Nursing How To’s
Successful BreastFeeding
Hold your baby close to you. Support his or her back with your arm, cradling your baby near your breast. Keep your back straight to prevent strain, and use pillows to support you and your baby if needed. Hand extract some breast milk and smooth it over your nipples and areola. This will help to soften your breast. If your baby cannot latch on, you may need to hand express some additional milk. Touch your baby’s cheek with your nipple and he or she will turn instinctively to your breast. Place your breast in your baby’s mouth. Make sure your entire nipple and a good deal of areola is covered. Your baby’s mouth should be open over you, and the tongue and jaw should be working together to nurse. You will see your baby’s temple and ears moving.
If your baby has not latched on correctly, place your little finger just at the corner of his or her mouth and wiggle it in to loosen your baby’s grip. Carefully remove your breast and try again. If your baby is sucking incorrectly, you will experience pain, soreness and your nipples may begin to crack.
Always begin on the breast your baby last nursed from. To remember, keep a tiny safety pin on your bra on the side your baby last used. The next time you nurse, start with that side, and remember to move the pin to the other side. Allow your breast to empty on one side before switching to the next. If your baby stops after only nursing on one breast, start with the other the next time. If your baby falls asleep before finishing, gently stroke the cheek or open your baby’s blanket or shirt a bit to cool your little one off. You can also gently massage or tickle your baby’s feet to stimulate nursing again. Do not let your baby sleep at your breast. Your infant will not be sucking correctly and you will experience soreness once he or she lets go.
It may take you several weeks of you and your baby working together to make nursing work. But the benefits to both you and your baby go way beyond that short amount of time. Take the time, ask for help and you will do beautifully. For tips on increasing your breast milk supply, visit our milk production page.
If you will be pumping your breast milk, learn how to collect and store your breast milk properly.
