There are numerous benefits of breast milk, such that only breast milk is enough to meet all your baby’s needs until the time of transition into supplementary food. Therefore, it’s inevitable to position yourself in various ways to feed your little baby with this miraculous nutrition. Finding the right way while breastfeeding your baby is pretty important both for you to feel comfortable and for your baby to not experience digestive problems such as gas or vomiting.
Especially considering that newborns should be breastfed 8-12 times a day on average, learning to breastfeed little ones in the most ideal position will become an important issue for mothers, especially in order to prevent it from becoming a burden. Thus, having the right breastfeeding techniques while feeding provides lots of benefits for the mum and baby. If you want to learn more about breastfeeding, you can look at our Breastfeeding Guide.
So, what is the ideal breastfeeding way and why your position is important? Let’s see together!
The Impact of Right Breastfeeding on Maternal and Infant Health
Breastfeeding is much more than an activity that occurs in which the breast is given to the baby. After giving birth, you can learn how to feed your baby with the help of midwives or nurses, however, when you come home back, it’s quite normal to feel like you’ve forgotten everything. If you pay attention to some key points and apply breastfeeding techniques suitable for you and your baby, both of you will be more comfortable and feel cosy.
Benefits of Right Breastfeeding on Mums
- Proper breastfeeding leads to proper latching. Because if your baby grasps your breast properly, the risk of nipple cracks and wounds is reduced.
- When your baby breastfeeds better, lactation increases as the hormones that support milk production are stimulated.
- Your baby can empty your breast more easily with proper latching, and this prevents the breasts from swelling, aching or getting infected as a result of milk accumulation.
- With the right position, your arm and back pains can be reduced and you may feel less tired.
- You can breastfeed the baby for a longer time with the ideal breastfeeding position.
- When you find the right way to breastfeed, you can feel more self-confident and communicate better with your baby.
The Benefits of Right Breastfeeding on Babies
- Your baby will get less tired if breastfeeding takes place in a right position.
- With proper latching, your baby swallows fewer air bubbles which decreases gas pains.
- The milk goes directly to the baby’s stomach with proper latching and this prevents situations such as vomiting or taking milk out.
- You can notice or follow your baby’s swallowing sound more easily.
- When your baby is full, they can leave your breast themselves.
- Your baby can feel more peaceful while breastfeeding.
Right Breastfeeding Techniques
Let’s see the breastfeeding techniques which you can enjoy while feeding your baby and both of you feel comfortable:
- Cuddle Position (Cradle Position): It is the most well-known breastfeeding position which is also called the “cradle position” because of the way the mother holds the baby. To experience cuddle position;
- Sit in a place like an armchair where you can lean your back.
- If possible, put an item under your feet so that it can raise your feet off the ground. Thus, your baby can stand closer to your chest when they are in your lap.
- Lean the baby on your arm on whichever side of the breast you’re going to feed from.
- Place the baby’s head to the inner elbow part of your arm that you’re holding.
- Ensure that your baby’s head and body are aligned.
- Support your baby’s back and butt with the arm and hand you’re holding your baby.
- With the other hand you don’t use, ensure that your baby grasps your breast.
- Do not bend over your baby as their face and body are facing you.
- You may place a pillow under your baby to prevent bending over them.
However, the cuddling technique is more suitable for mothers who have had vaginal delivery. For mothers with abdominal delivery, this technique may not be an ideal choice. Because in the cuddle position, the baby may put pressure on the sutures, which causes pain in mothers. Also, on the other hand, the baby will use the muscles in their neck to reach the breast, and newborn babies may have difficulty in this position for the first 1-1.5 months as their muscles are still weak. Therefore, it is recommended to try the other techniques until your abdominal delivery sutures heal and your baby’s neck muscles develop.
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Reversed Cuddle Position (Cross cradle position): The reversed cuddle position is similar to the cuddle one as the way the mother sits and posture is the same as the cuddle position. The difference is how the mother holds the baby. To experience reversed cuddle position;
- Hold your baby with the arm on the opposite of whichever side you’ll breastfeed.
- Support your baby’s head with your hand.
- Place your baby point toward you and align their stomach with yours.
- Support your baby’s back with the inner part of your arm on the opposite of whichever side you breastfeed, while supporting their neck and head with your hand and fingers.
- Ensure proper latching with the other hand you don’t use.
This technique is the most ideal position for newborns and babies who have difficulty moving their head closer to the breast. It enables you to not bend down since your baby’s head stands closer to the breast with the support of your hand.
Side-lying Position: This technique is ideal for mothers with abdominal delivery and exhaustion. To experience side-lying position;
- Lie down sideways to the bed or a long armchair.
- Lie down on the side in which you’ll breastfeed your baby. Thus, your baby can stand closer to your breast and reach the nipple more easily.
- Place your baby to the bed pointing toward you and sideways.
- Support your baby’s head with the other arm or use a pillow to support them.
- You can also try this technique by supporting your baby’s head and back with your arm under while you are standing in a semi-lying position by supporting your back with a pillow.
Armpit Position: This technique is among the preferences of mothers with abdominal delivery. It is also a suitable position for breastfeeding a premature baby. To experience armpit position;
- Sit on a sofa or chair.
- Take your baby under your arm by bending your arm from the elbow, and support your baby’s back with a pillow.
- Hold your baby at your waist level and facing on you.
- Support your baby’s head with the palm of your hand, while grasping your breast with the other hand.
- Your baby does not put weight on your stomach as they’re laid down with their feet behind.
- This method is the most suitable position for mothers who have twin babies. It allows you to breastfeed two babies at the same time.
Techniques to Make Breastfeeding Easier
- Support your posture during breastfeeding. You can use pillows or sit on an armchair with armrests.
- Try feeding your baby with the help of a breastfeeding pillow or cushion. Thus, both of you can feel less tired.
- While breastfeeding your little one, support that breast with your hand.
- Try to breastfeed your baby with both of your breasts each time, so that you feel less pain as your breasts get empty. In this way, lactation will increase as well.
- Stay away from stress as much as possible. Be confident and relaxed when breastfeeding your baby.
What Should You Keep in Mind Overall?
- Your baby’s mouth should be wide open.
- Your baby’s body and face should be pointed towards you.
- The lower lip of your baby should be facing outwards.
- Your baby should take the brown area around the nipple (areola), not the nipple only.
- Their chin should be in touch with your breast.
Eventually, you will find the most ideal position for breastfeeding your baby by experiencing it together. However, your breastfeeding process may become a more comfortable activity during this time when you benefit from the right breastfeeding techniques and little tricks to enhance your experience.
We have an advice to find more! How to Should Twin Babies Be Breastfeed? – https://www.bebek.com/en/how-should-twin-babies-be-breastfeed/
Wishing you and your baby all the best on this journey!
