Breastfeeding: The Basics

ANY PROBLEMS GET A LACTATION CONSULTANT!

• Breastfeeding initially hurts, is exhausting, exasperating and rewarding.
• Nurse one side per feeding to bring in the richer milk.
• You need way more nursing pads than you ever would have thought.
• Make sure to burp between and after feedings.  Initially took 1/2 hour for Baby C to burp.
• Felt completely parched every time Baby C latched.
• Nursing Checklist: 1-2 burp cloths, water bottle, and pillow/boppy
• Skin to skin with nursing is great.
• Do your best to be rested and hydrated.

LATCHING

Tickle side of baby's mouth to encourage the baby to open it wide.  If baby latches onto tip of nipple break the latch immediately!  It will hurt like crazy.  Have baby come towards nipple from below nipple, angled up and want it to basically swallow the entire nipple.  Support breast with one hand to help scoop it upwards to angle nipple up so baby can open and swallow coming down onto it.

• Latching Diagram 1
• Latching Diagram 2
• Latching Diagram 3

Breaking the Latch

DON'T pull the baby away without breaking latch using your finger.  Insert finger into the side of baby's mouth and slide up and down to break the latch before removing baby.  Do a sort of hooking motion with finger to break the latch.

• Break the Latch Diagram

POSITIONS

• Positions Diagram

NURSING RESOURCES

• The Nursing Mother's Companion
• Baby at Your Breast: The Basics
• Breast Feeding Support Groups are available at most of the hospitals (under Events & Classes)

HOW TO STORE BREASTMILK

• Most Helpful Link