Rest to digest!
In order for a baby’s digestive system to do it’s job properly their nervous system needs to be in a calm state. – this responsibility falls to the parasympathetic nervous system. The PNS lowers blood pressure, promotes digestion and eliminates waste from our bodies and this is no different for our babies. This is known as rest-and-digest mode. With more time resting and digesting, the body is able to eliminate toxins and metabolise the nutrients a baby needs to thrive.
If a baby is feeding frequently, tummy is filled continuously and may present with reflux or colic, bubs is most likely in a constant fight or flight response.
This doesn’t promote healthy digestion.
Especially breastfeeding mums are told to feed frequently due to baby’s small tummies. This is not the best advice. Yes babies tummies are small and don’t stretch much. But that doesn’t mean they need feeding every 30 minutes to an hour. For a baby to fully empty their tummy and their digestive system to work optimally, 3 hours for a newborn and even longer for a baby older, is a good time between feeds. A baby can also fill their tummy, depending on mums lactation, in 10-15 minutes. Anymore more time is often taken up by comfort feeding. They may also over feed, their tummy will feel over full.
A baby who isn’t sleeping and is feeding frequently doesn’t engage their parasympathetic nervous system to rest and allow the milk to digest.
Giving baby time between feeds will alleviate discomfort, minimise silent reflux and a diagnosis of colic.
Rest to digest is very important to remember.
Normalising cluster feeding, snacking and frequent feeds isn’t in the best interest of your baby and you.