Breastfeeding tips|How to breastfeed: breastfeeding positions|common breastfeeding position| breastfeeding positions, latch, positioning|how to hold baby to breastfeed |Benefits of breastfeeding

 Breastfeeding position & Benefits of breast feeding:

There are generally four methods of breastfeeding. Baby's head and body should be straight while feeding.

Improve latching:

1.If the baby is not breastfed properly, the milk will curdle and the milk secretion will begin to decrease. Therefore, it should not be dismissed casually. It plays a major role in the development of the child.

2.Baby's head and body should be straight while feeding. The baby's head should be in line with the mother's breasts and its face should be opposite the breastbone. The nipple should be on top of the baby's mouth. Initially it may seem difficult for both the baby and the mother.

3.It won't seem like such a big challenge as the months go by. The position of the baby's body close to the mother's body can lead to excess milk secretion. The mother's hand should support the baby's entire body.

There are generally four methods of breastfeeding. They are cradle position, intermediate position, holding position and lateral position. Hold the baby crosswise and lie on the elbow of the nursing side

Placement is cradle position. The intermediate position is the same as the cradle position, supporting the head with the other hand.

4.The holding position is nursing with the baby's body slightly away from the mother's body. The side position is when the mother and baby lie together and nurse. Always breastfeed in a sitting position. It may be more comfortable to breastfeed while lying down.

But, the baby's neck tilts to one side and it becomes difficult to suck milk. It also gives the baby neck pain.

Not only that, sometimes mother and baby may fall asleep while breastfeeding while lying down. As a result, the baby has milk trachea

There is a chance to go. Therefore, the cradle position is the best idol for both the baby and the mother.

Breastfeeding tips:

Signs of a good latch:

1.A comfortable experience with no pain.

2.More areola is visible above your baby’s mouth than below.

3.Your baby’s mouth is wide open.

4.Their lower lip is turned out.

5.Their chin is touching – or nearly touching – your breast.

Signs of good positioning:

1.Your baby’s head and body are in line. A baby cannot suckle or swallow easily if their head is twisted or bent.

2.Your baby is held close to your body. A baby cannot attach well to the breast if they are far away from it.

3.Your baby’s whole body is supported with your arm along their back. This is particularly important for newborns and young babies. For older babies, support of the upper part of the body is usually enough. 

4.Your baby approaches breast nose to nipple, so that they come to your breast from underneath the nipple.

Signs of effective suckling:

1.Your baby takes slow deep suckles, sometimes pausing.

2.You may be able to see or hear your baby swallowing after one or two suckles.

Suckling is comfortable and pain free for you.

3.Your baby finishes the feed, releases the breast and looks contented and relaxed.

4.Your breast is softer after the feed.

Benefits of skin-to-skin contact:

1.It calms and relaxes both you and your baby.

2 Skin-to-skin regulates your baby’s temperature, heart rate and breathing.

3.It stimulates digestion and an interest in feeding.

4.It helps provide protection against infection.

Getting ready:

As you get ready to breastfeed, consider having pillows handy. They can help take the strain off your back, shoulders or wrists.

Some companies make pillows designed to help position babies during feeding. But regular pillows usually work fine to help position your body, your baby or your breast.

It can help to have washcloths or burp cloths near where you plan to breastfeed for quick clean up. Some people like to have a glass of water within reach or even a snack.

Silencing the phone, setting up other kids with activities and dimming lights can help you and your baby relax and take the time you need for breastfeeding.

Positions:

Cradle hold:

The cradle hold is good for babies of any age. The cradle hold may work best in a chair with armrests.

Hold your baby in the arm on the same side as the breast the baby will feed from.

Rest your baby's head comfortably in the bend of your elbow, facing your breast. It can help to place your arm on the chair's armrest and have a pillow on your lap to lift the baby so you don't need to bend forward.

With the arm that isn't holding the baby, use your hand to support your breast from the underside in a U-shaped hold or a C-shaped hold.

Guide the baby's mouth to your breast. The baby's head should be in line with the baby's body, not turned to the side.

