How to Start Breastfeeding Your Newborn

Welcoming your new baby into the world is an exciting endeavor! Your life will be changed forever as this little person looks to you to have all his needs met. As a parent, you'll be faced with many decisions as you determine what is best for your new baby. One of the finest ways to start bonding with your newborn is to breastfeed him. Not only is it healthy, providing him the sustenance that nature intended, but you will build a togetherness that will last a lifetime.

Instructions

Preparing for Breastfeeding

1

Have a seat in a comfortable chair. You should pick one with arms to help offer support while you hold your baby. You can hold her as you find a place to sit, or you can choose to sit first and then have someone hand her to you.

2

Determine which side you'll want to have her start breastfeeding from first. If you're right-handed, you'll probably want to start on the right side. So for the sake of simplicity, we'll start here. The pillow should be then be placed under your right arm.

3

Place your newborn in your arms so that her head rests in the bend of your right elbow. The rest of her body will relax across her stomach. At this point in time, she is facing up toward the ceiling.

4

Lift (or unbutton or pull down) your shirt so that your right breast is showing and is available to your baby for suckling. If you're wearing a nursing bra, unsnap the cup to help with ease of access. If you're wearing a traditional bra, it might need to be removed if it's too constrictive.

5

With your right breast now exposed, turn your newborn toward you. She'll no longer be facing up. Use your right arm to roll her gently. When you have completed this step, her face will be facing your breast, and the rest of her body will have turned also to face your body.

Latching On

6

Hold your right breast with your left hand. Moving very gently, guide your nipple toward your newborn's mouth. Slowly rub his mouth with it, and instinctively he'll start to root--meaning, he will begin to open his mouth to begin to feed.

7

Using a two-part motion, guide as much of your nipple into his mouth as you can while using your left hand, and bring him closer to your breast using your right arm. It sounds complicated, but it's quite simple. You're just pulling him in toward you as you prepare to feed him.

8

To ensure a proper latch, use your left hand to press down on your baby's chin. This will cause his lower lip to open or invert. Inverting his lip serves two purposes: it opens his mouth as wide as possible; and enables you to get as much of your nipple into his mouth as you can. You can tell he's latched properly when most or all of your areola is in his mouth. That way the nipple is as far back in his mouth as possible, lessening any pain for you, and also allowing the maximum amount of milk to be suckled.

9

Drink plenty of liquids while he nurses. With him successfully latched on, you can sit, relax and enjoy some water. Nursing mothers require a higher fluid intake than others. It's crucial for milk production, so ensure that you're drinking enough each day.

10

Switch sides after about 15 minutes or so. Your newborn is getting colostrum at first while waiting for your milk to come in. Frequent nursing sessions on both sides will ensure that your milk comes in faster.

11

Burp him twice each time he nurses--once when he switches sides and again when he is finished. Being stringent about burping will ensure that you will cut down on the amount of gas that accumulates in his little tummy.