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.
