Many women in the U.S. feel ashamed or embarrassed to breast feed in public. Primarily this is due to the overt sexualization of breasts in this society. And even though most states have laws that explicitly permit a woman to breast feed in public, women who do so will often find themselves the objects of disapproving or admonishing stares. Unfortunately, until such attitudes change in this country, a bit of embarrassment is the price that women may have to pay. If a woman is prone to embarrassment, however, she can use a sheet or towel to discreetly cover her breasts when breastfeeding in public.

Naturally, you’ll be talking with your pediatrician for explicit recommendations and tips on breastfeeding your baby. But here are some typical guidelines that many experts recommend.

There is no set time to feed your child. You feed her when she’s hungry. Many new mothers who decide to breast feed their child may feel overwhelmed at first with the feeling that they are always nourishing their child. And, it’s not just their imagination. In the beginning, it won’t be uncommon to be breastfeeding her every couple of hours. However, gradually, in the following weeks, she will require less feedings.

Many child experts will recommend that, if possible, the child be breast fed for the first 6 months of her life. But every child is different, and you should talk to your pediatrician about any concerns you have. Baby’s will gain weight at different rates and depending on many factors. But, normally, you can expect to see a two-fold increase in weight by the fourth or sixth month.

How do you hold the baby while feeding? Many women experience soreness of the nipples during or after breast feeding. In many cases this is caused by the position at which she holds the baby. If the baby is held too far away or at an odd angle, the nipple will be pulled and stretched as the baby suckles. You want to hold the baby very close so she doesn’t have to strain to reach the feed.

Pediatrician offices can be busy places. And it can be tempting for moms to delay scheduling a doctor’s appointment because they just don’t want to go through the hassle. But one of the most important things that you can do as a mom is to make sure that your child sees the pediatrician on a regular basis to ensure that any problems in her development can be discovered and resolved as soon as possible.

Breast feeding requires a significant time commitment by the mom, which is why many mothers do not do it. But, on the plus side, breastfeeding burns calories. And those women who are concerned about getting back to their pre-pregnancy weight as soon as possible, should take note that breast feeding helps to shrink the uterus. Breast-feeding also provides other health benefits to women including a lowered risk of ovarian cancer, lowered blood pressure, less chance of diabetes.

By: Jill Viland

About the Author:

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Jill Viland writes articles on children, weddings, and baby related topics. For her latest article on feeding baby please visit her web page.