Although breast feeding your baby is the most natural thing in the world, it
isn’t automatically as easy as you might think. In fact, many new moms struggle
to feed their babies for the first few days, or even weeks, but this doesn’t
mean you should give up. With some simple tips and a little patience you and
your baby will have the hang of it in no time.
The first step is to relax. If you are anxious about feeding, your baby will be
too. This is a joint effort, remember. It is hard to relax when your baby is
screaming to be fed, so practice beforehand taking deep breaths and saying
soothing words to yourself and your baby.
Positioning is important in breast feeding so pay attention to this and ensure
you have everything you need to hand before you start. This may include a
special breast feeding cushion, designed to wrap around your body and support
the baby in the best position, a glass of water (feeding can be thirsty work for
moms too), a muslin square to mop up spills or for privacy, and a good book to
read.
Your baby should be lying on her side facing towards you, with her head level
with the first breast you plan to feed from. (Many mothers tie a ribbon on the
bra strap of the last breast the baby fed from so they can remember which to use
next time!) Position your baby so her mouth is just under your nipple area and
then tickle her nose with your nipple or stoke her cheek gently to encourage her
to latch on.
When your baby is feeding correctly it shouldn’t hurt. She will be sucking with
the whole of your nipple in her mouth and most of the areola – but you should be
able to see some of the areola above her mouth. If she is sucking correctly and
swallowing milk her ears will be moving backwards and forwards slightly. Babies’
sucking reflex is very strong but it can still take them a while to get the hang
of it so do persevere if she doesn’t get it right away.
The first milk your baby will get is called colostrum, a thick liquid packed
full of nutrients and anti-bodies. When your milk ‘comes in’ in a few days, your
baby will start off with foremilk, a thinner liquid that precedes the thicker,
more satisfying, hind milk. It takes a few minutes for babies to get through to
the hind milk, so be patient and allow a good hour for most feeds in the early
days.
When breast feeding it is important to do so in a quiet, calm environment, so
keep interruptions to a minimum. If you have visitors take yourself and baby off
to a separate room to feed – the noise and interested stares of other people
will no doubt put you and the baby off! Above all, enjoy the feeling of
closeness with your baby.
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Dislaimer
AV Baby content is for information only. If you are at all worried about your
baby, please seek the advice of your midwife, doctor or paediatrician.
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