How to Breastfeed Successfully for New Mothers

Why Breastfeed?
The importance of breastfeeding cannot be emphasized enough. Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for the child. He deserves the best in everything and why not! Breastfeeding is good for the baby as well as the mom. Apart from increasing the intimacy between mom and child, which is very important, it helps both in many different ways.

For the child, breastfeeding protects him from asthma, gastroenteritis, chest and urinary tract infections and many more. Breast fed babies are healthier and have higher IQ and EQ. They also do not fall ill as often. For mom, breastfeeding offers the best way to gain your pre-pregnancy weight (post partum weight loss), defuses the chances of getting breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Also, it gives your confidence a boost as you get better and better each time in breastfeeding.

It is no easy task, especially for the first time moms. From, positioning to burping, it is a long struggle for some. However, I have detailed some steps that you could follow in order to make the experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Things you will need:

Comfortable sofa / bed / rocking chair ,Plenty of pillows for support, Light music for soothing (optional), Wet Wipes.

Make yourself comfortable. Breastfeeding could take anywhere between 10-45 minutes. Hence, it is important that you are as comfortable as possible. Prop yourself on a comfortable sofa / bed / rocking chair. Place a pillow or two on your back for plenty of support.

Position properly. This is important as this will determine if your breasts are emptied successfully as well prevents sore nipples. Place your baby in such a way that his stomach is in place with yours and his face directly to your breast.

Use your hand to support your baby's head and the other hand to support his buttocks and spine. Prop your baby on a pillow, placed on your lap, so that you do not feel the strain. Note that your baby is able to feel the strain if you have not positioned him properly. This would help lift the strain off your hands and your back especially if the feed is long.

Help your baby to find your nipples. Touch his cheek or nose with your nipples. This would prompt him to turn towards you. If you must, express a little milk into his mouth to arouse his interest. Bring him towards your breast.

Place his chin and lower lip to your breast first. This will help him latch properly. Make sure that much of the areola is in his mouth as this would help him suck the milk faster.

Once the baby has had enough, he would normally stop on his own and unlatch. Otherwise, help him do so by gently placing your index finger / little finger at the side of his mouth and sliding gently.

Normally, breastfed babies do not get air trapped while sucking. However, it is good to burp the baby so as to make sure he is comfortable. Put the baby upright with chin on your shoulder. Gently rub the back downwards for 2-3 minutes. Otherwise, make the baby sit on your lap while supporting the back, and gently rubbing the back downwards. If there is excess milk or if air is trapped, it would get out. If after a few minutes, baby is not burping, leave him as it is not necessary that air is trapped.

Always make sure both of you are comfortable.

For more ideas on making you breastfeeding experience a pleasurable one check this out.