforts to pull on the nipple and receive milk. He often falls asleep during feeding - that's why feedings during this period seem endless. You can wake him up light touches and gentle words; change his diaper before breastfeeding.

Natural Recipes

Feeding reminder bracelet

To know which breast you gave your baby at the last feeding (you won’t always be able to remember this due to the fatigue of the first months), you can buy a bracelet (with an elastic band) made of semi-precious stones: after each feeding, put it on one or the other hand. At the same time, you yourself will feel the beneficial effects of the stones you choose: amethyst and rose quartz, for example, have a calming effect.

How to soften the flow of milk?

By the third day after giving birth or as soon as your breasts become slightly swollen, limit your fluid intake to three to four glasses per day (including juices and hot drinks) for two to three days. Over the next two days, gradually increase the amount of fluid consumed, bringing it to a significant level - at least two to three liters per day.

If your breasts are too tight or painful, take a very hot shower (without massage), then apply a little Osmogel cream or Z-trauma gel to your breasts (excluding the nipple area). In addition, during the first few days, until the milk comes in, you can, without fear of anything, take 2 tablets of the drug “B. 0. R." 3 times a day and 5 tablets of the drug “Extranase” in the morning and after lunch.

If redness and heat appear, consult your doctor: you may need to take antibiotics for a while according to regimens that fully take into account the needs of infants; in this case, during the period indicated by the doctor, you will have to express and pour out the milk from the infected breast.

First month: feeding on demand

At first, feed your baby exclusively at his request, without limiting the duration of feedings: day and night, give your baby the breast as soon as he asks or as soon as it seems to you that he is not asking. Put aside all other matters and devote yourself to the baby; Develop a plan in advance that involves helping you with everything for the first two to three months.

Make yourself comfortable

Before feeding, even if you have to leave your baby crying for a couple of minutes, take your time to prepare everything you need: breastfeeding infusion or red rooibos (which does not “absorb” iron from your body), cookies or almonds and dried or fresh fruit fruits...

Attention: at the beginning of feeding there is a feeling of thirst, which passes very quickly; don't ignore it, drink plenty of fluids.

Milk care

The decrease in milk quantity (which is called physiological) occurs in the period from the middle to the end of the first month and coincides with the “establishment” of regular prolactin production. Prolactin allows the baby in the evening to “order” for himself the amount of milk he needs for the next day.

During this period, in addition to the usual colic, which already frightens parents, the child often looks very hungry, sucks at the breast and cries a lot. Don't worry, this is normal.

What to do?

Again, do not panic, put the baby to the breast whenever he requires it. This will make this necessary transition easier; You may also be able to reduce the duration of your feedings. You can give your baby breast milk using a dropper (or a bottle, which you can already use during this period). Do not think that the baby is crying and screaming in pain. Rather, his tears are caused by a feeling of discomfort and anxiety. Unfortunately, this point often coincides with a decrease in progesterone levels, which leads to a drop in your morale. That is why during this period women often refuse breastfeeding: they are too exhausted and are sure that they will no longer have milk. In reality, you just need to gather your courage and wait out the storm!

Lack of rhythm and sleep breaks

There are many possible scenarios: some babies have great needs, they often demand the breast and suck for a long time... in addition, they often experience colic. Others, on the contrary, seem to have been born with a given rhythm: they eat once every three hours during the day, and at night they let their mother sleep for six to seven hours!

The very first period of a baby's life is exhausting: the baby seems to constantly suckle at the breast, not giving you the opportunity to take a break and get some rest.

What to do?

Sleep when baby sleeps. Eat a balanced diet and use nutritional supplements so as not to deplete the body's reserves, which were already depleted during pregnancy. If you have such an opportunity, take care of yourself: invite a massage therapist to your home - this practice gets everything greater distribution and really brings benefits (choose specialists who work with mother and child), or go to osteopathy sessions (at least once a month).

Does it seem to you that the child sleeps only in your arms, that he wakes up and cries as soon as you let him go?

