Babywearing

Breastfeeding Basics

By naturalparenting ⋅  Email ⋅  Print ⋅

by Natalie Williams
Breastfeeding is a fabulous time for moms to bond with their newborn babies while giving them vital nutrients needed for their growth. Learning how to breastfeed your baby before giving birth will help you ease into your new nursing role as quickly and effortlessly as possible.

Here’s a list of breastfeeding aids a that have helped countless nursing women:

– A baby sling for hands-free support of your baby while you are nursing as well as easy access whenever your baby needs to nurse. A sling also allows you to nurse in public discreetly.

– Nursing tops will offer you with a convenient way to breastfeed your baby with their strategically placed flaps so that you may breastfeed without exposing too much of your breasts.

– Nursing bras to provide improved support for your bigger breast as your old bras will no longer fit securely.

- Breast pads in your bra to keep your breasts dry and prevent unwanted leaks.

- A bottle of Lansinoh Lanolin lotion to help you reduce nipple pains and heal sore or cracked nipples.

How Should I Hold My Baby During Breastfeeding
The cradle position is by far the most common breastfeeding position. Other positions include the tailor, cross-cradle (transverse), lying down, clutch (football) positions but I cannot cover all of them in this article. The cradle hold can be done in a sitting position on a chair or bed. You may put a normal pillow or nursing pillow on your lap to add more comfort. Straighten your back and ensure there is sufficient support for your arms and back because you will be in this position for quite a while. Place your baby on your lap or pillow in such a way that your bellies touch each other. Decide which nipple you want to start nursing from and rest your baby’s head on the corresponding elbow bend and adjust his/her position so that the mouth is directly in front of your nipple’s position. Use one of your hands to support your baby’s head and spine while your other hand may be used to hold onto your breast if necessary.

How To Get A Good Latch On
The proper latching on of your baby will let you result in a wonderful nursing experience. Conversely, an bad latch on will cause you a lot of pain and result in insufficient milk to your baby. Breastfeeding should not hurt but there may be slight discomfort at the beginning. Hold your breast with one hand and brush your nipple on your baby’s lips to encourage him/her to open wide. Bring your baby towards your nipple and make sure he/she has a big portion of the areola in his/her mouth. Detach your baby from your breast if you feel he/she has not latched on securely and repeat the steps above until you get a proper latch on.

Frequency and Duration Of Breastfeeding
Every newborn baby needs to be breast fed at a minimum of every 2 hours during the day and every 3 hours at night, or about 8 to 12 feedings per 24 hours. It is imperative that you ensure your baby does not go beyond 3 hours without breastfeeding. Be alert for any baby hunger signs like rooting, sucking, mouthing or increased activity in between feedings to keep your baby well fed. Each nursing session should last about 10 to 15 minutes per breast or whatever it takes for your baby to be full. You should start breastfeeding as early as possible after the birth of your child and provide him/her with an exclusive breastfeeding diet for a minimum of 6 months. Children may continue to breastfeed until 2 years of age or more.

About the Author:
Please visit Natalie Williams’s web site at Pregnancy101.net to get more breastfeeding how-to’s, pregnancy tips and lots lots more.

Sheryl’s comment:
First of all, if you are a first time mom or are having any difficulty at all, do not hesitate to see a lactation consultant (as soon as possible after birth). I had one in the hospital where I gave birth and she was the only good thing that came of the whole horrible hospital birth experience. I am so grateful that she worked with me and my daughter’s latch immediately after birth. I doubt we would have had the breastfeeding success we did if it were not for her.

Secondly, if you wear your baby during the day, sleep with your baby at night and nurse on demand, you wont have any of the engorgement, leaking or soreness issues that mother’s often have when they try to time feedings (or you will minimize your discomfort tremendously). Obviously this method of attachment parenting is only possibly for stay at home mothers or until you have to go back to work but do it as long as you can, including nights and weekends when you are home and you will have a content, well fed baby and much happier breasts.

Buy the Book: Breastfeeding Made Simple
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/wiccked/46297427/

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