Breastfeeding Instructions: These Simple Tips Will Help You Learn How To Breastfeed With Ease
Breastfeeding is a wonderful time for moms to bond with their newborn babies while providing them with the important nutrients necessary for their growth. Learning to breastfeed your baby before giving birth will help you adjust to your new role of breastfeeding as quickly and effortlessly as possible.
Here are a couple of lactation kits that a nursing mother should have:
– A bottle of Lansinoh Lonolin lotion to heal sore and cracked nipples.
– Nursing bras to support your larger and heavier breasts.
– Nursing tops will provide you with an easy way to breastfeed your baby with their flaps strategically placed so you can breastfeed without exposing your breasts too much.
– A baby carrier to hold your baby hands free while breastfeeding.
– Chest pads in the bra to keep your breasts dry and prevent unwanted leakage.
How to hold your baby while breastfeeding
The most common position for breastfeeding is the cradle position. Although there are other positions such as the clutch (soccer), lying down, tailor, and cross-cradle (transverse) positions, I will focus on the cradle position due to the length limitations of my article. You can hold the crib on a chair or bed in a sitting position. You can place a regular pillow or a nursing pillow on your lap to add more comfort. Make sure your back is straight and your arms and back are comfortably supported. Place your baby on your lap or pillow so that their stomachs are touching each other. Rest your baby’s head on either of your elbows, depending on which nipple you want to start nursing, and make sure his mouth is directly in front of your nipple. Support your baby’s head and back with one hand and use the other to support your breast if necessary.
How to hold your baby to the breast
A good latch will ensure a rewarding breastfeeding experience for you and your baby. If your baby latches on incorrectly, he will not get adequate milk and his nipples can become very sore. Breastfeeding should be a comfortable process, although there may be irritation at first. Hold your breast with one hand and brush your nipple with your baby’s lips to entice him to fully open. Bring your baby to your nipple and make sure most of the areola is in his mouth. Remove your baby if you feel the latch was not properly latched and repeat the process until you get it right.
Frequency and duration of breastfeeding
Each newborn baby needs to be breastfed at least every 2 hours during the day and every 3 hours at night, or about 8 to 12 feedings per 24 hours. As a general rule, a baby should never go more than 3 hours without breastfeeding. Be alert for any signs of hunger from the baby, such as mouth, increased activity or sucking, searching between meals to keep your baby well fed. Each breastfeeding session should last 10-15 minutes per breast or whatever is necessary for your baby to be full. You should start breastfeeding as soon as possible after the birth of your child and provide an exclusive breastfeeding diet for a minimum of 6 months. Children can continue to breastfeed until 2 years of age or older.