Some children have great needs: they need to be taken care of, fed, cared for, caressed... There is no exact explanation for this phenomenon, but perhaps it is because they were born with an underdeveloped digestive tract, or that they are too sensitive to influence external environment. The best way to shorten this period as much as possible is to satisfy all their needs. At home, use the skin-to-skin method more often, carry your baby in a sling, sleep with him, and put off all other things for later.

On the contrary, do you feel like your baby is sleeping all the time and it bothers you?

Relax! This is a real gift... and every mother's dream. Your baby was clearly born confident in his own safety, and his digestive tract is fully formed. Enjoy and remember that long sleep- this is not a cause for concern.

Second and third months: feeding rhythm improves

The decrease in milk quantity, which was discussed above, does not last long, and in the same way all the difficulties of the first weeks pass quite quickly. At about 3 months, and/or when his weight reaches 5 kg, your baby will become accustomed to a more regular rhythm and you will be able to breathe freely.

If you have to return to work early or if you are too tired, at the beginning of the third month you can already wait at least three hours between feedings and also give your baby a bottle of formula from time to time.

In addition, starting from the second month, you can regularly express a bottle of milk - this should be done in the morning, after the first feeding, when the breasts are filled with milk: this way you can replace one of the night feedings with a bottle that the father will give the baby. In addition, this will ensure that you have the opportunity to leave your child under supervision from time to time during the day or create reserves for the future.

During this period, give your baby only your milk, without any additives - even if the baby weighs little or, as you think, is not gaining weight quickly enough. It is better to increase the number of feedings and supplement them with one or two bottles of mother's milk per day. If necessary, you can add vegetable milk, goat's or mare's milk to your milk: they are most suitable for digestive system baby.

Nature's Recipes

Haptotherapy is a way to develop perception in a baby. You can’t get your baby to suckle, you can’t persuade him to drink from a bottle, you can’t calm him down? Contact a haptotherapist! Haptonomy is a known means of communication with blanket during pregnancy and in preparation for childbirth; however, it is also used to establish respectful, calm and affectionate communication with the baby after birth.

“My baby sometimes vomits like a fountain after feeding: should I be concerned?”

When breastfeeding, babies always eat a little more than they need; due to this, the stomach “mechanically” increases in size. However, the baby can throw up milk with any wrong movement or if he has an overly sensitive vagus nerve. It produces great impression on the mother, but does not pose any danger. Wait a little, wash yourself and after a while offer the breast to the baby again.

Natural Recipes

For successful breastfeeding

To activate milk production: almonds, lentils, any products with the addition of anise (which also has an antispasmodic effect), brewer's yeast, non-alcoholic beer.

Homeopathy

“Lac Caninum 5 CH” and “Prolactinum 5 CH”: 3 granules of each drug before each feeding until the body begins to produce a sufficient amount of milk. It should be resumed whenever milk supply decreases.

Phytotherapy

Infusions for breastfeeding (we recommend the “Mother and Child” infusion from the company “The"s de Gaia”) based on lactogenic plants: green anise, fennel, cumin, coriander, caraway, basil leaves, dill, verbena or nettle, carrot seeds or fenugreek

Help with weight management

Have you been told that breastfeeding will make you lose weight quickly, but you are starving, eating too much and only gaining weight? Consultation with a herbalist or naturopath, as well as acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine will help you in the fight against excess weight. We also recommend several sessions with an osteopathic midwife who specializes in visceral osteopathy.

Combats excessive periods of hair loss, spasms, brittle nails and fatigue

A pregnant woman experiences virtually no hair loss due to the hormones present in her body during pregnancy. Therefore, after childbirth, due to a decrease in hormone levels, the usual “catch-up” occurs. However, such significant hair loss should not last more than a few weeks, otherwise it indicates an imbalance in the body.

