Published: 04/08/2010 by Milk Matters

LATCHING

Most important is a good latch and position.
A good latch will ensure:
* That the your nipples do not become sore or cracked
* Your baby gets is as much breastmilk as he wants at each feed
* Your breastmilk supply builds up and is maintained
* Do not be concerned if you find latching and positioning difficult to master. If after following the tips given below, your positioning and latching is still not satisfactory, then do not delay in getting expert help from someone such as a lactation consultant. (See Useful Contacts page)

POSITIONING

Whether lying down or sitting, get comfortable with your back well supported.
* All positions require you to support your baby's neck and shoulders.
* Keep his body close to yours and
* His knees, hips, tummy and nose facing you.
* Position him so that his lower lip or nose is in line with your nipple
* NB The baby goes to the breast not the breast to the baby
* It is far easier to achieve when your baby is not wrapped in a blanket or even better, held skin to skin.

Here are some breastfeeding positions that may assist you:

* Mother lying on her side, supporting baby's neck & shoulders.
* Cross-hold, useful for learning to latch
* Baby's head resting on mother's for-arm.
* Tucked under mother's arms, feet facing towards the back. Ideal for twins and premature babies

A GOOD LATCH

Mature healthy babies know instinctively how to find the breast and to breastfeed when left skin to skin with their mothers. Most often we tend to hurry the process along.

* You and your baby need to be warm and comfortable.

* Some may need a little coaxing: Hold your baby on his side facing your breast while you support his neck and shoulders.

* Touching your mouth with the nipple will encourage him to turn his head towards your breast and open his mouth wide to take the breast i.e. latch.

* For correct latching, the nipple, together with a good part of the areola (dark skin around the nipple), should be drawn into your baby's mouth. Pain is an indication of an incorrect latch.

* Lips turned outwards, a strong jaw action and movement of the muscles above your baby's ear would indicate that your baby is latched and suckling well.

* When baby has had enough, he will fall asleep or release the nipple.

* However if you need to stop the feed sooner it is very important that the suction should be broken first: Insert a clean finger into the corner of his mouth between the gums and hold it there while releasing the nipple.

Don't allow your fingers to be in the way of where you want your baby to latch.
Note that the nipple is in line with the baby's upper lip rather than the middle of his mouth

COLOSTRUM

Colostrum is the perfect food for any newborn baby, premature or full term. Even when moms are not planning on breastfeeding, it is highly recommended that they offer their babies colostrum in the first few days.
Colostrum contains all the nutrients in perfect proportion for your baby as well as many protective immune factors otherwise lacking in newborn babies.
The nutrients in colostrum are so concentrated that your baby needs only around 5 ml every 2 hours, in the first 24 hours.

THE SLEEPY NEWBORN

Should your baby be very sleepy in the first few hours after birth, you could express a little of your colostrum onto a clean teaspoon and give it to your baby. All the while keeping your baby skin to skin.
Continue doing this often, every hour or two, depending on how much colostrum you are able to express, until your baby breastfeeds well.

YOUR NEWBORNS CUES

Learning to understand your newborn babys' cues allows you to respond to her needs, to feed her at an optimal time and not wait until she is crying before feeding her. Below is an example of how a newborn baby may behave on wakening.

* She tends to stretch then wriggle and squirm.

* If left alone she will become more restless then turn her head from side to side and put her fingers or fists into her mouth.

* If left alone for longer she begins to make little noises, which if ignored become louder and louder and develop into a full bellowed cry.

THE BEST TIME TO FEED YOUR BABY

* Is when she indicates to you that she is hungry by turning her head from side to side and putting her fingers or fists into her mouth.

* Leaving her to cry loudly may be too late, as she would need to be settled before you could feed her.

THE QUIET ALERT TIME

* The so called quiet alert time, when your baby has just woken or, after her feed when she is still awake but very calm, is a good time to massage, bath or just spend time communicating with your baby.

ESTABLISHING A GOOD MILK SUPPLY

* It is perfectly normal to have a only little milk or colostrum, as it is called, in the first few days.

* Your baby's tummy is only as big as a marble - 5 to 10 ml. For this reason your baby needs frequent feeds, around 10 or more, in the first day or two.

* This frequent stimulation results in an increased milk supply.

* By day 3 or 4 your breasts are likely to feel full and heavy.

* This settles down within a day or two and by 6 weeks the breasts feel quite soft again. You will always have enough if you allow your baby to feed as often as he wants and for as long as he wants.

* A good latch is always vitally important.

Indications That You Baby Is Feeding Well In The First Few Days

* She feeds well 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
* She sleeps well between feeds.
* You do not have painful nipples.
* She has at least 6 wet nappies a day.
* The urine is pale in colour and has a mild odour.
* She must have at least 4 dirty nappies a day.
* She comes off the breast in her own time when satisfied.

WINDING OR BURPING YOUR BABY

Burping or the lack thereof is of great concern to parents. The truth is that not all babies need to burp all the time. Why not spend no more that 5 minutes burping, if nothing happens, continue the feed or continue as though he has burped. You may get a lot more sleep that way.

INCLUDING DADS

* Dads may not be able to breastfeed but they can play a enormous role in supporting breastfeeding moms.

* Besides Kangarooing, dads are particularly good at winding babies and getting them to sleep.

* When your baby is around 6 weeks or more Dad could offer him a feed of expressed breastmilk once in a while so that you can catch a little extra sleep.

* Mothers are able to form close bonds with their babies and fathers often feel left out. Work hard at including him when it comes to caring for your baby. Remember he is trying his best, don't correct him when he tries to help. He will be far more willing to help next time if he were encouraged rather than discouraged.

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