Getting A Baby to Suckle

Getting A Baby to Suckle
A newborn that seems to be fussing and unable to enjoy eating may have troubles or issues around food later in life. The baby could become a picky eater or simply have bad associations with eating and end up being underweight.

It is essential that your baby “latch” on to the breast and learn how to suckle as part of a routine that teaches him or her to have a positive attitude towards food.

The basis of breastfeeding is getting the baby to latch on well. A baby who latches on well gets milk well. A baby who latches on poorly has more difficulty getting milk and therefore will be hungrier and gain less weight.

A baby that feels secure and comfortable in your arms has a better chance of getting optimum nutrition from breast feeding.

Try rocking the baby in your arms or sitting in a rocking chair. Support your back and arms with a pillow or necessary so that both of you feel stable and are not shifting around.

There are quite a few other ways you can convince your baby to suckle even if he or she is reluctant:
• Give your baby lots of attention and skin-to-skin contact
• Nurse without a bra
• Nurse the baby when he or she is sleepy. You will be more successful if you feed while he or she is drifting off or just starting to wake up
• Minimize distractions by nursing in a dark quiet room

Studies have also shown that having the two of you in the same room at night can also create a bond that makes feeding at the breast more relaxing and positive for the child.

If you are having trouble getting your baby to latch on you can also get a consultation with a lactation expert. Do not be afraid to get this advice. Most maternity and neo-natal care departments have a lactation expert on staff to specifically help women who have issues with breastfeeding.

And remember — If you are feeding your baby with a bottle be sure that all water you prepare formulas with is absolutely sterile. Giving your baby bad water can be fatal.

Do not try to force your baby to eat according to your schedule. It is simply not going to happen! For a healthy baby be sure to feed him or her when hungry. Feed your baby on demand!

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Stripping Down to Your Priorities

Living a life of voluntary simplicity and minimalism is not an act of resignation. It is a brave, practical and very spiritual decision.
Instead of seeing living simply as a 'loss' you can see it as making a mature, unselfish choice to declutter your life of everything from personal dramas, to unproductive behaviors to ways of making money. In fact, many people immediately become more prosperous the minute that they start throwing things out, both physical and relationship-oriented, as they act as obstacles to your prosperity.

Living a life of voluntary simplicity and minimalism does not mean you have 'dropped out' of life. It does not mean you do not care about money or have let go of your ambitions. It does not mean that you have to become all 'Zen Buddhist' or give away all that you own.
Basically all that it means is letting go of those things that do not serve you anymore. The problem is that while we are living many of us tend to collect a great many things, people and situations that have nothing to do with propelling us forward or getting what we want from our lives.

The idea is that once you get rid of these things, you make room for those things that you do want in our life that can bring you the fulfillment and joy in life that you are looking for.
One of the main benefits of deciding to live your life this way is that it forces you to see with more clarity and get your priorities straight.

Other benefits of voluntarily making the choice to live in a life of voluntary simplicity and minimalism are:
• You feel more peaceful
• Your life costs less
• You are healthier
• You may live longer
• You live in a less cluttered home
• Others benefit from you throwing out your clutter
• You get rid of the drama queens in your life
• You are no longer controlled by the past
• You control your life; not other people
• You will be able to focus on your goals without distraction
• You will feel less stressed
• You will get more rest
• You have greater freedom
• You will be me organized
• You will create less waste and you will pollute less
• You will have more time

The bottom line is that when you start throwing things out of your life you empower yourself by saying 'no' to those people and situations that subtly undermine your goals and happiness and you will be able to get on with your own life.

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