Breastfeeding in babies with Down syndrome
Breast milk is the best food for babies, all experts recognize its benefits to the mother and baby. In the case of children with Down syndrome, breastfeeding may present some additional problems, due to the effort that the baby has to make when sucking, a greater effort than the one made with the bo
Breast milk is the best food for babies, all experts recognize its benefits to the mother and baby. In the case of children with Down syndrome, breastfeeding may present some additional problems, due to the effort that the baby has to make when sucking, a greater effort than the one made with the bottle.
In Guiainfantil.com we tell you how to help the disabled baby to enjoy breastfeeding and foster bonding, attachment and contact with your child.
5 tips for breastfeeding the baby with Down syndrome
Babies with Down syndrome have low tone in the facial muscles so that it may be possible to stimulate the suction take longer than in other babies, nevertheless with affection and patience it is possible to get it. We help you with some tips:
- The upper lip of the child must be at the level of the nipple, rubbing it to stimulate the opening of the mouth, when you do it you have to move closer to the chest sticking to you the whole body of the child. Try it the necessary times until you get it. The baby has to be well placed to the nipple so that it takes out the milk with the least possible effort.
- If you lose interest or do not try to suck, we can talk to you or change your chest to keep you active and awake since bebés babies with Down syndrome are usually more sleepy , especially during the first weeks.- It is convenient that, especially in the first days, the feedings are made every 3 hours, after this period breastfeeding is recommended on demand.
- You can prepare the child to make a good suck before putting it to the breast, for this place your finger in the child's mouth and press both cheeks with the index finger and thumb at the same time to promote the sealing of the lips. Move your cheeks forward and backward. It's about
training him for correct suction .- It is convenient to wash the baby's nose before starting to breastfeed so that he can breathe properly and without fatigue. You can use a saline solution for this.
Source
:Down Spain
