The left hand side of the brain is the almighty governor of our thought processes. The right hand side of the brain is the creative, non boundary, imaginary part of our psyche; it also has no fear!
Most children up until school age, by natures call, dominantly use the right hand side to learn. The before school years are the most significant learning years of any humans life, we learn more in those years than we do rest of our lives. From school days onwards, we learn through conditioning, we slide the right hand side of the brain towards the back waters of our mind. From school days onwards, we learn to 'measure' everything with the left hand side of the brain. Everything must have a proof, have a reason, must be seen and must be explained. We develop fear as a part of the process.
When a woman embarks on the great baby expedition from whence there is no return, a lot of the baggage she takes with her on this journey comes packed with great expectations. The heaviest & most burdensome one of all is the one called 'perfection'.
All the while, the left hand side of the brain menacingly rubs its hands with glee, its about to get its full quota and plus some more, of control.
Its the perfection package that usually starts the downfall of breastfeeding.
We see in glossy magazines, beautiful cherub babies, healthy & robust surrounded by white. White the symbol of purity & perfection. In real life babies rarely look or act like their magazine counterparts, but the toll of the subconscious starts to partner with the left hand side of the brain with some parents feeling "why isn't my baby like that? thought fermenting away deep inside.
Drawing the right hand side of the brain out will quickly dispel any unsettingly feelings. The trouble with the elusive RHSOB is that it needs to be drawn out, coaxed, possibly given a kick start if it hasn't been used for a while.
To draw out the RHSOB, you need to relax. Relaxation is the key to many successes in life; breastfeeding is one them.
The very first uncertainty mothers question is "how much is my baby getting?" As mothers cant actually see the volume the baby consumes, the LHSOB starts to instill doubt, because people are conditioned from school age to 'prove' everything, to have evidence to support an argument. Breastfeeding mothers have to push this developed aspect aside and consider a relaxed common sense approach which uses a natural form of measurement. A weight gain of around 300g or more per week and at least 6 wet nappies a day is a sign that all is going well.
Some points to consider as guidelines
1) The smaller the baby the more feeds the baby will need. Larger babies are more efficient feeders than smaller, lightweight babies who tend to graze. Premmie babies will consume less but at more times throughout a 24 hour period.
2) Look at family genetic history, if the parents are grazers than the bub more than likely will be as well etc.
3) Hunger is painful for a baby, that's why they cry for a feed, so always feed a baby on demand. Never make the baby wait more than a few minutes. The old fashioned technique of closing the door on a screaming baby till it was 'its scheduled feed time' has thankfully been done away with, as having severe and detrimental consequences.
4) No comparison. If a mum from mothers group has a baby that feeds every 3 hours through the day, and sleeps 6 hours at night, and your baby doesn't; there's nothing wrong, your baby's pattern is their own.
5) There will always be good days and bad days.
6) Growth spurts, which is a great indicator baby is growing well also means baby will want to feed more. A few days of baby wanting to be attached at the breast permanently will be followed by a few days of longer sleeps, followed by you going shopping for clothes the next size up.
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