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The
sooner you put the Baby to the breast, the better. Most
babies are ready and even eager to breastfeed at some
time within the first hour. Early breastfeeding is
beneficial to mother and baby. Aside from getting
breastfeeding off to a good start, your baby's immediate
nursing hastens the delivery of the placenta. You will
have less blood loss because the baby's sucking causes
the uterus to contract. For the baby, being so close to
his mother is comforting, and the first breast milk, the
colostrum, is a source of protective immunities against
disease.
Mother and baby need to be
together early and often to establish a satisfying
relationship and an adequate breast milk supply. The
important thing is to hold your baby close, talk to him
and comfort him. Cup your breast in one hand and tickle
your baby's lips with your nipple. If he opens his mouth
wide, pull him in close to you so he can easily grasp
the nipple and a large portion of the areola, the darker
skin area that surrounds your nipple. He may take a few
sucks and fall asleep. Don't worry if he doesn't latch
on right away. He will soon.
No two mothers and babies are
alike and as a baby gets older and breastfeeds well,
correct positioning becomes less of a concern.
There are
two aspects to proper positioning:
1. The position of the nipple in your baby's
mouth.
2. The position of your baby's body in relation to
yours.
It is normal to experience slight tenderness when baby
latches on in the first three to five days after birth.
After that, if proper positioning and latch-on
techniques are used, you can expect little or no nipple
soreness.
Correct Positioning and latch-on, as well as alternating breastfeeding positions, will prevent nipple soreness.
CRADLE HOLD:
1. 1-2 pillows in lap.
2. Baby's head in crook of mother's arm.
3. Baby on his/her side, chest to chest with mother.
4. Support breast with hand in an "L" or "C" position.
5. Tickle baby's lower lip until he opens WIDE!
BE PATIENT! Quickly pull baby onto breast.
6. Break baby's suction prior to removing baby
from the breast.
FOOTBALL/CLUTCH HOLD:
1. 1-2 pillows at mother's side.
2. Baby's neck & lower back of head supported
in mother's hand with forearm supporting baby's
upper body held against her side.
3. Follow above latch-on steps 4-6
LYING DOWN POSITION:
1. Mother on side with pillows supporting back and top
leg that is bent forward.
2. Baby on side parallel to mother's body.
3. Follow above latch-on steps 4-6
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