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Breast feed your
baby 8 to 12 times per 24 hour. Some babies may have occasional periods
where they breast feed several times within the space of a few hours followed
by a period of sleep. This is called cluster feeding and is normal. Breastfeed
when baby is awake or shows signs of moving into light sleep. It is best
to breastfeed before baby fusses or cries. A crying baby is not very teachable
and this is a learning time for baby as well as for you! Keep your baby
with you after birth so that you can learn to recognize feeding cues such
as hand movements, eye flutters or quiet sounds.
There are several options
for positioning. You can sit up in a comfortable chair, supported by pillows,
or lie down on your side on a firm mattress. Lying down to breastfeed
is not advised on a water bed or if any substance is being used by the
mother that may impair her ability to respond to her baby, in the cradle,
cross-cradle and lying-down positions, it is important to have baby fully
facing mother with baby's ear, shoulder, and hip in a straight line. Using
pillows to bring the baby up to breast level may be helpful. Mothers can
experiment to find which nursing position works best for them. The cradle
and cross-cradle are two positions many new mothers find comfortable.
The cradle position is frequently described in breastfeeding books. A
full explanation of the cross-cradle hold follows.
To Breast feed on the
Left Breast:
(Reverse for the Right Breast)
- Lift the baby to breast level so
that the baby's body is turned toward yours, tummy to tummy. Spread
your right hand and clasp the baby at the base of the neck, thumb above
and fingers below. The baby's lower shoulder will be supported in the
palm of your hand, and baby's lower cheek will rest on your fingers.
- Support the baby's body along your
right forearm, with the baby's bottom resting near the crook of your
right arm. Hug the baby's hips close to your body. Avoid pushing on
the baby's head, as this creates discomfort and will place the baby's
nose too close to the breast. Support your left breast with your hand.
Place your thumb on top and your other fingers underneath, keeping them
behind the areola (dark circle around the nipple.)
- Line up the baby's nose with your
nipple. Touching the baby's upper lip with the nipple will cause the
baby to tip the head back slightly in order to reach the nipple, and
will encourage the baby to open wider. When baby opens as wide as a
yawn, hug the baby's body in closely. Coming to the breast with a slightly
tipped head helps ensure that the baby's chin and lower jaw will touch
the breast first. A slightly tipped-back head (slightly hyper-extension)
presses the chin into the breast. Leading With the chin helps position
the jaw closure over the breast, not on the sensitive nipple tissue.
- The tilt of the head ensures that
the baby's nose will be slightly backed away, making breathing easy.
- The baby will naturally pull away
from the breast if uncomfortable, allowing the mother to make necessary
adjustments. If there is any nipple pain, use your index finger to gently
pull down on the baby's chin to help baby open a little wider.
- Make sure that baby's lips are flanged
outwards, and that baby has a good mouthful of breast tissue. Some mothers
have very large areola and it is not necessary, or possible for their
babies to take in the entire aerial during breastfeeding. In general,
it is more important to try to cover a larger portion of the areola
with the lower jaw since this will prevent the baby from closing the
jaw on the sensitive nipple shaft.
- As your baby latches on and milk
begins to flow, look for a rhythmic suck-swallow-breathe pattern as
baby, drinks. The baby's lower jaw will open wide, pause, then close.
You should hear sounds of swallowing.
- If you have pain during breastfeeding,
insert your finger into the corner of the baby's mouth, between the
gums, and gently break the suction. Latch baby on once again, paying
close attention to positioning. Your nipple should not look distorted
or pinched after feeding.
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