Breastfeeding Tips

For new and first time mums breastfeeding will a totally new experience and some of you will make progress without any complications but for others there may be times when you will have questions or will need help and guidance. Below is not an exchaustive list but one that we felt were the most common issues and we hope that these tips will help to reassure you that you are "normal" and perhaps need to identify the issue and seek help.

Breastfeeding is different to bottle feeding. With breastfeeding the baby's gums have to cover the milk reservoirs, behind the areola (the dark part of the nipple). The baby's tongue pulses along the length of the breast, its rhythmic contractions help to keep the milk spurting, and the nipples itself is right at the back of the baby's mouth. This is described as the baby being latched on.

Relax

That might seem obvious, but it will help. One suggestion to help you is to try feeding your baby with your clothes either tied up out of the way or better still remove your top. It is natural and good to hold your baby next to your skin. Skin to skin contact with your baby is a beautiful experience and will help you bond with your new baby.

Drink

Breastfeeding makes you thirsty so ensure you have a glass of water next to you. Sports bottles are good as you can easily hold them while you feed the baby.

Don't wait for a screaming baby

Your baby doesn't need to be screaming before you feed her. In fact, don't wait too long, or she'll learn she has to scream the house down every time she gets a bit peckish.

Props and positioning

When you first starting breastfeeding your newborn's mouth is very tiny, and you're both just learning how to do this. So, you may need pillows, and props, or special chairs, and even a good quality night light for night feeding.

You may find that you will need to hold your baby differently to other mums that you see breastfeeding. There are three different holds:-

• Transition Hold - this is a very good one for beginners. You can support your breast and guide the baby towards your nipple.

• Cradle Hold - this is slightly more tricky as you have less control

• Rugby Ball Hold - this is where you lay the baby under your armpit. You can guide your breast with your free hand. This position is easy, comfy and useful because you have a hand free.

  In all these positions remember bring the baby to the breast not the other way around.

What it should look and feel like?

It can be difficult to see when a baby is latched on properly, because her whole face is buried in your breast. Don't worry she will be able to breath, but in some cases you may find you need to gently press your breast in towards her to make an airway. Another tip could be to snuggle her bottom in closer to you so that her nose tilts back away from the breast.

It should feel OK, not painful. A little intense feeling maybe, but not sore. Your baby may take a few deep sucks at first, but then they will settle down in a sucking pattern with pauses. Watch for wiggling ears - that's a good sign that she's latched on well and getting some milk.

It feeding does not feel right, break the suction by putting your little finger in the corner of her mouth, take her off, breathe out, relax and try again, You may need to experiment a bit with how you get her on comfortably. No-one expects you to be able to do this right on the first go.

If your baby falls asleep

With practice you may notice that your baby sometimes looks like they have gone to sleep, if they have you can very gently blow on the cheek, tickle their ear lobe, or tickle their feet to sensitively wake them up and remind them that they were feeding. It is probably not surprising that they slip into to sleep mode when they are snuggled up close to you, so you can remove some of their clothes to help keep them awake.

This list of tips is not comprehensive and you should contact your midwife or local breastfeeding counsellor for one to one support and advice to help you prepare and learn how to breastfeed your baby.

Where to next?

• Find out more about how to breastfeed in our breastfeeding section
• Having trouble breastfeeding? Use our problem solver
• Frequently asked questions about breastfeeding - see our experts' answers
• Discuss breastfeeding with other mums on our Feeding discussion board
• National Breastfeeding Week information and features page
• See the babyworld features library