What Type Of A Nurser Is Your Baby?
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Just as every baby has a unique personality, so does each baby have a unique nursing style. Your baby may fall into one of these categories classified by researchers. Or you may find your baby has developed a nursing persona all his or her own.
Barracuda: Your baby's nursing style is barracuda-like if he or she latches on to the breast tenaciously and suckles voraciously for ten to twenty minutes. A barracuda baby doesn't dawdle - feeding time is no nonsense for him or her. Occasionally, a barracuda baby's suck is so vigorous that it actually hurts at first. If your nipples fall victim to your barracuda baby's strong suck. Don't worry — they'll toughen up quickly as they acclimate to nursing with the sharks.
Excited Ineffective: If your baby becomes so wound up with excitement when presented with a breast that he or she often loses grasp of it - and then screams and cries in frustration - it's likely you have an excited ineffective on your hands. Mothers of this type of nurser have to practice extra patience; you'll need to get your baby nice and calm before pulling him or her back on the job. Usually, excited ineffectives become less excited and more effective as they get the hang of nursing, at which point they'll be able to hold on to the prize without incident.
Procrastinator: Procrastinators do just that procrastinate. These slowpoke babies show no particular interest or ability in sucking until the fourth or fifth day, when the milk comes in. Forcing a procrastinator to feed before he or she's game will do no good (as forcing one to do homework before the last minute will surely backfire, but you'll find that out later on ). Instead, waiting it out seems to be the best bet; procrastinators tend to get down to the business of nursing when they're good and ready.
Gourmet: If your baby likes to play with your nipple, mouth it, taste a little milk, smack his or her lips, and then slowly savor each mouthful of milk as though composing a restaurant review, he or she is likely a gourmet. As far as the gourmet is concerned, breast milk is not fast food. Try to rush gourmets through their meal and they'll become thoroughly furious - so let them take their time enjoying the feeding experience.
Rester: Resters like to nurse a few minutes and then rest a few minutes. Some even prefer the nip-and-nap approach: nurse for fifteen minutes, fall asleep for fifteen minutes, then wake to continue the feeding. Nursing this type of baby will take time and it will take patience, but hurrying a rester through his or her course, like hurrying a gourmet, will do no good.
Caroline Joana is the owner of http://www.guide-to-baby-needs.com where she shares her knowledge on baby massage, home remedies for baby baby needs, baby health, breastfeeding, baby care etc.
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