How to Breastfeed

How to Breastfeed

You know how good breastfeeding is for you and your baby, The following steps explain the correct way to position your baby at the breast (using the cradle hold) and help him latch on to ensure that he sucks well and gets plenty of milk.

Position yourself properly

1.        Sit up in bed, in a comfortable armchair, or in a rocking chair. 
2.     Pillows are a must: Use them behind your back, under your elbow, and on your lap to support the baby. 
3.    Use pillows under your knees if you are sitting up in bed.

Baby should be lying on his side with his whole body facing you.

Encourage Baby to latch on properly

If Baby turns his head away, gently stroke his cheek on the side nearest you. The rooting reflex will make him turn his head toward you.

  ►Encourage the baby to open his mouth wide by moving him toward and away from the breast, touching his lips lightly and repeating until Baby opens wide.

    ►Baby's mouth should be open really wide, as he latches on.

  ►Talk to him and encourage him to open his mouth

Encourage Baby to suck effectively

In order to suck effectively, Baby must take a large portion of your areola into his mouth along with the nipple.

Let Baby finish at one breast, and then offer the other

In the early days of breastfeeding, it is a good idea to offer both breasts at each feeding. If the baby is latched on and positioned well, there is no reason to limit a feeding.

Once Baby is nursing actively, let him nurse from the first breast until he comes off on his own, either by letting go or by falling asleep, and then offer the second breast. Sometimes he will take the other breast, and sometimes he will not, which is fine. If a baby falls asleep or stops nursing actively within a few minutes, he may need to be latched on again and encouraged to continue.