Breast Feeding Tips

Breastfeeding your child is one of the best things you can do for your newborn. It offers a variety of healthy benefits. Here are some tips on how to make it easier for you to do.

• Try to place baby at the breast as soon as possible after birth. Ideally, this will happen right in the delivery room. Ensure that your practitioner will allow you to nurse in the birthing or delivery room if all goes normal.

• Mothers and babies learn how to sleep in the same rhythm. Thus, when the baby starts waking for a feed, the mother will also start to wake up naturally. The baby shows long before he starts crying that he is ready to feed. His breathing may change, for example. Or he may start to stretch. The mother, being in light sleep, will awaken, her milk will start to flow and the calm baby will be content to nurse.

• Babies will take whatever method gives them a rapid flow of fluid and may refuse others that do not. Thus, in the first few days, when the mother is producing only a little milk and the baby gets a bottle from which he gets rapid flow, he will tend to prefer the rapid flow method. Just because a baby will "take both" does not mean that the natural method is not more beneficial.

• Nurse for as long as the baby wants. Most newborns require ten to forty-five minutes to complete a feeding.

• Try not to impose too many restrictions on the length or frequency of breastfeeding.

• Don't try and feed your baby if she is screaming. If crying has begun, do some rocking and soothing before you start nursing. You can also try offering your finger to suck on until the baby calms down.

• Position yourself comfortably with back support, pillows supporting your arms and in your lap, and your feet supported by a footrest.

• Position baby close to you, with his hips flexed, so that he does not have to turn his head to reach your breast. His mouth and nose should be facing your nipple.

• Support your breast so it is not pressing on your baby's chin. Your baby's chin should drive into your breast.

• If you are feeling pain, detach baby gently and try again.

• As long as you are comfortable and baby is nursing successfully, use whatever works for you. There are a variety of breastfeeding positions to try.

• It is very important to bring the baby to your nipple height. Leaning over your baby can cause backaches, neck and shoulder strain, or sore nipples.

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