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Maternity

How Do I Nurse My Baby?

Breastfeeding your new baby will start out as an experiment of trial and error, but as you get to know your baby you will become more comfortable and confident, and breastfeeding will become a wonderful time of bonding and nurturing for you and your baby. For every mom and baby, there are a variety of positions and environments that will and will not work. Following are some suggestions to help you figure out what works best for you and your child.

Preparation

Before you begin to breastfeed, be sure to wash your hands and get as comfortable as possible. Using pillows to prop up the baby and your arms helps to alleviate back and shoulder strain. Propping your feet up often helps too. Relaxing will help your milk come down to your breasts (letdown), and provides a more pleasurable experience for you and your baby. Also be sure to have a glass of juice or water on hand to drink while you are feeding your baby.

For some babies, environment also plays a very important role. Most babies do best in a quiet place, with little distraction. Therefore, you may want to nurse in a quiet room with little traffic, and perhaps play some quiet music. Just pay attention to your baby's actions and you will see what works best for you.

Positioning Your Baby

There are several positions you can hold your baby in for breastfeeding.

  • Cradle or Madonna Hold
    Cradle the baby in the arm closest to the breast, with the baby’s head in the crook of your elbow.
    Have the baby’s body facing you, tummy to tummy, chest to chest.
    Use your opposite hand to support the breast
  • Football or Clutch Hold
    Position the baby along one of your sides.
    Tuck the baby up under your arm, with your forearm supporting the baby’s body keeping the baby’s ear, should and hips in a straight line.
    Hold the baby’s neck and upper back in the palm of your hand.
    Support the breast with your opposite hand.
    When the baby opens the mouth wide quickly pull the baby onto the breast.
  • Cross Cradle or Transitional Hold
    Lay the baby on firm pillows across your lap.
    Turn the baby’s chest and tummy toward your chest and tummy.
    Reach across your lap to support the baby’s body with your arm and the baby’s neck and upper back with the palm of your hand.
    Support your breast using the hand on the same side as the breast you are feeding the baby.
  • Lying Down or Sidelying
    Lie on your side with a pillow supporting your baby and lay your baby so you are facing each other.
    To start, prop yourself up on your elbow and support your breast with that hand.
    Pull the baby close to you, lining up the baby’s mouth with your nipple.
    Use the opposite hand to pull the baby onto the breast.
    Once the baby is latched on well, lie back down and support your breast with the opposite hand.

Latching Your Baby On

  • Hold your breast with one hand with your fingers underneath and the thumb on top when using the “C” hold or with your fingers on one side and the thumb on the other side of the breast when using the “U” hold.
  • Have your fingers back from the areola (the dark skin around the nipple)
  • Line up the baby’s lip with your nipple.
  • Stroke the baby ‘s lips with your nipple until the baby’s mouth opens wide and the tongue drops down and forward.
  • Quickly pull the baby onto the breast leading with the baby’s chin.
  • If nursing hurts after the first few minutes, take the baby off the breast and relatch the baby.
  • Do not press down in the breast or pull the breast away from the baby’s nose. The tip of the baby’s nose should touch the breast. The baby will be able to breathe fine in this position.


Breastfeeding is Going Well When:

  • Your baby is feeding at least 8 times in 24 hours for 30-40 minutes a feeding.
  • The baby softens at least one breast well at each feeding.
  • You feel a tugging on your nipple but no pain when the baby sucks.
  • The baby sucks at least 4 or more sucks before pausing and starts to suck again in less than 10 seconds without stimulation.
  • You can hear or see the baby swallow at the breast or see the opposite breast leak.
  • Your baby is content after the feeding.
  • By 5 days of age the baby has at least 6 wet diapers and 3 or more loose, yellow, seedy bowel movements every 24 hours.