Steps to Breastfeeding Success

Positioning:

            Finding the best position for nursing will depend on what works best for both you and your baby as well as what is most comfortable.  It is recommended that you experiment with different breastfeeding positions so that you can find the best position to fit your needs. Start out by finding a comfortable position for you. Use pillows to support your arms and back. Position your baby so that the baby’s mouth and nose are directly in front of your nipple and so that the baby doesn’t have to turn towards your breast. Several common positions to try are:

Cradle

This is one of the most common positions for breastfeeding. Baby is positioned with the head in the nook of the elbow and laid across the lap. Baby should be positioned with the body toward the breast. Using a pillow to support the baby or your elbow will make this position more comfortable.

Cross Cradle

This position is similar to the cradle hold. Instead of positioning baby’s head in the inside of your elbow, use the opposite hand to support the baby’s head and guide the infant to your breast. Use the other hand to support your breast making a C with your fingers around your nipple.

Side Lying

This position is useful at night or when you are tired. While lying on your side, place the infant against your body so that the baby is lying on its side even with your breast. Use one arm and hand to support the baby and the other to support your breast. This position is useful for mothers who have had a C-section to prevent putting pressure on the incision.

Football Hold

Sitting in an upright position, turn the baby facing up toward your breast. Use one hand to support the baby’s neck and guide the baby to your breast. The other hand can be used to support the breast. This position is also useful for mom’s who have had a C-section or mothers who are breastfeeding multiples.

Rooting

New babies have many reflexes that are natural and common at birth. One of these is called the rooting reflex and it is essential to breastfeeding. You stimulate the rooting reflex when you rub your nipple along your baby’s bottom lip to encourage the baby’s mouth to open wide.

Latch On

Position the fingers in a U or C shape around the nipple. Guide the breast close to baby’s mouth. You can tickle the baby’s bottom lip with the nipple or bring the baby’s chin into contact with the breast. This action should stimulate the infant to open wide like a big yawn. This is your signal to place the entire nipple in the infant’s mouth. Make sure at least ½ of breast around the nipple is in your baby’s mouth.

    Signs of a good latch:

      Baby’s lips are turned out like fish lips

      You hear sucking and swallowing

      Ears or temple will wiggle

      You feel tugging at your breast, but not burning or pain

   Knowing when to feed your baby

Generally breastfed babies will eat every 2-4 hours. There are visual cues to look for so that you can know when your baby is hungry. Babies who are ready to breastfeed generally exhibit these signs and symptoms:

Signs of Hunger:

EARLIEST

Wiggling around, moving the arms and legs

Rooting (sucking on fingers, licking, turning head to the side)

LATER

Fussiness or making squeaky noises

Restless, intermittent crying

LATEST

Full crying, screaming, infant becomes red

Breaking the Suction
Babies will usually stop automatically when he or she is satisfied and has gotten enough breast milk. Occasionally if breastfeeding is uncomfortable or you need to reposition baby you may need to break the seal between baby’s mouth and your breast. To release the suction place one finger in between your baby’s mouth against the gums and your nipple to break the seal.