The Breast Start
You’ve heard that breast is best: Nursing provides the ideal nutrition for your baby, can help the two of you bond and has health benefits for you to boot. Here are some tips to help you and bubs get off to a good start.
Tell your LMC
Let your midwife obstetrician know ahead of time that you plan to breastfeed. That way, if they are not able to help you in this area, they can provide you with details of a lactatian consultant or another midwife that can help you with breastfeeding soley.
Try different techniques
Before leaving the hospital or Birthcare, experiment with several breastfeeding positions. Sometimes, the photographs you may have seen of a nursing mother may not suit you. The midwives can show you various positions that you can try. Also, using more than one position can help prevent nipple soreness and clogged milk ducts, since each position drains the breast differently.
Sit Up!
When sitting, keep you back straight but relaxed as you breastfeed. You newborn may find it more difficult to latch on properly if you’re leaning forward or back. Laying baby on a breast feeding pillow on your lap can help as well as placing pillows behind your back for support. Sitting up straight prevents back pain.
Hang on – let’s latch on!
The key to a good latch-on is having your infant take enough of the breast (including the areola) into his mouth. Tickle your baby’s lower lip with your nipple to cause him to open his mouth.
Keep track of feedings
While you won’t be able to measure exactly how much breast milk your baby gets, there are other ways to tell whether he’s getting enough to eat. He should nurse at least eight to 12 times a day and seem satisfied for a few hours between feedings. Wet and pooey nappies are a good sign that all is well with their feeding.