• Homeopathy: “Silicea 9 CH” and “Calcarea carbonica 9 CH”, 1 dose per week and/or the compound preparation “Calcarea” in granules, 3 granules j morning and evening.
• Herbal medicine: baking with infusion of young buds of silicon-rich plants, such as horsetail, white marigold or fir.
• Nutritional supplements: Increase your daily dose of magnesium and natural B vitamins, especially vitamins B6 and B8 (biotin).

By this period, a woman already knows a lot about her baby: his habits, character, tolerance to a number of foods. Mom and baby now have favorite foods and food preferences. Mom worries less about her milk supply because she knows how to increase it.

The baby is less bothered by intestinal colic, which means the diet can be safely expanded. Let's talk about the list of foods that a nursing mother can eat after 3 months of the baby's life.

Features of feeding a baby at 3 months

• A nursing woman should take into account that the newborn's need for nutrients ah in terms of unit body weight is higher than that of an adult.
• During this period, a woman needs about 3500 kcal per day.
• With a volume of one feeding of 150 ml, the daily amount of breast milk approaches 850-900 ml with 6 feedings a day.
• The need for vitamins remains high at this age.

At three months it is permissible to expand your food intake. A woman need not worry about what she can and cannot eat. Almost everything is allowed; a period of lifting restrictions begins, unless the child suffers from food allergies.

The same principle remains as before: you need to eat tasty, familiar food. When a woman eats deliciously, she produces a lot of gastric juice and enzymes. The food is digested well and the milk is rich in nutrients.

Also good news: There are no diseases related to the nutrition of a nursing woman. The mother will not be able to seriously harm the child with her diet, unless she takes medications and does not abuse other drugs harmful to health (alcohol, smoking).

Monotonous food with limited protein and vitamins contributes to anemia and there is a threat of iodine deficiency. But this is a separate topic and such pathology does not appear without additional reasons.

The daily diet of a breastfeeding woman should contain:

• 100-130 grams of protein food,
• 100 g fat,
• 400-500 g carbohydrates,
• Food should be rich in mineral salts, especially calcium and phosphorus, as well as vitamins.

A diet consisting of:

• 180-200 grams of meat;
• 800 grams of vegetables and fruits;
• no more than 500 grams of bread;
• 50 grams of butter;
• one egg.

Particularly worth highlighting is the consumption of fruits and vegetables (800 grams). It's a lot! It is through these products that women do not get those vital substances (vitamins and microelements). If you are not able to handle such an impressive amount plant food, then you can cover your needs with juices from fruits and vegetables.

Be sure to include parsley, dill and other greens in your daily diet. You can make delicious homemade sauces from them; in this form there will be more vitamins.

At this stage, you can already use different bright fruits and vegetables:

• oranges,
• cherry, strawberry, raspberry,
• red apples,
• beet,
• pumpkin, carrots.

To improve appetite, spices will not hurt:

• thyme, tarragon,
• garlic, onion,
• basil.

It is useful to eat grain sprouts.

• drink up to 2 liters of liquid;
• in nutrition, focus on “live” food;
• do not clog your stomach with “dead” foods that will turn into overweight on the hips.

It is advisable to add products such as eggs, chocolate, citrus fruits one at a time. One day we ate, for example, something seafood, and for the next 3 days we look to see if peeling on the cheeks or rashes appear. If everything is fine, then you can introduce the next provocative product.

Your favorite coffee in the morning or tea with honey is not a limitation. Those with a sweet tooth can treat themselves to a piece of cake. Champignons and oyster mushrooms are not contraindicated for mushroom lovers.

Canned food, sausage from the supermarket, sausages are considered “dead” food. They contain many flavoring additives and preservatives. There is no meat in such products. The same applies to confectionery products and white bread. Due to the dye content, palm oil, cheap margarine is more harmful than beneficial.

Any fish - pollock, cod, flounder, mackerel, herring will be beneficial because they are rich in useful fatty acids. Particularly useful sea ​​fish: tuna, salmon, cod, sardines and anchovies. Don't forget about olive oil and olives.

