How to Breastfeed Successfully

by Renee Dietz | More from this Blogger

Even with today's busy schedules, reports suggest that three times more women breastfed than 20 years earlier. After all, this form of feeding is natural and breast milk is loaded with everything the baby needs. If you are becoming a mom for the first time, remember that breastfeeding requires a little bit of patience on you and the baby's end. For you, it is about learning how to care for the breasts and when the baby wants or needs to feed. For the baby, he or she has to learn how to latch on properly and that suckling is meant for mealtime.

Your baby will be eating every two to four hours round the clock so be prepared. The key for successful breastfeeding is getting started immediately after birth. For this, you would need to be seated while using a pillow for back and knee support. Of course, you may find another seated position more comfortable but this is a great suggestion in that both you and baby are comfortable. Next, pull the baby to the breast. Some people will actually let the baby's arm closest to your body go around your waist, which helps to get the baby even closer.

The goal is keeping the baby snuggled into your body where he or she will feel secure. Usually, when the baby can feel skin-to-skin, the feeding experience is more successful. While supporting the baby's head in the crook of your arm, guide his/her mouth to the nipple so the mouth is latched on but the nose clear for breathing. Sometimes, slight adjustments are needed but you will figure it out.

For some babies, latching onto the nipple is challenging. When this happens, you may notice him/her becoming frustrated. In this case, take a minute to calm the baby down and then try again, slowly guiding him/her to the nipple. To help, you can try holding your hand underneath the breast to give the nipple a little lift, which will make it easier for the baby to latch on.

Once your baby gets the idea, he or she will place the nipple in the mouth, closing the lips around the areola to create a tight seat. As the baby sucks, you should notice swallowing. When the baby has finished eating, do not try to pull the mouth off the nipple, which can be painful. Instead, use the tip of your finger to press down on the breast close to the baby's mouth or insert the tip of your finger into the mouth to release the suction. Keep in mind that breastfeeding babies will often have a tiny blister on the upper lip, which is simply from sucking. This blister will fall off and reform many times over, a natural part of the breastfeeding process.

Learn more about Renee Dietz

I have been a successful, published writer for the past 26 years, offering a writing style that is informative, creative, and reader-friendly.

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