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What to do of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding should be started as soon as possible after birth when the baby is particularly receptive. Newborns usually get hungry every 2-3 hours, but as babies grow and take more milk they often need less frequent feeding - the main thing is to feed them when they’re hungry and offer them a feed if you think they want one. The best way to produce more milk is to feed your baby more often. The more you feed your baby the more milk you will make. Make sure you get plenty of rest and eat well.

Positioning and attachment

• Make sure you are sitting comfortably, with your back straight and supported.
• Lay your baby on its side with its body across your stomach. Make sure your baby is well supported, using a pillow if necessary, so that it can come up to the breast from below. Hold you baby behind its neck and shoulder.
• If you need to support your breast, place your fingers flat on your ribcage, where the breast and ribs meet, with your thumb uppermost. Remember to keep your breast still - do not move your breast towards the baby’s mouth.
• The baby’s nose should be level with the nipple, to encourage a slight tilting of the chin for optimum swallowing. The chin and lower jaw should reach the breast first. Move the baby towards the breast so that its mouth touches the nipple and encourages the mouth to open wide.
• The nipple should not be pulled out of shape in any way as it goes into the baby’s open mouth.
• Once the tongue has come forward, aim your baby’s bottom lip as far away as possible from the base of the nipple. This helps the baby to scoop in as much breast as possible when its mouth is open.
• The whole nipple and much of the areola (darker tissue surrounding the nipple) should be in the baby’s mouth. This will allow the jaws to pump the store of milk behind the nipple.
• The baby’s lips should be curled back so that it is sucking on the breast rather than chewing the nipple. A correct latch (feeding position) will provide the baby with a good flow of milk, and also prevents the nipples from becoming sore.
• Breastfeeding may feel uncomfortable at first, but this usually eases as the feed continues, and should cease altogether after a few weeks. If you think your baby’s attachment may be incorrect, use the tip of your little finger to break the seal between lip and nipple, and then re-position. An initial short burst of sucking should give way to strong, steady jaw movements with no sound other than swallowing.

In order to ensure that both breasts are used roughly equally, most mothers either offer both breasts at each feed, or switch mid-feed. Starting each new feed on alternate breasts can be an easy way to make sure they both get used. One breast can be offered until the baby discontinues feeding, and then the feed topped-up with milk from the other breast.

Some babies may need help in bringing up wind after a feed. To relieve the discomfort, gently rub the baby’s back whilst holding it along your forearm, upright against your chest, sitting on your lap, or lying face down on your lap.

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