How to Breast Feed

It is important for a new mother to breastfeed her baby because there is nothing more nourishing for a newborn than breast milk. For some mothers and babies, it can take up to eight weeks to establish a healthy breastfeeding relationship while for others it happens within hours of birth. While breastfeeding is a natural process, most mothers and babies must work together to learn how to breastfeed successfully.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Firm pillow
• Comfortable chair or bed with pillows for support
• Burp cloth

1. Sit up with your back well supported in a position that you can hold comfortably for some time.

2. Position the pillow on your lap under the breast that you intend to feed with first.

3. Hold your baby like a football, tucked under your arm next to the chosen breast. Place your hand at the back of her neck, giving her support, while her head rests on the pillow and her feet lay behind your back.

4. Guide her head so it is directly facing your nipple and is close enough for her to take the entire nipple into her mouth.

5. Take your free hand and cup your breast with your four fingers underneath and your thumb on top of your breast.

6. Move your breast and tickle her lips with your nipple until she opens her mouth wide, like a yawn.

7. Quickly bring your baby to your nipple as her mouth opens wide, allowing for as much of your nipple as possible to be inserted into her mouth.

8. Allow for 10 to 15 minutes of suckling before inserting your finger gently into the corner of her mouth to break the suction or allow your baby to suckle until she releases on her own.

9. Place your baby over your shoulder and firmly pat her back until she burps. Use a soft burp cloth to clean up any possible spit-up.

10. Repeat Steps 2 through 9 on the opposite breast.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t hunch over your baby. Bring your baby to your breast, not your breast to your baby. If your nipples hurt, your baby is not latched on correctly. Start again, trying to fit your entire nipple into her mouth. If latched on correctly, her lips should be flayed outward like a fish around your nipple. Feed your newborn 8 to 12 times a day until good breastfeeding habits are established. Also, your baby should be gaining weight at a healthy rate, ensuring she's getting enough to eat. Once those goals are met you can begin feeding on demand.
• Do not get discouraged. Breastfeeding is a learned skill that takes time and patience and is totally worth it.

Resources

• KellyMom
• More on breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding.com