How to Breastfeed

Most first time moms would love to breastfeed their babies, but the first thing that they would ask is how to breastfeed.  Breastfeeding can bring love and joy to both the mother and the child.  Aside from the fact that it will give babies the proper nourishment that they need, it also creates a special bond between the mom and the baby.

Breastfeeding can be a challenging task to moms especially for those who will do it for the first time.  Here are some tips on how to breastfeed your baby.

1.  It is very necessary for moms to be comfortable while breastfeeding.  It is more recommended to breastfeed while sitting up in bed, in a rocking chair or in an armchair especially if it will be your first time to breastfeed your baby.  Pillows will be a great help.  You can use them behind your back, under your elbow and on your lap to support the baby.  Remember that you should be relaxed without any muscles straining.

2.  Your baby should be lying on her side with her whole body facing you.  You should not be leaning forward and your baby should be comfortably positioned for latching as well.

3.  Offer your breast to your baby by holding your breast with your thumb and index finger in a “C” or a “U” position. Your fingers should be well behind the areola.

4.  Encourage your baby to open her mouth widely by moving her away and toward your breast, lightly touching her lips and repeating it until she widely opens her mouth just enough to cover almost the entire areola.  You can even talk to her and encourage her to open her mouth.  That would be a good chance in developing communication between the two of you.

5.    Pull her closely once she opens her mouth, chin first so that she would take your breast deeply into her mouth.    Once she is latched, pull her closer in an angle that would prevent her from blocking her nose unto your breast.  If your baby is properly positioned, breastfeeding will bring no pain and would be very easy for both you and your baby.

6.  In case breastfeeding causes pain, it means your baby is not sucking correctly.  If this happens, you will need to remove the baby from your breast by pressing your breast and gently pulling on baby’s cheek. You can also try putting your finger on the side of her mouth. Start positioning your baby again and make sure her mouth is opened wide and her tongue should be under your nipple.  Don’t let her suck incorrectly to avoid soreness on your nipple.

Breastfeeding is a very important task for moms and can bring the most wonderful feeling to both the mother and her child.  This promotes a unique bond between them and gives a lot of health benefits for the baby.  As long as mom knows how to breastfeed properly, no problem will arise and the baby will be properly nourished and loved.