How to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is an important element in the life of a newborn and his/her mother. Aside from satisfying the baby's hunger, it performs other critical functions such as enhancing the newborn's immunity, creating a bond between mother and her child, helping the new mother shed extra pounds gained during pregnancy and bringing her body back to the normal pre-pregnancy state. Correct techniques result in a long successful nursing phase. Read below to familiarize yourself with breastfeeding techniques and tips as well as to learn how to breastfeed:

Instructions

Being comfortable

1

Select a calming and happy location to feed your baby. Whether it is your bedroom, the baby's nursery, or a favorite spot in the house, try to feed in the same place so the baby gets used to the location and gets ready to nurse on seeing or reaching that spot.

2

Make yourself comfortable. Use pillows or cushions for support. Comfort is a key factor in defining the success of this phase.

3

Calm yourself and the baby. Singing or humming helps calm babies.

Holding the baby

4

Relax and choose a comfortable position either sitting or lying down.

5

Hold the baby comfortably. There are different positions in which to hold the baby.

6

Bring the baby to face you directly, with his/her chin touching your breast.

7

Make sure to sit straight while feeding the baby. This is necessary if you choose to nurse while sitting down. The baby should be positioned such that he/she can comfortably reach the breast.

8

Nursing the baby lying down is advisable, especially at night since it minimally disturbs the sleep.

Latching the baby

9

Cup the breast in your hand and tickle baby's lips with the nipple.

10

Bring the baby's mouth on to the breast when his/her mouth is wide open. Ensure that maximum part of the areola, dark part of the breast, and breast are in the baby's mouth. His/her lower lip should be curled out and the tongue rolled. Gentle sucking and swallowing sounds indicate a good latch.

11

Try again if the baby fails to latch correctly the first time. Correct latching prevents pain and soreness which ultimately leads to enjoyable nursing sessions.

12

Break the suction by inserting a finger from corner of the baby's mouth when he/she is done nursing on one breast, usually indicated by the empty breast feeling or the baby becoming sleepy. Typically it takes 10 to 15 minutes of nursing on each side.

13

Follow the same steps to nurse the baby on the other side.