Young mothers often face such a question: "How is it better to feed a baby: by the clock or at the first request?". WHO recommendations on this issue are unambiguous: breastfeeding should be done in a free regime and last for at least six months. However, modern parents choose their own convenient way of feeding: on demand or by the hour, not always listening to the opinion of doctors. On this account, there are many techniques of well-known pediatricians who hold one or another opinion.
Feeding on Spock
Back in the 60s of the last century, many raised their children according to Dr. Spock's book.
According to his methods, the child should be brought up in accordance with certain rules and regulations. As for feeding, in his opinion, the child should not cry for a long time, waiting for a meal. If the child does not calm down for 15 minutes, and since the last feeding has already passed more than 2 hours, it is necessary to feed him. This also needs to be done in the case when two more hours have not passed since the last feeding, but the child ate a little during the last meal. If he ate well, but the crying does not stop, the doctor recommends giving him a pacifier - it's hardly a "hungry" crying. If the crying is increased, you can give him some food, for comfort.
Thus, the famous pediatrician Spock was of the opinion that a baby should be fed by the clock, while observing a certain schedule.
Breastfeeding by the hour involves the observance of a certain regimen. Thus, a newborn child, when fed on a clock, needs to be fed every 3 hours, including 1 time at night, that is, for a day a woman must perform 8 breast-feeding.
The natural style of education of William and Marta Serz
In contrast to the above, in the 90 years, the so-called "natural style" was developed. It arose in opposition to the official views of pediatrics. Its origins lie in nature itself, which has long been successfully researched and described by ethological scientists. Adherents of this style were William and Marta Serz. They formulated 5 rules:
- Make contact with the child as soon as possible.
- Learn to recognize the signals that the baby is giving, and react to them in a timely manner.
- Feed the baby solely with the breast.
- Try to carry the baby with you.
- Put the child to bed next to him.
This principle of upbringing does not imply adherence to a certain regime, that is, the child is being fed on demand .
Thus, each mother decides on her own, to breast-feed the baby on demand or by the hour. Each of the methods described above has advantages and disadvantages.
Modern neonatologists, pediatricians, and gynecologists recommend long-term breastfeeding in a free regime, at the first request of the baby.