Understanding Postpartum Care: Feeding and Bowel Movement Insights

New parents must prioritize understanding feeding amounts and bowel movement patterns for their baby's well-being.

### Essential Insights for New Parents: Feeding, Bowel Movements, and Postpartum Care
* 👶 Dr. Park So-young and Dr. Son Soo-hee discuss the importance of postpartum care, highlighting the benefits of a postpartum care center, which many mothers find to be a **restful haven after childbirth**.
* 🍼 They emphasize the critical aspects of feeding, noting that while **exclusive breastfeeding allows for flexible feeding schedules**, mixed feeding requires **careful monitoring of total intake** rather than focusing on individual feedings.
* 📊 New parents often worry about how much their baby is eating, but it's more important to **observe overall daily consumption**, especially in the first two weeks when feeding frequency is high.
* 😟 The doctors address common anxieties surrounding breastfeeding, explaining that many mothers believe they **produce less milk than they actually do**, and stress the significance of **frequent nursing to maintain milk supply**.
* 💩 They also touch on bowel movements, clarifying that frequency can change after returning home, but the **appearance of the stool** is what parents should monitor closely.
* 📅 Postpartum recovery is highlighted, with the doctors reminding new parents that **mood swings and postpartum blues are common** during the first few weeks, and that it's essential to **prioritize rest and self-care** during this time.
* 💖 "You are doing well, keep it up!" encourages the doctors, as they conclude their discussion, wishing all new parents a **smooth transition into parenthood**.

Hello everyone, both parents and grandparents, and even the sitter. Should we go to the children's hospital in our neighborhood? I am Dr. Park So-young, a specialist in child and adolescent mental health. Hello, I am Dr. Son Soo-hee, a pediatric specialist. Today, our topic is about the postpartum care center, which many mothers have seen on our channel. So, we are prepared for this discussion. Yes, yes, it's a great video. Doctor, you have been to the postpartum care center, right? Of course, I went for two weeks. Yes, two weeks. It was really great, wasn't it? It was truly wonderful. Many people say that the postpartum care center is like heaven, and I think the reason I enjoyed it was that I had been working until just three days before giving birth. I worked until the day before, so it was really nice to not have to do anything. I think that’s what made it so enjoyable.

You can just rest and stay still in between, receiving massages. I remember watching a lot of dramas during that time. But as the minimum date approaches, the anxiety increases. Before the minimum date, they do provide some training, like how to take a bath and what miracles to expect; I remember filming all of that. The reality isn't as high as that, but while those things are important, there are two more crucial things you need to know when leaving the institution. Many people unknowingly focus solely on learning other things intensely, like how to measure height and pack bags. Honestly, if you practice a few times at home, you can get the hang of it. So when you come back and face it, it becomes manageable, but the two most important things are...

Many parents often miss this point, so I would like to explain it today. It’s about the amount of feeding and the pattern of bowel movements. When you hear it, you might think, Oh, I should know that, but there are not many parents who come in with a precise understanding. First, regarding the feeding amount, I am referring to the amount consumed from a bottle. For those who are exclusively breastfeeding, there is actually no need to worry about this. During this period, the baby can be fed whenever they want, which means you can feed them about 10 to 12 times a day. 

However, the issue arises with mixed feeding and formula feeding. It’s important to understand this clearly. Many people ask about the amount per feeding, but that’s not very important. What matters more is the total amount over time. Think about it: during the first two weeks, day and night blend together, and it’s a time when the baby feeds frequently.

That's right, there's no set amount. It's a bit greedy to think that I can adjust the portion. If you set a specific amount to eat at once, you'll worry a lot if the baby doesn't eat that amount. So, it's important to always know how much your child is eating while in the nursery. You should observe how much they eat in a day, rather than focusing on how much they eat at one time. In the nursery, it's not just about how much they ate at one time; you should look at the overall daily intake. As you mentioned, when exclusively breastfeeding, you can feed them as needed. In my case, I did mixed feeding, and I thought my baby wasn't getting enough breast milk. I was really anxious about it, especially since my son was born quite small. I remember getting upset, not just with the teachers but also feeling anxious about it. The reason is that with mixed feeding, you need to monitor how much breast milk the baby is actually getting.

