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Breastfeeding Basics
Breastfeeding doesn't come easily to all new moms.
Breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn't come naturally to all new mothers.
Most women envision nursing a newborn as a smooth, effortless experience,
with baby knowing how to signal to Mom that he's hungry and Mom executing
the perfect response.
In a few cases, the ideal of a relaxed, comfortable nursing mom and her
calm, satisfied nursing baby is a reality soon after birth. But for most
mothers, breastfeeding requires a period of learning. Expect a few bumps
in the road along the way, and make sure you have a good support network
that can help you prevent and solve problems.
Close to 99 percent of women are capable of breastfeeding. As a new mother,
you'll achieve breastfeeding success if you feed your baby frequently,
use good positioning and latch-on, and are prepared for challenges if
they do crop up.
Keys to Success
Offer baby the breast frequently, about every one-and-a-half to three
hours during the day, and at least once or twice during the night. This
helps your baby establish a healthy sleep/feed pattern.
As a rule, a newborn should feed every one-and-a-half to three hours.
But newborns sometimes "cluster feed," or eat more frequently
than every one-and-a-half hours. Newborns may cluster feed in the early
evening in preparation for a four- to five-hour stretch of sleep at night.
In a 24-hour period, a one four- to five-hour stretch of sleep without
food is fine. But a sleep/feed pattern that allows for repeated long periods
without nursing may result in baby awakening so weak or frantic from hunger
that he may not be able to focus enough to latch onto your breast properly.
Newborns often rely on their mom to help them establish an appropriate
sleep/feed cycle in the first days.
Take advantage of your baby's light-sleep phases. If you notice your baby
is stirring, making sucking movements, or moving his eyes around under
his eyelids while sleeping, this is a good time to encourage him to awaken
and feed.
Also, don't introduce a pacifier or bottle until breastfeeding is well
established (usually after about four to six weeks) as this may interfere
with latch-on by causing other nursing problems. If you need to supplement
breastfeeding, contact a nursing expert.
Latching On
In order to effectively nurse, your baby must "latch on" to
your breast properly. Tickle baby's lips with your nipple, make eye contact,
and say "open" as you open your mouth. Try gently but firmly
tugging on baby's chin. Baby is ready for a good latch-on when his mouth
is wide open and his tongue is down flat over his lower gums. Make sure
your baby gets a large mouthful of the breast, encircling most of the
areola. Improper latch-on can be painful for you and won't allow your
child to effectively nurse.
Breastfeeding
Positions
Check how you're holding your baby. Most new moms use the cradle hold,
but other holds, such as the football and cross-cradle, are easier for
latch-on.
Cradle hold: Rest baby on a pillow, his head in the crook of your elbow.
Using the C hold (four fingers under your breast, thumb on top), support
your breast with your other hand.
Cross-cradle hold: This is the cradle hold with hands reversed. If you
have baby in a right-handed cradle hold, for example, switch hands: Your
right hand will be holding your breast, while baby's head rests in your
left hand, your forearm along his back.
Football hold: Sit comfortably, with your back well supported, a pillow
at your side and partially covering your stomach. Rest baby on the pillow,
his bottom near your elbow and his back against your forearm. Use one
hand to hold his head and the other to support your breast with the C
hold.
Make sure your baby nurses on both breasts each feeding, and start with
the breast where your baby finished the last feeding. That way, both breasts
get emptied and stimulated evenly to produce the necessary amount of milk.
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