Though breastfeeding is natural, the technique is a learned skill and it may take time and patience for you and your baby to master it. As you become more practised, breastfeeding will become easier and more pleasurable.
The following hints can help you to avoid breastfeeding problems. But always keep in mind: These tips cannot replace expert help and do not cover any situation that might occur. Do not hesitate to ask your lactation specialist if you experience breastfeeding problems or if you have ongoing questions.
Positioning
Correct positioning is a key element of successful breastfeeding. Proper positioning will help your baby to latch-on correctly and a correct latch will help your baby to suck effectively and also prevent sore nipples.
The main reason for sore nipples is incorrect positioning of the baby at the breast! You can feed your baby in different positions. The most popular positions are lying down or sitting up. Especially in the early days and during night feedings lying down to breastfeed is very relaxing.
Whatever position you choose, it is important to find a comfortable position for you and your baby and your baby needs free access to the breast. Your back and your arms and sometimes also your feet need to be well supported. And never forget: Bring the baby to the breast and not the breast to the baby!
You will recognize if your baby is positioned well when his neck is straight or slightly bent back, his body is turned towards you (“tummy to tummy”), his body is close to you and well supported. Your baby’s head, shoulder and body should be in a straight line. Your baby should be able to latch-on to the breast without having to stretch or twist.
Latch-on
Your baby needs to latch-on to the breast properly to make sure he may get enough milk and to avoid damage to your nipples.
Bring your baby close to your breast and touch your nipple to your baby's lower lip. As soon as he opens his mouth wide, quickly pull him in to latch on. Your nipple should be pointing to the roof of your baby’s mouth. You will recognize the proper attachment of your baby to the breast by the following signs:
The baby´s chin is touching the breast
His mouth is wide open and he has a „mouthful of breast”
His lower lip is turned outward
You can see more of the areola above than below his mouth
You have no pain
An effective suckling baby starts with short sucks and goes on to slow deep sucks with pauses. You can see and hear the swallowing of your baby.
Breastfeeding should not hurt. A little bit of nipple tenderness is normal during the early days. However, sore, bleeding or cracked nipples are not normal and should be checked by your lactation specialist or health care provider.
Nutrition
The lactation period is a special time in your life. But it is not a time with long lists of do's and don’ts. You do not need to eat special foods or drink milk while breastfeeding and usually it is not necessary to avoid certain foods or beverages with the exception of alcohol. Even caffeinated beverages can be consumed in limited amounts.
Some babies may react when a mother eats certain foods but this does not mean that every mother needs to restrict her diet in any case. If you are worried about a particular food, eat a small amount and observe your baby. If your baby really seems to be bothered, you may consider avoiding that food – at least for a while.
Try to have a well balanced diet and eat and drink a variety of foods. It is recommended to eat foods in as natural a state as possible and avoid processed foods.
It is still widely believed that breastfeeding mothers need to drink a lot of fluids to have enough milk. This belief is wrong! You should drink to thirst. You are drinking enough when your urine is clear to pale yellow.
If you follow a very special diet (e.g. macrobiotic or vegan) ask your health care provider how this diet will affect breastfeeding and your milk.
Controlling baby's weight
Many mothers are afraid about „not having enough milk”. In most cases this fear is unwarranted. Breastfeeding professionals list the signs that indicate your baby is getting enough:
One or two wet diapers during the first few days, while the baby is receiving colostrums.
Six to eight wet cloth diapers (5 - 6 wet disposable diapers) per day (24 hours) on the third or fourth day when the milk "comes-in".
At least two to five bowel movements every 24 hours for the first several months, although some babies will switch to less frequent but large bowel movements at about 6 weeks.
The baby nurses frequently averaging at least 6 - 10 feedings per 24-hour period.
Baby’s swallowing sounds are audible as he is breastfeeding.
The baby should gain at least 120 – 210 g per week after the fourth day of life.
The baby will be alert and active, appear healthy, have good colour, firm skin, and will be growing in length and head circumference.
Reference: La Leche League International (LLLI)
Please be aware that not every fussiness means hunger
Breastfeeding rhythm
It is usually best to feed the baby on demand and to forget anything about breastfeeding schedules. Most full term, healthy babies know best when they need to feed, how long and how much they need to feed. You can expect your baby to have in between six and eight feeds in 24 hours. Feed your baby as frequently and as long as he wants to, even at night. As your baby becomes older and more mature the feeding frequency might decrease.
Especially young babies tend to clusterfeed. That means the baby feeds frequently at certain times and much less at others. Typically these episodes of clusterfeeding take place in the late afternoon or early evening. Clusterfeeding does not indicate a lack of milk but is indeed a common feeding pattern in young babies.
Clusterfeeding should not be mixed up with growth spurts. If your baby suddenly wants to feed more often, this is called a growth spurt. Typically you can expect growth spurts when your baby is about two to three weeks, six weeks and three months. Just feed your baby more frequently for a couple of days and then the balance between supply and demand will be restored
Medela breastpumps are recommended by lactation consultants and midwives all over the world and support extended breastfeeding.
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