It's hard to gauge how much has been consumed, so many parents worry about how much to supplement. You can look at the total amount. For example, if our child has consumed about 10 times in the nursery and supplemented with around 400 ml, we can't suddenly switch to exclusive breastfeeding when they are discharged. If we don't provide 400 ml, it will be insufficient. So, we can keep a record of how much they are consuming during supplementation and estimate that around 400 ml is a reasonable target, similar to when they were in the nursery. However, if they start consuming 700 ml, it indicates they are eating excessively. At that time, some might say, I don’t have enough breast milk, but while there are individuals who genuinely produce less, it’s quite rare. In fact, most people believe they have enough milk, even though that may not be the case.

At that time, there were some who excessively produced milk, but most mothers needed to increase their supply during that period. It is originally a time when production is low. And our babies are just starting to drink their mother's milk, so it must feel quite awkward for them. It is true that the amount gradually increases. So, even if most of the time, for those who are partially breastfeeding or using formula, the amount of formula may have been higher, once at home, they might actually breastfeed around 10 to 12 times a day, or even more. They continuously breastfeed every hour to an hour and a half, both day and night. After feeding, if burping is needed, supplementary feeding can be done by someone else, and the mother should empty the remaining milk at the lactation center. This way, the supply will increase for the next feeding session. If the breasts are too full, then it becomes an issue. Additionally, a baby who was supplemented with 400ml may gradually decrease to 200ml, then 100ml, thereby reducing the amount of supplementary feeding.

보통 그런 과정이 50일 정도는 필요해요. 50일 정도 돼야 아기가 밤에도 자고 낮에도 조금 텀을 두고 먹거든요. 그러면 엄마의 모유도 조금 전량을 유지하는 그런 시스템으로 돌아가요. 보통은 젖을 먹이고 또 유축을 해놓고, 그걸로 밤에도 먹이고 그런 식으로 하잖아요. 그런 거는 괜찮은 것 같아요. 낮에만 모유를 주고 밤에는 푹 자고 분유를 먹여서 푹 자고, 약간 이런 식으로 하시는 분들도 있어요. 근데 그거는 나중에 해야 되는 거고요. 아까도 말씀드렸듯이, 지금은 전향을 늘리는 식이에요. 그러니까 선생님 말씀하신 것처럼, 나는 그냥 한두 달 먹고 모유는 더 안 할 생각이야 이러면 상관이 없어요. 그렇게 하셔도 괜찮아요. 그런데 나는 6개월 아니면 돌 때까지 혼합 수유를 하고 싶다면...

Some people plan to continue breastfeeding, right? For those individuals, if you follow this method, your milk supply will significantly decrease within one to two months. There are hormones that keep the milk flowing for about 50 days. For these hormones to be well secreted, our baby needs to nurse frequently. Additionally, it's important to empty the breasts regularly. Interestingly, the hormone levels tend to be higher at night. Therefore, during this period, you should actually breastfeed at night as well. This will greatly help with maintaining your milk supply. If direct breastfeeding is too difficult, you should also consider pumping. So, for about 50 to 60 days, even if it’s tough, I recommend that those who are breastfeeding directly try to maintain a frequent nursing schedule. During this time, mothers will be breastfeeding about 10 to 12 times a day, which means they won't be able to do much else. Plus, you need to ensure that the breasts are emptied completely.

We should cut it out, so the remaining tasks should be handled by someone else. If this is done incorrectly, it will affect us for the rest of our lives. The timing seems really important, so the role of fathers is to manage all the other tasks well and also to provide mental support for the mother while breastfeeding, ensuring she can nurse comfortably. Then, the mother should be able to rest well.

So, regarding breastfeeding, we have clarified that. The second point you mentioned was about bowel movements. What should we prepare ourselves for regarding that? Please let me know about the frequency and other details. However, it's not that important because everything changes when we get home. Oh, I see. It's fascinating how children are very sensitive to their environment; for instance, a baby who used to have three bowel movements a day in the maternity ward might only have one at home, or even once every three days. The frequency itself isn't that crucial. What matters is...

It's about the appearance. We've done various content on things like moisture, color, and consistency on our channel multiple times. If you take a look at those, it might be helpful. For those who are seeing this for the first time, before we start, it's important to understand how it appears. For example, when they enter our room during the group study, there are kids who are very diligent. You can ask questions like, Is this green color okay? or Is this black color fine? at that moment. The experts are there to provide guidance. At that time, it might be good to check the videos we have on our channel regarding bowel movements so that you won’t be surprised. However, the truth is that factors like weight or slight health conditions...

