Breastfeeding is a wonderful time for moms to bond with their newborn babies while giving them important nutrients necessary for their growth. Learning how to breastfeed your baby before giving birth will help you ease into your new nursing role as quickly and effortlessly as possible.
Here's a couple of breastfeeding gear a nursing mother must have:
- A bottle of Lansinoh Lonolin lotion to heal sore and cracked nipples.
- Nursing bras for the support of your bigger and heavier breasts.
- Nursing tops will provide you with a easy way to nurse your baby with their strategically placed flaps so that you may breastfeed without exposing too much of your breasts.
- A baby sling for hands-free support of your baby while you are breastfeeding.
- Breast pads in your bra to keep your breasts dry and prevent unwanted leakage.
How To Hold Your Baby During Breastfeeding
The most common breastfeeding position is the cradle position. Although there are other positions like the clutch (football), lying down, tailor and cross-cradle (transverse) positions, I shall focus on the cradle position due to my article length constraints. You can do the cradle hold on a chair or bed in a sitting posture. You may put a normal pillow or nursing pillow on your lap to add more comfort. Ensure that your back is straight and your arms and back are supported comfortably. Place your baby on your lap or pillow so that he/she your tummies touch each other. Rest your baby's head on either of your elbow bends depending on which nipple you wish to start nursing from and ensure his/her mouth is directly in front of your nipple. Support your baby's head and back with one hand and use the other to hold onto your breast if required.
How To Latch Your Baby Onto Your Breast
A good latch on will ensure a gratifying breastfeeding experience for you and your baby. Should your baby latch on incorrectly, he/she will not receive adequate milk and your nipples may get very painful. Breastfeeding should be a comfortable process even though there may be irritation at the beginning. Hold your breast with one hand and brush your nipple on your baby's lips to entice him/her to open wide. Bring your baby towards your nipple and make sure your baby puts most of your areola in his/her mouth. Remove your baby if you feel the latch was not done properly and repeat the process till you get a good latch on.
Frequency and Duration Of Breastfeeding
Every newborn baby needs to be breast fed at a minimum of every 2 hours during the day and every 3 hours at night, or about 8 to 12 feedings per 24 hours. As a general rule, a baby should never go beyond 3 hours without breastfeeding. Be alert for any baby hunger signs like mouthing, increased activity or sucking, rooting in between feedings to keep your baby well fed. Each nursing session should last about 10 to 15 minutes per breast or whatever it takes for your baby to be full. You should begin breastfeeding as early as possible after the birth of your child and provide him/her with an exclusive breastfeeding diet for a minimum of 6 months. Children may continue to breastfeed until 2 years of age or more.
Please visit Natalie Williams's web site at Pregnancy101.net to get more breastfeeding how-to's, pregnancy tips and lots lots more.
Tags: diet, nutrients, nurse, breasts, breastfeeding experience, areola, newborn baby, feeding, breast, nipples