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We have put together below some information that we gathered from reputable internet sources which we thought maybe of interest to you at this special time.
- Try to place your baby on the breast as soon as possible after birth. Ideally, this should happen as soon as possible after birth. Hopefully your midwife will encourage you to nurse in the delivery room if all has gone well.
- Some babies have been known to crawl up to the breast from the mother's abdomen within minutes of birth, and start breastfeeding all by themselves. However this could take up to an hour or longer, but the mother and baby should be given this time together to start learning about each other. Babies who "self-attach" run into far fewer breastfeeding problems. This skin-to-skin contact will help keep the child warm.
- If need be a lactation specialist could provide assistance. In the hospital, you can ask if a nurse or midwife who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding can observe your technique. If you leave the hospital before receiving any guidance, make sure that someone with breastfeeding expertise assesses how you are going.
- Whereever possible, try to stay in the same room with your baby.
- Limit visitors to allow more nursing opportunities. This may mean limiting visiting times at first to just your partner. This is probably better anyway, since it allows bonding time for the three of you.
- Mothers and babies learn how to sleep in the same rhythm. As a consequence when your baby starts waking for a feed, the mother will also wake naturally. The baby shows long before he starts crying that he/she is ready to feed. His breathing may change, ie he/she may start to stretch. The mother, being in light sleep, will wake, her milk will start to flow and baby will be calm and contently feed.
- A baby who has been crying for some time before being put on the breast may refuse to take the breast even if he is hungry. Mothers and babies should be encouraged to sleep side by side in hospital. This is a great way for mothers to rest while the baby nurses. Breastfeeding can be very relaxing, never tiring.
- Babies will use whichever method gives them a quick flow of fluid and may refuse other methods that do not. In the first few days, when the mother is producing only a little milk and the baby gets a bottle from which she gets easy flow, she will tend to prefer the that method. Just because a baby will "take both" does not mean that the natural method is not more beneficial.
- Nurse on demand, anything up to twelve feeds a day. This will keep your baby happy and will increase your milk supply to meet the demand as it grows. Also, don't let your baby sleep through a feeding. If it's been three hours since your newborn last fed, then wake him or her up.
- Nurse for as long as the baby wishes to. Most newborns require ten to forty-five minutes to finish a feed.
Try not to impose too many restrictions on the length or frequency of breastfeeding.
- A baby who drinks well will not be on the breast for hours at a time. If he is, it is usually because he is not latching on well and not getting the milk that is available. Get help to fix the baby's latch, and use compression to get the baby more milk.
- Don't try and feed your baby if she is screaming. If crying has already started, do some rocking and soothing before you start nursing. You can also try offering your finger to suck on until the baby calms down.
- The key to successful breastfeeding is a proper latch. Before you leave the hospital you should be shown how to get your baby latched on properly. You should also know that he is actually getting milk from the breast.
- Position yourself comfortably with back support, pillows supporting your arms and in your lap, and your feet supported by a footrest or a telephone book.
- Position baby close to you, with his hips flexed, so that he does not have to turn his head to reach your breast. His mouth and nose should be facing your nipple. If possible, ask your helper to hand you the baby once you are comfortable.
- Support your breast so it is not pressing on your baby's chin. Your baby's chin should drive into your breast.
- Attach or latch baby onto your breast. Encourage him to open his mouth wide and pull him close by supporting his back (rather than the back of his head) so that his chin drives into your breast. His nose will be touching your breast. Your hand forms a "second neck" for your baby.
- If you are feeling pain, detach baby gently and try again.
- As long as you are comfortable and baby is nursing successfully, use whatever works for you. There are a variety of breastfeeding positions to try.
- It is very important to bring the baby to your nipple height. Leaning over your baby can cause backaches, neck and shoulder strain, or sore nipples.
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Breastfeeding
