Do you want to know how to breastfeed your baby correctly to avoid discomfort and enjoy the moment with peace of mind? If you are a first-time mother and still have questions about the subject, then this post is for you!
Even though it may seem like a simple act, it is necessary to take some precautions when breastfeeding . This provides effective breastfeeding for the baby and comfort for the mother, avoiding pain and injuries.
With this in mind, we have put together tips on how to breastfeed correctly that will help with your newborn, creating a more pleasurable experience. Check them out below!
The importance of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not just bonding time for mother and child . It constitutes an integral part of baby health development in the initial months of life since, within the breast milk, are all the nutrients necessary for growth.
As such, WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding should be done until six months of age. Thereafter, complementary foods are introduced while babies start experimenting with various foods like fruits, vegetables, and natural juices.
Breastfeeding benefits women also The risk of breast cancer is lower
Epidemiological evidence for reduction in the incidence of diabetes and ovarian cancer in breastfeeding women.
Knowing how to breastfeed would prevent most setbacks that often happen in the early stages of breastfeeding. For example, if a baby is not hurting a mother’s breast or causing trouble sucking properly, proper guidance could be given for the right technique.
How to breastfeed correctly
It is best when the baby is born to have a nurse assist her on how to latch correctly while giving breast milk. Although she receives instructions and also some supervision, this too is learning for the baby, and it may take a few days for everything to settle down.
Today, our main goal is to help you on this journey of how to breastfeed your baby correctly and make everything easier and more peaceful. That’s why we’ve put together a guide on the breastfeeding cycle.
Choose a comfortable place
It’s time for feeding! Choose a comfortable and quiet place, after all, you’ll be spending a lot of time in the same position. It’s worth having an armchair with support for both your back and the arm where the baby is lying.
The breastfeeding pillow also makes this day-to-day easier. In addition to providing comfort for the mother, who can rest her arms on the pillow without straining, it provides safety for the baby, as it forms a protective barrier on the lap.
The correct position of the baby
It is the baby that goes to the breast in breastfeeding and not the other way. The tummy of the baby should lie face down towards the mother’s tummy. In a normal position, the baby’s head and body should be aligned while supported in the same direction.
This position, besides being more comfortable for the baby, prevents choking during breastfeeding. Now, here the use of a breastfeeding pillow comes very handy because it provides the right height between the lap and the breast so that mother’s body has well accommodations.
Breastfeeding postures are variable and need to cater to the mother’s needs. You may sometimes nurse in bed during the early morning hours when you prefer more sleep. The baby can be placed in a sitting position but then you should always make sure to keep the head position ideal for the baby as well as your comfort.
Proper grasp:
One of the common questions raised about proper breastfeeding is whether the baby is at the right placement in the mouth and if he can actually suckle. That is very normal, especially with newborns, who generally need a day or two to get the hang of latching on.
Here, the mother has to confirm that the baby is able to hold the whole areola of the breast and not the nipples. In case this is not so, then the baby will not be able to express the milk, and may even worsen the scenario by hurting the breast.
To help, drip a few drops of milk onto the areola, which will make the baby open the “wide mouth” needed to breastfeed properly. Another tip is to pull the baby’s chin down slightly when latching on.
Make sure that the baby has a “fish mouth”, that is, with the lower lip slightly folded. This way, you can know if the baby is able to extract the milk.
Did the baby get enough milk?
Another common question about breastfeeding correctly is whether the baby has had enough. In the first few months, the baby may need the breast not only to nourish himself but also to calm himself, so don’t worry too much about quantity.
This aside, some possible references do exist. For example, you might find that the breast has shrunk in size if the baby is milking well, and you can even offer the other one. If not sure, then you have to consult your pediatrician. You have to monitor the weight gain of the baby as well.
Extra care during breastfeeding
If the initial difficulty persists, seek specialized help from nurses, breastfeeding consultants and regional milk banks. During the adaptation period , the breast may crack and an alternative to alleviate this issue is laser treatments and vitamin E ampoules.
Do not take any medicine without discussing it first with your doctor, since many of these substances pass to your baby via your milk. Try to live a healthy life, avoid alcohol drinks, have a balanced diet, and participate in light physical activities.