Poultry meat - chicken, turkey can be eaten fried, boiled, smoked and baked. A quail eggs can be consumed together with the shell to replenish the body with calcium.

Fermented milk products will benefit the intestines. Especially with a high content of fermented milk bacteria (biokefir, yogurt, ayran). Using a special starter, you can prepare it yourself.

Porridges made from corn, rice, and buckwheat are preferable. They are more useful. Although for the sake of variety, everything is appropriate.

Who are there restrictions for?

There are some restrictions for children with allergies. Here you need to take into account products that have different allergenic potential.

TO products with high potential include:

• whole milk, eggs,
• seafood, caviar,
• carrots, tomatoes, red pepper,
• celery,
• Strawberry Raspberry,
• citrus,
• pineapple, kiwi, pomegranate, melon, persimmon, mango,
• chocolate,
• coffee, cocoa,
• mushrooms, nuts,
• wheat, rye.

• fermented milk,
• rabbit meat, horse meat, turkey, lamb,
• refined vegetable oil,
• millet, corn and pearl barley,
• white cabbage, cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli, cucumbers,
• green varieties of apples, pears, white and red currants, white and yellow cherries, yellow plums,
• parsley dill.

A three-month-old baby's own enzymes begin to work. The gastrointestinal tract reaches maturity. The liver starts working. Therefore, there are no special restrictions on food, only mothers with children with allergies will have to limit themselves a little.

Lyubov Maslikhova, therapist, website specially for the site

Useful video:

At about 3 months, the baby begins to change the nature and rhythm of breastfeeding. You can feed him properly only at bedtime or in a dream...

Three months is a very long time interesting age. The child has already grown significantly and gained weight, and this is clearly visible in his clothes. He begins to be more interested in the world around him and sleep less. Usually, by this age, the period of the notorious ones ends, and parents can breathe more calmly, and women, having become accustomed to the role of mother, finally begin to pay attention to themselves and the world. And this is where the fun begins.

The baby begins to change the nature and rhythm of breastfeeding. The baby either completely forgets to breastfeed for 2 hours, or only does so for 2-3 seconds. Basic feedings when the baby can calmly suckle the breast, occur only on day dreams, .

If mom doesn't know about this age characteristics and begins to bother with the breast more often, the baby begins to be indignant and behave restlessly under the breast.

It also happens that the baby is closer to 3 months gets used to falling asleep either with or just in his arms during motion sickness (sometimes sucking on your own fists instead of a pacifier). It may seem to the mother that this is more convenient and correct, and she does not offer it to the child. But in this case, breastfeeding a baby who does not suck properly while awake becomes truly challenging task. Due to lack of breast stimulation milk may decrease significantly. Therefore, if you notice such a trend, then it is better to make an effort and retrain your baby to fall asleep with the breast.

The other extreme is when the baby sleeps with the breast the entire sleep, without letting go of the mother for a single step. In this case, the situation needs to be analyzed individually to understand why this happens.

Mature lactation, hello!

By 3 months, if this has not happened earlier, it is finally established mature lactation with autocrine regulation process(i.e. no longer due to hormones, but in response to breast stimulation by the child). Autocrine regulation manifests itself in the fact that the breast ceases to be very full and between feedings can be completely soft and not full. That is lactation is tidal, and milk begins to actively flow immediately during attachment to the breast. This is perceived as a sudden tingling and swelling of the mammary gland, especially thin women.

However, in women with congenital hyperlactation or those who regularly pump their breasts, excess milk production may stop much later, sometimes only closer to a year or longer.

Subjectively, one may get the impression that in a soft chest there can't be too much milk, especially if you try to express your breasts between feedings. Women may begin to think that the baby has grown and he... There is a desire to supplement with formula or drink lactogenic tea, and sometimes to do both together. Naturally, these measures do not increase the volume of milk, and the mother, unnoticed by herself, can completely transfer the baby to artificial nutrition by the age of 4 months.

