Breastfeeding is important to nourish your baby, both emotionally and physically. It is not always easy to get a baby to feed, so consult your doctor, midwife or experienced family member on the correct ways to get this started. Follow the steps below to help build your relationship with your child while keeping them fit and healthy.
– Make sure you breastfeed your baby as much as possible; be available any time the baby needs to feed. This is usually around 8-9 times a day.
– If the baby sleeps for more than three hours, wake them up to breastfeed.
– Keep breastfeeding until one breast is empty, and then switch to the other one.
– You should exclusively give your baby breastmilk until they are 6 months old.
There are a few positions to comfortably get your baby breastfeeding so try to find which one suits you and your baby best. Remember to use pillows and blankets to find the position that works.
– The Cradle Hold: Lay your baby lengthwise across your belly, using one hand to support their head and the other to support their bottom.
– The Lay Down Hold: Lay the baby down next to you in bed, with you lying on your right side, them on their left. Their mouth should be at the same height as your nipples, or slightly below. Use your free hand to help your baby find your nipple while cradling them with your other arm.
– The Football Hold: Place your baby beside you, face up and lengthwise. Lay them along your arm and guide their head towards your nipple.
Once you’ve found a position that is comfortable for you and your baby the next step is to get them to latch. This can be difficult in some situations as all babies and body types are different, so consult your doctor or midwife if you are experiencing any problems.
– Position the baby on their side so they are facing you.
– Prop baby up with a pillow or blanket if needed, then hold them to your breast.
– Place your thumb and fingers around your areola.
– Tilt your baby’s head back gently and tickle their lips with your nipple until they open their mouth wide.
– Help the baby take the breast into their mouth by placing the lower jaw on first, below the nipple.
– Then tilt their head forward, placing the upper jaw firmly onto the breast.
– Make sure the baby is taking the entire nipple and about 3-4cm of the areola/breast into their mouth.
It may take some time for the milk to come, so be persistent and patient. And remember; always wash your hands with soap before touching the baby, after going to the bathroom and after changing your baby’s diaper.