MOMMY’S GUIDE TO BREASTFEEDING

The biggest anticipation for every new mom is feeding her just born baby. Most of us are aware that breastfeeding is the optimal way of feeding the infant. Yet many mothers choose not to breastfeed for various reasons, including embarrassment, lack of knowledge, belief that formula milk is the same as breast milk and myths about “ease” of formula milk over breastfeeding. Although breastfeeding is nature’s way of providing the infant with nutrition, it is a skill that takes time and practice. A lot of factors determine successful feeding like a good latch, holding position, attachment, etc.

Here’s a complete guide to help you sail through this journey of breastfeeding.

INITIATING BREASTFEEDING:

Breastfeeding can begin within a few hours post-delivery, by allowing the baby to rest or nurse, skin to skin, on the mother’s chest. This is a good time as most babies are alert and interested in nursing. However, there is no evidence that one cannot breastfeed if the infant cannot nurse within this time period.

In some situations, the infant and mother must be separated for several hours or even days after delivery. Pumping the breasts and then storing the milk for use is recommended in such cases to stimulate the production of breast milk; this can be started as soon as possible, optimally within the first six hours after delivery.

POSITIONING:

A mother may use one of several positions to hold her baby while breastfeeding. There is no one “best” position for all; the best position is one that is comfortable for the mother and allows the baby to latch-on, suckle, and swallow easily. A mother may have several preferred positions depending upon the baby’s size, the baby or mother’s medical condition, and feeding place (like in bed or in a chair).

CHECKPOINTS:

For each position one must check the following:

• Mother is relaxed and comfortable with a good posture and correct body alignment. Her back and arms are well supported.
• Baby’s head and body are well supported.
• Baby’s head is at the level of the breast.
• Baby’s chest is facing mother’s chest (chest-to-chest).
• Baby’s ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line.
• Baby’s nose is touching the nipple and chin touches the breast.

DIFFERENT HOLDS AND POSITIONS:

Cradle hold

Cross-Cradle hold

Laid back or Biological Nursing

Football position

Side-lying or reclining position

ESTABLISHING A GOOD LATCH:

Once you have set your position and hold, the next most important thing is to get your baby to latch on to the breast. Bring the baby to your nipple height and prop up their weight with the help of pillows. Do not take the weight of the baby on your arms, rather guide the baby into the correct position. It is very tempting to lean forward and just drop the nipple into the baby’s mouth, but this makes it more difficult for the baby to attach to and feed from & may cause you neck and back pain.

When an infant is latched correctly, the mother may feel discomfort for the first 30 to 60 seconds, which should then decrease. Continued discomfort may be a sign of a poor latch-on. To prevent further pain or nipple trauma, the mother should insert her clean finger into the infant’s mouth to break the seal. She can then reposition the infant and assist with latch-on again.

TIME AND FREQUENCY OF BREASTFEEDING:

Mothers are encouraged to attempt breastfeeding as soon as the baby begins to show signs of hunger. Early signs of hunger include awakening, rooting (searching for the breast), or sucking on the hands, lips, or tongue.

In the first 1 to 2 weeks, most infants feed 8 to 12 times a day. Some may want to nurse frequently, as often as every 30 to 60 minutes, while others, may have to be awakened and encouraged to feed. A baby may be awakened by changing the diaper or tickling the feet. During the first week of life, most paediatricians encourage parents to wake a sleeping infant to nurse every 4 hours. Some infants cluster feed, that means, they feed very frequently for a number of feedings and then sleep for a longer period.

The time period required for breastfeeding varies for every infant from 5 mins to 20 mins. Most doctors recommend that the infant be allowed to actively breastfeed for as long as desired; timing the feeding (i.e., watching the clock) is not recommended. “Active” breastfeeding means that the infant is regularly suckling and swallowing.

It is not necessary to switch sides in the middle of a nursing session. Thorough emptying of one breast allows the baby to consume hind milk which has higher fat content than foremilk available at the start of a nursing session.

Most infants signal that they are finished nursing by releasing the nipple and relaxing the facial muscles and hands. Infants younger than two to three months often fall asleep during nursing, even before they are finished. In this case, it is reasonable to try and awaken the baby and encourage to finish nursing. After finishing one breast, offer the other side with the understanding that the infant may not be interested.

Taking care of an infant can be an exhausting experience. However, it may be comforting to know that breastfeeding is no more time consuming than formula feeding, which requires additional time to purchase and prepare the formula, feeding it to the infant and then washing the bottles and nipples thoroughly.