Breastfeeding litmus test

Three months is like a litmus test that shows how the relationship with the baby developed before. If there were any gross mistakes in organizing breastfeeding and child care, they will always manifest themselves in the child’s restless behavior and. It is at 3 months that abandonment of the mother's breast becomes the number one problem for many parents.

But, oddly enough, sometimes breast refusal can be provoked by overprotection on the part of a woman, when the mother constantly carries the child in her arms or in a sling and constantly offers the breast. Very often this happens to those mothers who were unable to breastfeed their older child, or in case of fanatical adherence to any methods for raising and caring for the child. The child is simply drowning in “mother’s love” and is trying to break free by any means necessary.

Therefore, try to alternate between carrying the baby in your arms and placing the baby near you. Exercise homework, giving the baby the opportunity to watch you - in my opinion, there is no point in carrying a baby in a sling or in your arms around the clock.

As for other educational aspects, at 3 months the mother can already start regularly take your child to the table with you, if she has not done this before. That's how we baby, or simply put, we accustom him to the look of a common family table.

In addition, if the baby has previously bathed in a small bath, which is more appropriate for a newborn, then from 3 months you can try go to a large bath, joint bathing with your child is especially welcome.

Also, from 3 months we begin to actively sit down by the arms for a couple of seconds on the changing table. This is important for the proper formation of hip joints and the prevention of dysplasia. Children usually signal this themselves by their reluctance to remain in a horizontal position while awake.

If you keep your baby without diapers and practice, then already at 3 months you should start making sure that the child didn't pee on you. “Mistakes” happen even among experienced parents, but if the baby starts peeing on you, you need to interrupt him and take him off your hands, thereby demonstrating disagreement with what he is doing...

As you can see, 3 months is a difficult time in your baby’s development, when he begins to change his behavior, little by little. It is important not to miss these changes and to be sensitive to your child's signals. Due to inexperience, many mothers are tempted to give up breastfeeding for one reason or another. Those who manage to “cross the Rubicon” are usually fed happily for up to a year or longer (provided that it is introduced no earlier than 6 months and in a volume that does not replace breastfeeding).

Successful GW to you!

Razakhatskaya Natalya
lactation consultant (Minsk, Belarus),
author of the website "Breastfeeding!"

By three months, the baby usually becomes calmer and more predictable. He is no longer bothered by colic, a semblance of a routine begins to emerge in the baby’s life, and the mother’s lactation becomes mature - milk is not produced spontaneously, but in response to sucking. It would seem that here it is, the opportunity to breathe deeply.

Alas. At this age, you will have to face new pitfalls that will not allow you to turn breastfeeding at 3 months into a complete pleasure. The most common of them are growth crisis, false breast refusal and lactation crisis. Let's look at each in more detail.

Growth crisis - what is it and how to survive it?

This factor has two sides: physiological and psychological. First, let's deal with physiology. At this age, babies experience a significant growth spurt, so if you previously fed him strictly on an hourly basis, a problem may arise - it will become difficult for the baby to withstand breaks. Some women try to get out of the situation by supplementing with water or supplementing with artificial formula. Often this ends with an involuntary transition to artificial feeding, although initially the mother did not plan anything like this.

In fact, the growth spurt of a child at 3 months during breastfeeding and the difficulties associated with it can be overcome simply: you just need to forget about the clock and feed the child on demand, including at night. Gradually, under the influence of frequent stimulation, the production of mother's milk will increase, the baby will be able to be better fed and will come to the optimal schedule for him and you.

Psychology is a little more complicated.

In this case, it does not matter whether you adhere to the breastfeeding regimen at 3 months or offer the breast to the baby on demand, you may encounter the so-called false refusal. It looks like this: the baby pushes the nipple out of its mouth almost immediately after the start of feeding, turns away or pushes the breast away with its arms, and can take one gland and flatly refuse the other. It seems that he is simply not hungry, although you know for sure that the child is last time I ate a few hours ago, which means I can’t be full.