As you try this hold, watch your baby's head. Because you aren't holding the head, it can move around. This might become more of a problem as the baby gets older and becomes easily distracted.

Cradle hold is one of the most common ways to breastfeed. If you have your baby in a sling, cradle hold can work well. So this hold may be a good option if you are away from home or in the middle of an activity.

Cross-cradle hold:

The cross-cradle hold is a good position for breastfeeding newborns. It allows you to control the baby's head.

With this hold, it can help to sit up straight in a comfortable chair with armrests.

Bring your baby across the front of your body, tummy to tummy.

Hold your baby with the arm that's not on the same side as the breast you're feeding from. This means left arm for right breast, and right arm for left breast.

Support the back of the baby's head with your open hand. With the other hand, support your breast from the underside with a U-shaped hold.

Guide the baby's mouth to your breast.

Don't bend over or lean forward. Instead, cradle your baby close to your breast. Try this position if your baby is having trouble attaching to the breast, also called latching. It may give you the control you need to guide the baby into a good latch.

Laid-back position:

The laid-back position works well for newborns. It may work best for people with smaller breast size. For the laid-back position you should be reclined but not lying flat. Support your back with something comfortable and lay the baby on your tummy.

Support your baby's body and head as the baby lies on your tummy just above your breasts.

Using their instincts, babies will move and wiggle to find the nipple.

Support your baby's head as the baby begins to search for your nipple.

Once your baby finds the nipple, don't force the baby to latch. Babies can use gravity to latch onto the nipple without help.

The laid-back position also is good for skin-to-skin contact. And the position can help people who produce more milk than their babies drink, or whose milk is released quickly, called a strong let-down.

Side-lying position:

A side-lying position might be a good choice when you're resting, although it's important to return the baby to the baby's own bed to sleep.

In this position, it can be hard to see how well your baby is latched. So this position may be best once both you and your baby are used to breastfeeding.

Lie on your side with pillows to support your back and head.

Face your baby toward your breast, supporting the baby with one hand.

With the other hand, grasp your breast and touch your nipple to your baby's lips.

Once your baby latches on, use one arm to support your own head and the other to help support the baby and bring the baby close.

To breastfeed using the other breast, you can lift your baby up using a pillow. Or you can turn on your other side and position the baby on this side as you did for the first breast.

Football, also called clutch, hold:

Another option is the football hold, also called the clutch hold. This position might be a good choice if you're recovering from a caesarean birth, also called a C-section, or if you are breastfeeding twins. It also can be good for people with large breasts, flat nipples or a strong let-down.

Hold your baby beside you, with your elbow bent.

With your open hand, support your baby's head with the palm of your hand holding the base of the neck. Your baby's back will rest on your forearm, level with your nipple. It may help to put a pillow under your baby and your arm.

With your other hand, support your breast with a C-shaped hold.

Guide the baby's mouth to your breast.

This hold is great for babies who have very little head control. It also keeps the weight of the baby off the healing scar for people who had a cesarean birth.

Just make sure the baby's chin isn't resting on the baby's chest. There should be room between the baby's chin and the baby's chest so it's easier for the baby to swallow.

Football, also called clutch, hold for nursing twins:

If you have twins, you might choose to breastfeed them separately at first to see how each baby is doing. If you'd rather breastfeed them at the same time, hold one baby in each arm. Your babies' backs will rest on your forearms. For comfort, put pillows on your lap and use a chair with broad, low arms.

How to know your baby is attached correctly:

Signs that your baby is attached correctly:Your baby should have a wide mouthful of breast in their mouth.

• Their chin should be touching your breast.
• You may notice their top and bottom lips curled out.
• Their cheeks should be full and rounded - you should not see the cheeks dimpling when your baby sucks.
• Their jaw should be moving, you may also see their ears twitch as they feed.
• They will start with short quick sucks, then change to long deep sucks with pauses to breathe.
• You should hear them swallowing as your breast milk volume increases.
• You should not hear smacking or clicking sounds.
• They should feed calmly and not move on and off the breast.
• Your baby finishes feeding and seems satisfied.
• You will feel comfortable during a feed and your nipples should not be sore.