Proper Breastfeeding

Proper Positioning

Breastfeeding is a skill. It is important that the mother is comfortable and the baby to be well supported during breastfeeding. Discover what kind of position is best for you and your baby.

Four Basic Breastfeeding Positions

1. Cross Cradle
2. Cradle
3. Football
4. Side-lying

Image by – summit medical group 

Good Attachment versus Poor Attachment

Image by – Ilithyia Inspired  

How to accomplish Good Attachment?

• Make sure the baby’s body is facing toward you and his/her back is straight.
• Hold breast in one hand. Do not squeeze it.
• Tickle or gently stroke side of baby’s lips with your nipple to open his/her mouth wide open.

Image by – kidspot

• Baby’s tongue should be under the nipple.
• Baby’s mouth should cover half of the areola while latching on.
• Baby’s lips turned out and not rolled in.
• Baby’s chin should be pressed against your breast.
• Baby’s nose should touch the breast.

Breastfeeding should not hurt. If it hurts, start over again.

Poor Attachment and improper breastfeeding techniques cause common problems experienced in breastfeeding which are enumerated below:

1. Sore nipples – cracked and painful nipples

Management: Expose nipple and allow to air dry

Prevention: Wear cotton nursing bra

1. Engorged breasts – feeling of tension and fullness in the breasts 

Management: Apply warm compress while feeding

Prevention: Wear supportive nursing bra

1. Inflamed breasts – often called mastitis; a bacterial infection

Management: 

Breastfeed and/or express breast milk on unaffected breast

Increase 500 calories

Take an antibiotic

Prevention: 

Personal breast hygiene and healthy sexual practices

Proper breast emptying

Read More Lactation Movement Articles:

Breastfeeding Guidelines

Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast

Breast Care & Hunger Clues

Breastfeeding – Things to avoid and diet to follow

Breast Expression

Storage, Thawing, Feeding of Expressed Breastmilk