Check these things. I thought it would be like this, but that's not the case. Eating and fighting are also important; eating and fighting are the most important things. So, weight is important, and health status is important too. However, it's really difficult for parents to judge this. In the case of weight, if there’s no specific mention of it during the pediatric ward round, then there's no need to weigh the child daily at home. After discharge, you should go to the hospital about two weeks later. The child needs to receive vaccinations, including the BCG and the second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Also, when the child is two months old, there will be another vaccination, so weighing the child at that time is sufficient. After discharge, many parents come to me for the BCG or hepatitis B vaccinations. Parents often come in saying, Our child did so well in the nursery, but since coming home, they're not doing well.

I feel like I don't have a talent for parenting. It's really hard. Many people say this, but it's completely normal. The baby I had in the maternity ward and the baby I have now are completely different. Even just one or two weeks can change a baby significantly. The baby from yesterday and the baby today can be different. During that time, they grow so quickly. So, comparing the current baby to the past baby from the maternity ward is pointless. You just have to let go of that. And don't worry too much about the future. As I mentioned earlier, right now, you should focus on whether you're feeding well and if the baby is having regular bowel movements. Just paying attention to those things makes the 24 hours go by quickly. Also, it's crucial for the mother to rest. At this time, the mother's body needs to recover, and since you're new parents, you should really take a moment to appreciate how it feels to be parents.

It's okay, we will be there soon. I hope we can spend a lot of time getting to know each other during this new stage of life. Additionally, I would like to mention that after giving birth, you will be in a recovery period for about two to three weeks. After that, when you go home, it will be around three to four weeks postpartum. This is the time when postpartum symptoms are most prevalent, especially between three to six weeks. So even if it's not severe depression, many experience postpartum blues, and mood swings can be quite intense. It's important to remember that your hormones are fluctuating during this time, so I hope you can give yourself a little grace. You are doing well, keep it up! If anyone is watching this video from the recovery center, enjoy the remaining time. Thank you for the great words today, and see you next time. Goodbye!

I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that.

신생아 육아팁, 산후조리원 퇴소할 때🧳 꼭 알아두어야할 2가지‼️

보통의 육아를 응원합니다 ♥︎

우리동네 어린이병원
아이 셋 키우는 육아고수,  소아과 의사 엄마 손쌤,
아이와 함께 크는 감성육아, 소아 정신과 의사 엄마 박쌤

우리 아이에 대해 너무너무 궁금하지만, 
진료실에서 못 물어봤던 이야기들, 
함께 나눠봐요!

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감사합니다.*


우리동네 어린이병원, 우리어린이

Son Soo-hee discuss the benefits of postpartum care centers, highlighting their role in providing rest and support for new mothers.

The doctors emphasize the importance of understanding feeding amounts and bowel movement patterns for newborns, especially for those using mixed or formula feeding.

They stress that the total amount of feeding over time is more crucial than the amount per feeding, as newborns typically require frequent feedings in the first two weeks.

It's important to focus on the overall daily intake of food for the baby, rather than the amount eaten at one time.

Mixed feeding can cause anxiety for parents, as it's challenging to gauge the baby's breast milk consumption.

The baby's feeding pattern may change after leaving the nursery, and it's common for them to breastfeed frequently to increase milk supply.

The Importance of a Consistent Breastfeeding Routine

A consistent breastfeeding routine for about 50 days is crucial for maintaining milk supply, as hormones that support milk flow are higher during this period.

Frequent nursing, especially at night, and regular breast emptying are key to sustaining milk production.

The father's role in managing other tasks and providing mental support is essential for the mother's well-being during this challenging time.

Understanding Baby's Appearance and Health

The appearance of a baby, including factors like color and consistency, is important to monitor, especially during group study sessions with experts present.

Weight and health conditions are crucial, but daily weighing at home is not necessary unless specifically mentioned by the pediatrician.

Parents should focus on regular vaccinations, feeding, and bowel movements, while also taking time to rest and adjust to their new role.

The speaker expresses hope for building a strong relationship during a new life stage.

They highlight the recovery period after birth, lasting two to three weeks, followed by three to four weeks postpartum when symptoms are most common.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-compassion during this time of hormonal fluctuations and intense mood swings.