Positioning
In order to ensure breastfeeding is a comfortable and pleasant experience both for you and your baby, it is important you find the right position. This can help not only with bonding but also posture and save you from backache and shoulder, neck pain.
Proper position - Assume an easy and comfortable position - a position in which both you and your baby feel good. Breastfeeding should start relaxed.
Position your baby so that his face is directed towards your nipple. Baby's belly is against mom's belly, so the neck and back are lined up. Baby's nose should be at the height of the chest.
Support your baby's neck and back, not just behind his head. And possibly support your breast with your free hand. There should be no fingers on the areola when you support yourself.
Stroke your baby's lips with your nipple until his mouth is wide open. It is important that the baby takes both the nipple and a large part of the areola in his mouth. And he can only do that if he really opens his mouth wide.
If your baby has his mouth open, pull him towards you, he should automatically respond. If he does not do that and, for example, he will only suck on your nipple, do not let him continue drinking. If your baby only sucks on your nipple, the mammary glands are not stimulated enough. This can cause painful tears in your nipple, the dreaded nipple gaps.
If your little one does not sit well, do not just pull your breast out of your baby's mouth, but loosen it by gently pressing your little finger into the corner of his mouth. This way you release the vacuum and you can disconnect your baby without damaging your nipple. Now start over again: make sure your little one opens his mouth wide and pull him back to you.
Do not try to put the nipple in a reluctant mouth. Let your baby take the initiative.
If you block your baby's nose and he can not breathe properly, you can move the legs of your little one further under your arm along your waist. Raise your chest a bit. Or pull his backside towards you. This way his nose stays free to breathe.
Don't press your breast with your fingers, this can block the milk channels.
If you see a strong and rhythmic suction and swallowing movement in the jaws of the baby, and that movement continues to the ears, it is most likely going well.
Is your little one is feeding and this does not hurt, then your baby can drink as long as he wants. Let him decide for himself how much milk is enough.
It may be that feeding on first few days feels painful, try to keep going. The more often the baby drinks, the less pain there will be. If breastfeeding continues to hurt or the pain gets worse, consult a breastfeeding consultant or lactation consultant as soon as possible. She can work with you to figure out where the pain comes from. And give you some tips to make feeding more pleasant.
Tips
- It is better to feed on request (if the baby wants it) instead of keeping a tight schedule.
- There is no maximum on the number of breastfeeding. Eight to twelve feedings per 24 hours during the first weeks are perfectly normal. After this, many babies drink six to eight times a day, even if they are already several months old. Some slightly more, others slightly less.
- The more often you offer the breast, the faster the breastfeeding starts. And the less burden you will experience nipples from sucking. If your baby is allowed to drink less often, he will suck the breast much more eagerly, which is more taxing for your nipples.
- Offer both breasts. The last drunk breast is normally the fullest. And thus becomes the first breast that you offer at the next feeding.
- Keep your child upright after feeding, to prevent vomiting.
Also see these information articles: · Breastfeeding · Benefits · Bottling · Breastfeeding diapers · Changing food · Clustering · Duration · Empty days · Let down reflex · Menstruation · Milk channels and breast inflammation · Milk production · Nipples · Physical consequences · Quickly stopping · Reasons to stop · Tandem feeding · Thrush
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