With such actions, the baby, firstly, demonstrates his independence - after all, it is at 3 months that his first psychological signs personality, secondly, as if testing the mother’s reliability: will she refuse or abandon her?

When faced with a false refusal to breastfeed at 3 months, do not panic and run headlong for a bottle of formula. Moreover, it is not a fact that the baby will eat the mixture more readily. Remember that the energy reserves of any person, including a child, allow them to survive without food for quite a long time, let alone several hours or even 1-2 days. Act in two directions at the same time.

First: do not carry the child in your arms for days, let him be alone. At this age, he can easily entertain himself without your help, for example, lying in a crib or stroller. And it’s enough for mom to be within sight or audibility. Let the duration of such independent festivities not exceed 15-20 minutes to begin with; over time, their duration can be increased. And you will get a certain freedom and will be able to take care of yourself or household chores.

Second: if your child refuses breastfeeding at 3 months, try surprising him. Change your usual place and way of eating. If before this you fed your child while sitting in a chair, move over kitchen table. If you did this lying down, sit down or even stand up. This will allow your baby to be captivated by new impressions, and he won’t even notice how well he’ll eat in the meantime.

Mom has a breastfeeding crisis at 3 months: why does it happen?

This condition is also called a lactation crisis. It is directly related to the growth spurt, and one could not dwell on it if it were not for the panic of many mothers, especially those whose lactation crises at 3 weeks and 1.5 months passed unnoticed by them.

The fact is that the mammary gland needs time to adapt to the increasing demands of a growing child's body. But it often seems to the mother that it is not the child who has begun to eat more, but her production has decreased. Panic state “Milk is disappearing!” provokes stress, but it doesn’t best helper stable lactation.

The recommendations in this case are essentially the same as for a growth spurt: feed on demand, don’t be nervous, get enough sleep and eat well. But resorting to supplementary feeding at 3 months while breastfeeding is not recommended. Monitor the number of urinations: if there are more than 8 per day, there is no need to worry. And remember: after a few days, lactation will definitely return to normal.

Complementary feeding from 3 months while breastfeeding: is it necessary?

Only in the most extreme cases, for example, if due to certain circumstances the child cannot receive sufficient amounts of vitamins, macro- and microelements from mother’s milk. For example, when a woman is prescribed a strict diet with many restrictions for health reasons.

In this case, it is allowed to introduce applesauce and banana puree, very liquid and well-cooked cereals, some vegetable and fruit juices, prepared at home immediately before feeding, into complementary feeding for a breastfeeding child from 3 months. But we should not forget that from the point of view of benefits, nutritional value and digestibility, not a single delicacy can compare with mother’s milk. Especially at an age at which the baby’s digestive system is not yet physiologically ready to accept this delicacy. Therefore, you can feed a three-month-old baby with non-dairy products only after consultation with a pediatrician!

How to eat for mom: menu for breastfeeding at 3 months

By this time, a woman nursing a baby has already developed a fairly varied diet, which includes lean soups, poultry, veal, vegetables and fruits, nuts, compotes and fruit drinks. If the child digests all these foods without problems, you can add to the breastfeeding diet at 3 months:

• pearl barley and millet porridge with milk;
• natural honey in small quantities;
• freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices (carrot, beetroot, pumpkin, apple);
• some mild spices, for example, basil, mint, tarragon, thyme.

You need to start, as usual, with a minimum amount, observing the baby’s reaction.

Is it possible to complete the guard for 3 months?

Considering the value of mother's milk for the growing child's body, do this without good reasons Of course, it's not worth it. However, sometimes there are situations in which there is simply no other choice. A woman’s poor health, early going to work, taking certain groups of medications and other circumstances dictate their conditions.

If you have to wean a three-month-old baby from the breast, if possible, this should be done carefully and delicately, introducing an artificial formula in a volume of 10-15 g per day after one of the feedings. Gradually, the dose and number of feedings with artificial formula increase until it completely replaces breast milk.

