Once you are in a comfortable position, you are ready to offer your baby your breast. Babies often breastfeed better when they have skin-to skin contact with their mother. Many babies find the nipple easily, latch on to the breast right away, and seem to know what to do. Others need some help. Here are some ways to help your baby latch on: • Have your baby at the level of your nipple before you latch. Use pillows or a rolled blanket to adjust baby’s position. • Support your breast with your free hand using a C-hold. Your thumb is on top of your breast, and your fingers are underneath, well behind the areola (the darker skin around your nipples). • Encourage your baby’s mouth to open wide. To do this, lightly touch your baby’s lips with your nipple. Go from upper to lower lip and back again. • When your baby’s mouth is open wide like a yawn, draw the baby close. Your nipple should be centred upward in your baby’s mouth. To support a good latch and your posture, draw your baby to your breast. • As your baby latches on, draw your baby even closer to your breast. Baby’s mouth needs to cover a large part of the areola. Your baby’s chin should be tucked in closely to your breast. • Allow your baby to suckle at the first breast for as long as he or she wishes and then offer the second breast, if she is still hungry. Babies often will come off the breast on their own when they are no longer hungry or need to burp. If your baby takes only the nipple, gently break the suction and start again. Break the suction by placing your clean finger into the corner of baby’s mouth and pressing against your breast. If you allow your baby to suckle without first getting a good latch, two things may happen. One, your nipples may get sore. Two, your baby may not get enough milk. (Breastfeeding Basics). cdha.nshealth.ca/system/files/sites/127/documents/breastfeeding-basics.pdf
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 17:31:03 +0000
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