Isn’t breast-feeding too hard for my baby’s heart? The “work” of breast-feeding is actually
less than the work of bottle-feeding. Sucking, swallowing and breathing are easier for a baby to
coordinate, and the amount of oxygen available to your baby is greater while breast-feeding
than when bottle-feeding. In general, when compared to bottle-fed babies, breast-fed babies
with congenital heart defects have more consistent weight gain.
Once my baby is breast-feeding, how can I tell if he or she is getting enough? Your baby
is probably getting enough milk if you’re nursing 8–12 times a day, the baby is latching on well,
and you can hear the baby gulping and swallowing. Your baby should have at least 6–8 wet
diapers per day. A consistent weight gain will also tell you that your baby is getting enough milk.