If breastfeeding needs to be completed urgently, choose an adapted formula that is as close in composition as possible to breast milk. And, if possible, keep in touch with your pediatrician in order to consult at any time about the child’s reaction to such a sudden change in diet.

The basis of a child's nutrition at 3 months is mother's milk or a high-quality adapted formula (see also:). You can hear the opinion that at this age it is time to introduce the baby to cereals, purees and juices, especially if he is bottle-fed. However, there is another view: until the baby is six months old, he does not need to be fed adult foods. Let's try to figure out which point of view is correct.

Breast milk is the best food for a baby and contains everything necessary for the baby's growth.

Natural feeding

Breast milk is the best food for a baby. It contains fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, hormones and immune factors. All these substances are necessary for the baby to grow fully, as well as for the development of the immune, digestive and other body systems.

If you managed to establish natural feeding, then after 3 months it is necessary to continue it. It is worth transferring your son or daughter to an adapted formula only in cases of extreme necessity, when it is not possible to maintain lactation.

As a rule, a 3-month-old baby already has a certain daily routine, including 6-7 meals. The total amount of breast milk per day that a baby drinks is 850-900 ml. So that the child brings food greatest benefit, and lactation has not subsided, several important points should be taken into account:

1. The hormone prolactin, responsible for milk production, is synthesized at night. The main stimulus is breastfeeding. You shouldn’t take long breaks between feedings at night, much less refuse them.
2. Since a woman does not consume food at night, morning milk is characterized by low energy value. This means that soon after an early snack the baby may ask for the breast again. It is important that the mother has time to have breakfast, so that closer to noon her milk becomes more satisfying.

When artificial feeding, it is important to choose a high-quality mixture

Blend selection

Modern adapted formulas can provide the child with all the necessary nutrients. However, it is necessary to select the right product. Basic recommendations:

• If the child has diseases, special mixtures are required. If you have an allergy to milk - hypoallergenic or dairy-free (soy-based), lactose intolerance - low-lactose, severe weight deficiency - high protein, and so on.
• It is advisable that the mixture contains probiotics. These include various beneficial bacteria, which settle on the intestinal mucosa and help absorb food. As a result, problems such as constipation, diarrhea, flatulence and others are prevented. In addition, probiotics help strengthen overall immunity.
• It is imperative that the formula of the artificial substitute includes minerals and vitamins. They are necessary for the normal growth and development of the baby.

Quantity calculation

How much formula can a three-month-old baby be given? The average amount is 180 ml per meal. The optimal regimen is 5 meals a day. You can accurately calculate the quantity using the following algorithm:

1. Divide the baby's weight 7. The resulting figure is the daily volume of the formula.
2. Distribute total by the number of feedings. This way you can understand how much food your baby should consume at one time.

For example, a child weighs 5.7 kg: 5700÷7= 814 ml, 814÷5=163 ml. Of course, in practice it is difficult to prepare exactly 163 ml of the mixture. You should do this: give 160 ml during the day, and add the “leftovers” to the last meal before bed. The child will eat well and sleep all night.

The main indicator when calculating the formula is the child’s weight

If the baby was born with a lot of weight and is actively gaining it, the daily volume of the diet should be calculated differently. Calorie needs must be taken into account. At 3 months, 115 kcal is needed per 1 kg of body weight. Calculation scheme:

1. Multiply the child's weight by 115. The result will be daily caloric intake.
2. Carry out calculations using the formula - (total calorie content × 1000 ml) ÷ calorie content of 1 liter of mixture. This way you can find out the daily volume of the mixture.
3. Divide the resulting figure by the number of feedings. The result will be a one-time amount of food for a high-weight child.

For example, the baby's weight is 6.7 kg. Calorie content of 1 liter of mixture is 650 kcal. Calculations: 115×6.7=771 kcal, (771×1000)÷650=1186 ml, 1186÷5=237 ml.

