Nutrition Tips Archives - Page 6 of 26

August 4, 2022August 6, 2022

In Nutrition Tipsby auntuser

Can you tell when your child is hungry or satisfied?

Crying is a late sign of hunger.
Can you tell when your child is hungry or satisfied?
Sounds and movements are examples of ways babies who can’t talk communicate their hunger or satiety cues. Crying is a late sign of hunger. Getting to know your child’s signs of feeding are important to help you know when and how often to feed your child especially when they can’t talk.

Below are examples of signs babies show for hunger and fullness fullness respectively from a new born to 5 months of age;

Restlessness
Opening mouth and turning head side to side
Putting his/her tongue out
Suckling on fingers and fists.
Turns head towards breast
Smiles, coos and gazes at the caregiver during feeding.
While satiety cues are;
. The baby relaxes
. Turns the head away from the breast
. Falls asleep
. Seals the lips
. Decreases suckling or stops
. Obstructs the mouth with their hands.
Children are different so not all signs will manifest in your child. As you learn your child, keep these signs at the back of your head and observe for any new signs shown.

“Always remember your child has the innate ability to determine when they are hungry or satisfied, desist from force feeding”
Nutritionist || Dietician Aunt Porridge.

August 4, 2022August 4, 2022

In Nutrition Tipsby auntuser

Do you ever ask yourself if your baby is breastfeeding enough?

Today we put this question to rest. Below are good indicators you should look out for in your child. These will tell you whether the breast milk is adequate or inadequate and you need to do something about it;

If your child is gaining sufficient weight from birth.
The baby has at least 4-6 wet nappies or diapers a day.
After breastfeeding, your baby should be relaxed and satisfied and not uncomfortable or crying.
Your child doesn’t receive anything else apart from breast milk and meds prescribed by the doctor especially once they are below 6months of age.

While breastfeeding, observe these signs in your child. Before you continue please read this article: Is your baby latching well. It will tell you whether your child is attached ed correctly.

Check for the following to ensure that your child is breast feeding correctly;

Your baby’s mouth is wide open and most of the darker skin (areola) is in his/her mouth.
The lower lip is turned outward
Your baby’s chin is touching the breast
When you observe your baby’s cheeks, they are rounded
During breastfeeding, your baby takes deep slow sucks, sometimes pausing.
One last tip is you can also hear the baby swallowing. let your baby empty one breast first and come off the breast on his or her own. This will ensure that your baby gets the most nutritious and satisfying milk. Then give your baby the other breast.

“The first milk is watery to quench the baby’s thirst, then thicker and fatty which will make them satisfied”.

Nutritionist || Dietician Aunt Porridge.

August 3, 2022August 4, 2022

In Nutrition Tipsby auntuser

What is a good latch or what does it look like?

Is your baby latching on well?

What is a good latch or how does it look like?

Latch refers to how a baby fastens onto the breast while breastfeeding. In simple terms latch is how your baby takes your nipple and areola “darker skin on the breast” into their mouth to suckle.

What are the benefits of a good latch vs bad latch?
A good latch promotes high milk flow and minimizes nipple discomfort for the mother while a bad latch does the opposite.
Now that you have understood what latching is and it’s importance.

Let’s go to next step of How to have a good latch.
Most people think that latching comes naturally. This is not true.
When you first begin to breastfeed, you may need help with getting your baby properly attached to avoid hurting your nipples.
Touch the baby’s lips or tip of the nose with your nipple. This gets the baby opening their mouth wide, then quick and gently bring the baby closer aiming the lower lip slightly below the nipple.
The baby’s tongue should be over the bottom gums.

If you feel pain don’t be afraid to remove the breast from your child’s mouth and begin the process again. “the baby might cry, it’s okay!!! you have got to do it right”
Nutritionist || Dietician Aunt Porridge.

August 2, 2022August 2, 2022

In Nutrition Tipsby auntuser

7 ways on how dads can help during breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a family and community affair. For the successful breastfeeding of a child, teamwork is key 👌. This is why today we bring you tips on how dads can offer support during breastfeeding. Here are ways you can help;

You can burp the baby after they are done breastfeeding.
Bringing the baby to the mother for breastfeeding.
In case mother is away and she left expressed breast milk, you can offer to warm the milk and give it to the baby.
You can offer back and neck massages; these help relax her body so she can breastfeed efficiently.
Offering fluids like a big glass of water during breastfeeding time.
Encouragement goes a long way especially when a mother doesn’t feel good about herself. “boosting her self confidence”.
Taking on the tasks she was doing before breastfeeding like washing dishes, cooking or running errands. This helps relieve her from any stress so she can focus on what is at hand-Breastfeeding

“Just remember for breastfeeding to be successful, everyone must take part and not just one person-the mother”
Nutritionist || Dietician Aunt Porridge.