For most people, there are many questions and concerns that come to the surface when one is pregnant. Breastfeeding is often one of the topics that the pregnant woman thinks more about towards the end of the process, because yes – the breasts hurt!
Here we provide some good advice about breastfeeding that may help alleviate some of the questions and concerns you have.
The natural course
Immediately after your baby is born, it will be optimal if the baby is gently placed on your stomach, skin to skin, and goes through a specific action pattern where the baby will automatically seek your breast. There is no reason to rush the process by forcing the baby to latch on. If the baby is not ready to suckle, it obviously won’t happen. But the initiation process can take time, so be patient – it will work out
The first time
The close contact between you and your baby is extremely important at the beginning, so the baby can sense and smell you as much as possible. Your baby can comfortably lie with you in bed, so there is unlimited access to the breast. In this way, the little one will have the opportunity to follow its nature and eat when hunger strikes. That said, it doesn’t mean that your baby should lie at your breast continuously, as children are very different. Some eat immediately after birth and sleep for the next 24 hours, while other children need to eat all the time.
Also read: Breastfeeding – Hey mom! Have you remembered the most important thing? To pamper yourself!
Be patient
It is practically impossible to set a time for how long a meal should last – again, children are different. Some children may have had enough to eat after 5-10 minutes, while others need 30-60 minutes with breaks in between. Moreover, the same child may go through different periods over time, where the duration can vary greatly.
The most important thing is really just to feel that your baby looks satisfied and comfortable. Then you are definitely doing it right
This is how you latch your baby
First and foremost, it is important that you get comfortable so that your baby can lie well and relaxed at your breast. It is also important that the little one is close to your body, so it cannot push itself away. You might place one of your baby's hands around your belly so that it lies well. When your baby is ready to breastfeed, it will most often seek the nipple by turning its head back and forth – possibly accompanied by smacking sounds. If it doesn’t find your nipple right away, you can activate the rooting reflex by rubbing the nipple back and forth in front of the baby’s mouth. Also, ensure that the baby’s head is tilted slightly backward so that it can latch on better.
Also read: Guide – How to choose the right nursing bra!
The right sucking technique
A good sucking technique not only provides a faster satisfied baby, but it also prevents you from getting sores and cracks on the nipple and/or clogged milk ducts. This can be very painful for you as a mother, and at the same time, the breast is not stimulated and drained properly. It can affect your milk production and ultimately result in your baby not getting enough milk. However, it is important to point out that tenderness in the breasts during the first 1-2 weeks is quite normal! So don’t worry
But what is the correct sucking technique then? After you have properly latched your baby and are completely ready to breastfeed, it is important that he/she has their mouth wide open so that you can place most of the nipple far back in the mouth. The nipple should ideally go in far enough to touch your baby's soft palate. Then wait and feel if your baby latches on by themselves. You can be fairly certain that your baby's sucking technique is correct based on two things:
- Your baby's tongue makes a rhythmic movement against the underside of your breast, thus pushing the milk out.
- Your baby uses the muscles in their cheeks and all the way up to the ears.
Enjoy breastfeeding! It will surely be a success
/ Team Mammshop