Mixed feeding

With a mixed diet, when breastfeeding and formula feeding are practiced, it is important to choose the right artificial milk substitute. It is worth giving preference to a product with a reduced iron content. An excess of this element can lead to the binding of lactoferin, a protein in breast milk that protects children from infectious diseases Gastrointestinal tract.

The rate of formula supplementation for mixed nutrition is not easy to determine. It can range from 25 to 120 ml per meal. Usually they follow this regimen: they offer the baby one breast, then the other, and after that, if he still shows anxiety, give him formula. As soon as the baby turns away from the bottle, feeding is stopped.

Unfortunately, in most cases, mixed feeding gradually leads to breast abandonment. It is easier to get food from a bottle than from a mother's nipple. As a result, the baby chooses the easier path.

Water requirement

From three months, the baby can already be given water to drink.

At 3 months, the baby should be supplemented with boiled water or baby tea. Sugar should not be added to drinks. In the future, this may lead to endocrine disruption ( diabetes mellitus) and hypertension. It is worth using purified bottled water for baby food. Before each use it must be boiled and cooled.

How much should a baby drink? The total fluid requirement at this age is about 100 ml per 1 kg of weight. However, it is worth considering that breast milk and formula contain liquid. It is recommended to give your child 1-2 teaspoons of water in between meals, as well as during night awakenings. There is no need to give your baby water immediately before feeding, as this can lead to a decrease in appetite.

It is worth introducing liquid (water, tea) with 1-2 drops per day. It is recommended to increase the volume by 2 times every day. It is advisable to give water in a small silicone or soft plastic spoon. It will be more comfortable for a child to drink from it than from a metal one.

The need for supplementary feeding

When the baby turns 3 months old, many parents think that it’s time to introduce cereals, juices or purees into his menu (we recommend reading:). This is due to two things. Firstly, in Soviet time This kind of early complementary feeding was practiced, and most grandmothers advise following traditions. Secondly, manufacturers of specialized baby food write on the packaging: “the product is approved from 3 months.”

Supplemental feeding at three months is not necessary and is prescribed only in exceptional cases, for example, in case of underweight or anemia

However, modern pediatricians insist that it is necessary to start feeding the baby adult foods from 6 months. Introducing complementary foods earlier may have a negative impact on his health.

However, there are exceptions to the rule. Introducing complementary foods from 4-5 months is allowed if the child is underweight, rickets or anemia (see also:). The decision to change the menu should be made by the pediatrician based on an assessment of the baby’s condition. He will recommend what foods you can eat and also give the norms for their consumption. Some tips:

• porridges for first feeding should be boiled in water and be gluten-free, possible options– rice, buckwheat, corn grits;
• first courses must be prepared from low-allergenic vegetables - pumpkin, cauliflower, broccoli.

The harm of early complementary feeding

What happens if you start feeding your baby cereals, purees and juices too early? A systemic failure in the functioning of the body may occur, which will manifest itself immediately or after several years. It should be understood that the baby’s gastrointestinal tract is not yet ready to digest a variety of solid food, since it does not contain the required amount of enzymes.

Early complementary feeding can cause allergies in a child

Possible consequences:

1. Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract - abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, regurgitation, restless behavior. Often, the functioning of the digestive system is so disrupted that it is necessary to undergo a long course of treatment in a hospital.
2. Allergy. Possible manifestations are an itchy rash, reddened areas, peeling skin. Symptoms may occur at older ages atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. Often, negative reactions are caused not only by highly allergenic but also low-allergenic foods, since the immune system is disrupted.
3. Chronic diseases. Introducing complementary foods too early leads to increased stress on the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and liver. IN school age this usually “results” in chronic inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes of the intestines and stomach (colitis, gastroduodenitis), as well as attacks of vomiting, abdominal pain, and so on.
4. End of breastfeeding. Due to the fact that the baby will consume other foods, lactation will inevitably decrease. Ultimately, this can lead to its complete extinction. The baby will be deprived of valuable nutrients found only in breast milk.