Breast feeding is the healthiest way to feed you new born child, breastfeeding can even be done if you are an adopted parent.
To begin on Breastfeeding, The first things to know is :
Positioning : Use pillows for support
Cradle hold : Have baby turned toward you with the head in the crook of your arm. Baby's face, abdomen and knees should all be towards you. Baby should be level. this is very important for you and your baby before beginning to latch on. Another way you could hold your baby is the
Football hold :
Have baby at your side, clutched next to you with baby's entire body turned in, toward you. Baby's feet should not touch back of chair/bed. Hold the base of baby's head, supporting the neck and shoulders. Your fingers should be below baby's ears. Now you can begin prop. With the opposite hand, hold your breast with all your fingers under the breast and your thumb on top. The entire hand should be behind the areola ( dark portion of breast, behind the nipple ). You will need to hold your breast while feeding.
Offering the Breast/Stimulate Rooting Reflex :
Move your breast gently, up and down. Keep "tickling" baby's lips with your nipple until the baby's mouth opens wide (like a big Ah . . . Or like a baby bird). Latching-on: Center your nipple to baby's open mouth and pull baby in close. (This can be done by turning your wrist inward, rolling baby to the breast) Do this very quickly as one motion.
Baby's mouth should cover most of the areola, not just the nipple. Do not push into your breast to clear a space for baby's nose. The tip of baby's nose should touch your breast. If baby's nose is not visible, raise baby's bottom half to a more level position or lift up on your breast slightly. Breastfeeding. As the baby nurses, you should feel a pulling or tugging sensation. If it pinches or hurts, break the latch and begin again.
When suckling and swallowing slows or stops, burp the baby and offer the opposite breast.
Baby may not take both breasts at each feeding. Baby needs a minimum of 10 minutes of work per feeding.
Take the baby off the breast by inserting your finger between baby's gums and pulling downward to break the suction.
- Feed baby immediately upon awakening.
- Don't allow baby to become "frantic."
- Keep pre-feeding stimulation to a minimum.
Now you have begun breastfeeding, congratulations. There is still a few simple instructions to keep track of. Count number of wet diapers and stools daily. Good output of both stool and urine shows good milk intake.
By 5 days of age the entirely breastfed baby should have a minimum of 6 to 8 wet diapers and several yellow stools in a 24 hour period. Stools will become less frequent around 6 weeks of age but baby should continue to have 6 to 8 wets per day.
- Eat 3 meals and 2 small snacks per day
- Drink to thirst. Have something to drink at each feeding.
- Rest frequently, don't over do.
- Continue to take your prenatal vitamins for as long as you are nursing.
- Watch for feeding cues
- Nurse baby every 2 or 3 hours during the day.
- Wake baby every 3 or 4 hours at night to nurse.
To encourage better night sleeping : wake the baby more often during the day.
Once you are sure that baby will wake for feedings when hungry (about 2 or 3 weeks of age) baby may sleep a six hour stretch at night, (example : 12 midnight to 6 am), if baby self wakes, it's OK to nurse.
Avoid bottles
Avoid pacifiers. These are the basic Breastfeeding instructions, If you feel intense pain or any pain while breastfeeding, Go to a Doctor. Breastfeeding is the best.
