Breastfeeding can be one of the most wonderful, fulfilling relationships you can have with your child, aside from all the numerous and well documented health benefits. It can also be very difficult to achieve success with and a great many women who really want to breastfeed fail to get past the first couple of months because they just don’t get the help they need.

Just as women have lost touch with natural birthing, we’ve lost touch with breastfeeding as well. Getting the right help which includes accurate, factual advice, is also very hit and miss. If you’re having problems my experiences can help.

As an Active Birth teacher and Associate of the Active Birth Centre, my interest in women and children extends naturally into the area of breastfeeding. I am not a qualified breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant. I offer my help to you as someone who breastfed two children for two years each. My first child was very difficult and I had severe problems for weeks and weeks. My second child was a breeze. I know what is correct for breastfeeding and what is not otherwise I wouldn’t have continued to feed each child until they were two. It was fantastic to know that every feed was giving the precise nutrition, health benefits and immunity that a human baby needs, but the wonderful, nurturing, peaceful times of feeding my children is a memory I look back on as one of the most loving and nurturing times of my entire life. I would hate to think that someone cannot go on with feeding when they really want to, just for the absence of good sound advice – so if you do ever experience problems please call me or email me and I’ll help in whatever way I can.

In the absence of a one to one visit to help you, I also have a breastfeeding book (an e-book) which is available for purchase as well.
69 Colindale Street Monkston Park Milton Keynes Bucks MK10 9PX
Telephone: 07970 549199
Email: prepareforbirth@yahoo.co.uk Website: prepareforbirth.com (not yet active)
By Isobel Boyes

Related posts:

1. Nine Top Tips For Breastfeeding Your Baby
2. The Three Best Breastfeeding Positions
3. Breastfeeding Advice For New Mothers

Because some babies like to feed differently than others, and because you’ll want both your baby and yourself to be comfortable in different surroundings and situations, there are three best breastfeeding positions that I recommend.

The Cradle position

You may or may not need pillows for the Cradle position. First, place your 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 should not need to use a pillow. If you need a pillow find one that allows your nipple and baby’s mouth to be level with one another.

Once you feel that you have the right height you can try this position. If you’re feeding off your left breast, place your right arm up your baby’s back and support your baby’s head. With your left hand express a little bit of breast milk. It may help to a massage your breast first. Also have a wet nipple area can help to save your nipples getting sore.

Then place your thumb at the top of your areola and your second figure underneath your areola. Think of it as 6 o’clock on a clock face. Big hand at the 12 and small hand at the 6. Doing this helps to form your breast better for your baby get a better mouthful of your breast. Now your baby’s nose should be directly across from your nipple. Keep expressing a little breast 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. Do not be forceful; it could put your baby off.

The Rugby (or “Football”) position.

Some babies prefer to feed from one side. The best way to deal with this is to use the Ruby position (sometimes called the “Football” position). For example, say your baby likes to only feed on your right side and will not feed from the left breast. Place a pillows (more than one if you need to) on your left side under your arm. Again, check the level of your nipple and your baby’s mouth as we discussed above.

Place your baby on the pillows and lie him or her on their side. Check where your breast is in relation to where your baby is lying. If you have to maneuver your breast to your baby then you will struggle to feed comfortably. This is where a breastfeeding pillow can come in handy, or an arrangement of pillows on your lap; whatever works for you to position your baby properly.

Do the same thing as described in the Cradle position, but with the baby on your left side, using your left arm to support your baby’s body and head. Form your breast as described in the Cradle position. This position makes your baby feel like he or she is feeding off your right breast instead of your left.

The lying down position

This position is easy on both sides, and is similar to the other positions. We are going to try feeding off our right side this time. So we are lying on our right side with your baby lying on his or her side so facing you. Adjust your position until your baby is lying where he or she can best reach your breast. Support you baby’s body and head with your right arm. Use your left hand to form your right breast. As with the other two positions, wait until your baby has a wide mouth before offering your breast.

It won’t take long

Before you know it, you’ll be used to using the position or positions that are most comfortable for you and your baby, and you won’t even have to think about what you’re doing. It’ll come naturally!

Related posts:

1. Nine Top Tips For Breastfeeding Your Baby
2. Breastfeeding Help
3. Breastfeeding Advice For New Mothers

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.

Related posts:

1. The Three Best Breastfeeding Positions
2. Top Ten Tips for Expressing Breast Milk
3. Breastfeeding Advice For New Mothers