Breastfeeding may be the most natural way to feed your baby. Even though women are designed for breastfeeding, it can be a challenge, especially when it comes to positioning. Whether you’re just getting started or encountering common breastfeeding problems, the first thing to tackle is your baby’s latch.
CORRECT LATCH-ON
Latching on is how your baby attaches to your breast to feed and it is a skill both you and your baby need to learn together. Good attachment prevents you from developing sore and cracked nipples.
Steps to guide to latching on:
* Make sure you are sitting comfortably in a chair with good back support. Use a breastfeeding pillow to help you position the baby, for latch-on.
* Make sure baby is always lying tummy-to-tummy with you.
* Remember to bring the baby to you, do not lean to the baby, as this will cause severe strain on your neck and shoulders and affect the baby’s position.
* Remember to ensure that baby’s head, shoulder and hip are in a straight alignment as it helps baby with swallowing
* Ensure baby’s nose is opposite the nipple
* Mother grasps her breast on the sides using a “C” or “U” hold and guides the nipple into the baby’s mouth.
C Hold U Hold
* Mother must make sure to keep her fingers far from the nipple so that it will not affect how the baby latches on
* Aim the nipple towards the baby’s upper lip/nose.
* Rub the nipple across the baby’s top lip to get the baby to open the mouth
* Tilt the baby’s head slightly back, so that their top lips can brush against your nipple. This should encourage the baby to open his/her mouth wide.
* When the baby has a mouth wide opened, and head tipped back, the baby’s lower chin should be able to touch your breast first, and the baby’s tongue can reach as much breast as possible.
* Try to get as much of the lower portion of the areola into the baby’s mouth.
* Do not shove nipple into baby’s mouth if he/she does not open mouth wide. Instead, tickle the lip and wait for a wide-open mouth.
* Your baby’s tongue must extend over the lower jaw to form a soft pad that will hold and support the mother’s nipple during nursing.
* Ensure that baby’s bottom and top lip are flanged out like fish lip. The baby’s mouth should form a tight seal.
* With the baby correctly latched on, the stretched nipple will eject milk towards the back of the baby’s mouth.
Breastfeeding should not be painful. A good latch will help keep discomfort to a minimum. When the baby has not latched on well, other problems can develop including cracked and sore nipples. Once you get accustomed to positioning your baby and helping him/her get a good latch, breastfeeding can be a wonderful, pain-free bonding experience between you and your baby.
You can also read our article on 5-common-breastfeeding-positions
