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Write Your Way to Success
Why and How to Keep a Breastfeeding Journal
By Teri Brown
According to White, your daily breastfeeding journal at between birth and the 5th day should note the following:
- Approximate time (to the nearest hour) that the feeding started
- Duration of feeding in minutes
- Whether you could hear Baby swallowing
- If Baby is having bowel movements and urinating daily and what the color and consistency is
You might also want to develop a fuss food list of possible food sensitivities. Jot down what you ate when your baby exhibits behaviors such as colic, bloating, severe constipation or diarrhea and restless sleep. "If you suspect your baby is reacting to a particular food, eliminate it from your diet for at least a week," White says. "For example, if you want to be sure [that] corn is the culprit, try eating a small portion and gradually increase and note if your baby's symptom's reappear. If so, scratch it from your diet while breastfeeding. Your journal should note the suspected food, observed behaviors and results after one-week elimination from your diet."
You don't have to keep your journal forever. Goodness knows, new moms have enough to do. But look at it as a tool to help you succeed. The crucial time in breastfeeding is during those first two months; once you get past that, you are virtually home free.
"Daily journalizing will heighten your awareness and give you a more accurate picture of your baby's progress," White says. "If you have a question or concern, jot it down in your journal and keep it with you at all times to get answers from your health care provider. Remember, breastfeeding is a learned skill; it requires patience and practice. [Journaling] your way through this precious time is time well spent and builds a bond and memories that will last a lifetime."
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