Nine Top Tips For Breastfeeding Your Baby

Breast feeding is one of the most natural things in the whole world, and it feels great when you and your baby get the hang of it. I struggled to breast feed my daughter, due having a emergency c-section. Also she was 4 weeks premature and had a little mouth. The first two days she really wasn’t interested in breast feeding and was cup fed expressed breast milk or and formula milk. We got there in the end, though, and did very well. Here are my best tips for successful breast feeding.

1. The best thing I ever did before I had Emily was to go to a breast feeding workshop. They teach you how to deal with things that might cause problems while you get breastfeeding established.
2. Don’t worry if it seems to take time to get it right. A long and stressful birth, a c-section, and other factors might cause your baby to not want to breast feed straight away. Other babies will take to it immediately. It’s a natural thing to do, but it takes time for you and your baby to learn this new skill.
3. If you want to express so your partner can feed the baby, it’s recommended that you wait 6 to 8 weeks before giving your baby a bottle. This is due to nipple confusion. It’s easier for a baby to get milk from a bottle than his or her mother’s breast, so it’s better to start the baby on the breast first.
4. Remember that you can express ahead of time and store breast milk in the freezer for when it is needed. See my article Top Ten Tips for Expressing Breast Milk for more information on breast milk storage.
5. To position your baby for feeding, place the baby on your lap with your baby’s head at the breast you intend to feed from. If your baby’s mouth is level with your nipple then you shouldn’t need a pillow. If you need a pillow find one that allows your nipple and baby’s mouth to be level with one another. Make sure your baby is lying on his or her side and is straight. If your baby is feeding form your left breast, for example, use your right arm up your baby’s back to support the head.
6. To begin feeding, manually express a little breast milk first. Having a wet nipple area can help keep your nipples from becoming sore. Then place you thumb at the top of your areola and your second figure underneath your areola. Doing this helps to form your breast better for your baby get a better mouthful. Now your baby’s nose should be directly across from your nipple. Keep expressing a little milk to interest your baby to feed. When your baby opens his or her mouth wide, quickly but gently move your baby’s head towards nipple. Don’t be forceful, it could put the baby off. A little discomfort is normal to start with, but feeding should not be painful. If it is, your baby is not latched on properly. Take your baby off and try again.
7. To break your baby’s latch gently side your small finger into your baby’s mouth to break the suction. If you do not break suction it will really hurt, and it’s very unlikely that your baby will come off.
8. If you start feeding from your left breast, try to swap to the right the breast at some time during the feed. If you start with your right breast at the next feed doing this will allow both breasts to be empty, saving them from becoming engorged.
9. First time mum’s, while you’re still in hospital, call on help when you need to feed. It’s always worth getting someone to check that you’re doing this right until you feel confident that you can do it right. Going home when there is something not right could cause your baby to feed improperly and lose weight.

Learning a new skill immediately after going through childbirth can be stressful. Remember to stay calm. It’s worth it in the end, because you’ll know you’re giving your baby the best start in life.

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