It is very important to hold your baby in the correct position during breastfeeding. Many breastfeeding problems are caused by not having your baby in the correct position.
- Breast milk flows better when you are relaxed and comfortable. If your home is very busy, go to a quiet room where you can breastfeed your baby. You can enjoy listening to soft music and drinking a healthy drink while breastfeeding your baby. Wash your hands with soap and water before breastfeeding.
- Remove some of the baby's clothing so that the two of you can enjoy each other's skin contact. Undressing the baby can also prevent him from falling asleep while breastfeeding and can help him to suck (suck) better.
- Try the following positions until you learn which one works best for you and your baby. Change your position if you are not comfortable. Changing positions from time to time serves to take turns where your baby suckles from on the nipple. This prevents the nipples from becoming sore and sore. Always bring the baby to the level of your nipples. Leaning over to bring your nipple into the baby's mouth can cause you back pain and tender nipples.
- Sitting holding it in one arm forming a cradle: This is the most commonly used position to breastfeed the baby. Sit in a comfortable chair or rocking chair. You can use a bench to rest your legs and feet. The bench raises your legs and prevents pulling of the muscles of the arms and back. Put the baby's head in the crook of your arm, rolling it like in a crib. A pillow under your arm brings the baby closer to your nipple during the first weeks of lactation. The pillow also supports your arm and your baby's body.
- Your baby should be lying on his side and resting on his shoulder and hips. Their stomachs should be touching in this position. Use your hand to support your baby's bottom. Pick your baby up toward you instead of toward him. The baby's mouth should be level with your nipple. The baby should not reach out to place the nipple in his mouth. The nape and head of the baby should remain straight and not twisted.
- Gently move your baby's arms and hands out of the way. With the baby on one side, tuck the lower arm between your chest and the baby's body. You may need to hold your baby's hand with your free hand.
- Hold it like a football: This position is suitable for breastfeeding when you have had a C-section or if your breasts are large. It can also be helpful when you have twins to breastfeed or if your baby is very young. You can use this position if you have problems with blocked milk ducts in your breast.
- Sit up straight, with a pillow under your arm on the side you are going to use. The pillow moves your baby away from the incision (cut) if you had a C-section. A pillow also supports your arm. Hold the baby's head in your hand with his back along your arm facing you. Your baby's mouth should be level with your nipple. Tuck your legs and feet under your arm.
- Bring the baby's head closer to your breast. Place the fingers of your other hand above and below your nipple. Move your baby's head toward your breast as he opens his mouth
- Side Lying: This may be the most comfortable position to breastfeed your baby right after delivery. You can also use this position if you have had a C-section. Evening meals can be easier if you use this position. You have to be very careful when you do it this way so that you don't roll on top of the baby if he falls asleep.
- Lie on your side. Put your baby on his side facing you. Hold the baby with his head to your breast. You can put a pillow behind the baby's back so that it does not move. Lift your breast. When the baby opens his mouth, bring him closer to the nipple
- You can fall asleep while breastfeeding because this position is comfortable. However, you should try to breastfeed your baby from both breasts. Your milk ducts may become plugged if you don't empty both breasts.
How do I get the baby to latch onto my breast?
- When the baby begins to breastfeed it is important that he latches on to the breast correctly to suck. If your baby is not sucking well, he may not be getting the right amount of milk. Also, your nipples may be sore and tender.
- Calm down. You may have a tingling sensation in your breasts when you begin to prepare to breastfeed your baby. This sensation is known as the lactic ejection reflex (of milk) or descent of the milk. When this happens, the milk may drip or spray from your nipples. Sometimes just thinking about your baby, or hearing him cry, can cause your milk to come down. For more information, ask your doctor for the CareNote with the title "How Milk Is Produced In The Breasts"
- Get into a comfortable position with your baby. Use your free hand to place your thumb on top of the areola. The areola is the dark area around your nipple. Place your first two fingers under the areola. You have made a "C" with your hand. Turn the baby so he's looking at you
- Your baby is born with many reflexes. These reflections cause the baby to do a lot of things without thinking, such as blinking his eyes in bright light. The "sniffing reflex" causes your baby to turn his head toward your hand if you rub his cheek or mouth. He will open his mouth to start sucking
- With one of your fingers, rub the baby's cheek that is closest to your breast. Also, you can use your nipple to rub her cheek. Your baby will move his head and mouth toward your nipple to begin sucking. Do not rub the other cheek because the baby moves to where it is touched and removes its mouth from the nipple
- When the baby's mouth is wide open, place your nipple and as much of the areola into the mouth as possible. This causes him to use his lips, gums, and cheek muscles to put pressure on the milk breasts that are under the areola. Bring the baby closer to your breast so that the tip of the nose touches your breast
- If your baby's nose appears to be stuffy, bring his bottom toward you. Change his position a little. You can use your thumb to gently press down on your breast and pull your nose back a little. You do not have to worry about sticking the baby's nose to your breast while breastfeeding. Babies can breathe from the sides of the nose even though the tip is pinched
- Hold the breast you are using with your hand after the baby has put the nipple in his mouth. This is so that the weight of your breast does not tire your baby's mouth. As the baby grows you will not have to hold your breast
- Breastfeed your baby for 15 minutes on each breast. To switch sides, place a finger on the side of the baby's mouth to break the seal. Breathe out the baby and then move it to the other breast
- There is no regular schedule to breastfeed your baby. It will take time for you and your baby to establish a routine that works for both of you.