Advice for Successful Breastfeeding

Once you have established breastfeeding there is no other easier or better way of feeding your baby. During breastfeeding an intense bonding and closeness is felt which enhances your baby’s feelings of security. Getting started can be an anxious time for new mothers but as you see your baby thrive you will relax and enjoy it. Learn as much as you can whilst you are pregnant. There are breastfeeding classes, books, blogs and DVDs from which you can learn the fundamentals such as milk production and common problems that you can attempt to avoid before your baby is born. Involve your partner as he can help remember the knowledge you have learned and discover ways that he can bond with your baby and support the breastfeeding process. Positioning and Attachment Your baby’s instincts are naturally programmed to try and get as comfortably positioned in order to reach and latch on to your nipples but it is not always smooth sailing and difficulties can arise. Firstly, get yourself comfortable and having your skin touch your baby’s skin can be beneficial to begin with. Initially, it will probably be easier to relax in your bed with your little one on top of you. Your baby will naturally want to move closer to your breast to find the nipple and you can help facilitate this by giving his feet something to push against. If you have your knees up then he could push against your leg and if you have had a caesarean birth then place him across you with his legs to the side. If you find that your baby is not nuzzling towards your breast then touch your nipple onto his top lip and he should then lift his chin and open his mouth. It does not help to hold his head as he needs to manoeuvre his own head to get comfortable to latch on. Even newborn babies can move their heads to latch on to the nipple. Wait for your baby to open his mouth wide like he would if he was yawning so that he can take in both your nipple and plenty of breast. When his jaw drops and his mouth is fully open bring him closer to you so that he gets a proper mouthful of breast. Your nipple should then go into the top of his mouth, not the middle and this way he should be able to feed sufficiently. It can take some practice and several attempts to attach your baby and get him feeding correctly so that both your baby and you are comfortable. Your nipple should be at the back of your baby’s mouth and you can always gently support your breast with the flat of your hand from underneath. Do not squeeze the delicate breast tissue as this can cause a blocked milk duct and bruising. If one position does not work for you then try another. When you have successfully achieved good attachment, you should see your baby tucked in as close to you as possible, his chin against your breast and not tucked down so his head should be slightly tipped back, his mouth should be open wide, you should see his jaw making deep movements, his nose should not be pressed against your breast and if part of your areola is still visible then there should be more seen above his top lip than below his bottom lip. By Eirian Hallinan