How to properly breastfeed your newborn. Proper attachment during breastfeeding: recommendations, postures.

Often, a young mother does not yet know all the intricacies of feeding a baby, so the question is how to properly feed a newborn breast milk is the most important for her.

Breast milk is a food that is laid down by nature, providing the child with good digestion, stimulates mental development, which can protect the baby from many diseases, and also contributes to the formation of immunity.

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Breastfeeding newborns can cause a lot of fear and anxiety in the early days and weeks.

But trust me, it's simple.

Put a little effort, time, understand the basic laws of breastfeeding, and then you will watch with a smile how your baby gains weight, grows and develops.

Let's agree right away: immediately before feeding, it is not necessary to carry out hygiene procedures, which include cool water, with or without soap. The nipple is also not washed.

Important: On the areola (areola) are the protective glands of Mantgomery. They produce a protective secret that prevents infection of the breast, protects it from overdrying and from cracked nipples.

Application rules

The preparatory stage has already been completed, and now you need to figure out how to properly attach a newborn baby when feeding.

The first thing to do is get comfortable. Feeding a newborn in the first weeks after birth is a long process. The child can spend from 10 to 60 minutes at the breast, perfectly combining feeding and sleep.

An equally important problem is the formation of cracks, due to which feeding becomes a rather painful process.

To prevent their formation, you can use your milk, which has antibacterial properties, and lubricate the breast after each feeding.

Thanks to the special substances that make up breast milk, the healing process is much faster, and new inflammation is also prevented.

Favorable postures for feeding

Choosing a position for feeding is an equally important issue for a young mother. There are a lot of options for the location of mother and baby, the main condition is convenience and comfort, because the process can take up to 15 minutes, as a result of which, instead of pleasure, mother will receive Bad mood and pain in the back or arm.

How to properly apply a newborn for feeding can be seen in the photo.

Each mother has her own ideal position in which she is comfortable feeding her baby, enjoying this process. But while there is no experience in this matter, you can experiment a little and try feeding in a lying or sitting position.

So, how to properly apply a newborn for feeding lying down?

Start feeding by lying on your side. The child is located next to the mother in the same position. The prepared breast is sent to the child's mouth.

This feeding option will be very convenient while the mother has not yet fully recovered from childbirth. On which side to lie, only the mother decides, especially since in the process of feeding the breast is given alternately: right or left. If the previous feeding ended in right chest, then the beginning of the next meal should start from the left.


You can use the posture in a sitting position. This feeding option is popular among many mothers, but for this you need to know how to properly apply a newborn for sitting feeding?

Mom can sit either on the edge of the bed, hanging her legs down, or with her back against the wall. In this case, the legs must be placed on the pillow. This will allow you to comfortably attach the child, placing him under the chest.

In addition, this position allows you to experiment with the position of the baby. You can put the baby legs along the abdomen or armpit.

Such feeding is especially convenient for mothers of twins, which is due to the simultaneous feeding of two babies at once.

Baby feeding frequency

In order not to be mistaken, and not to leave the baby hungry, you need to know how often to feed a newborn with breast milk. Following current trends who practice "", it is necessary to attach the baby at his first request and not take him away until he wants to. In this case, the production of milk in the breast will be exactly as much as it is necessary for your baby.

Important: This principle of feeding is only suitable for breastfeeding, since artificial mixtures have more long term assimilation.

See also my video on on-demand feeding:

Is the baby getting enough milk?

It must be remembered that all children are individual, therefore, to answer the question of how to determine what a mother should, watching her baby.

It is impossible to overfeed the baby with breast milk, he will eat exactly as much as he needs to saturate.

The break between feedings can be from 15 minutes to 2 hours. The signal for feeding will be a whim, crying, opening the baby's mouth (as if he is looking for a nipple). By applying the crumbs to the chest on demand, you will save your nerves and make life easier for the baby.

In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the weight of the baby, or rather to his increase in a month. If the child has gained from 500 grams or more, then the child is eating enough milk.

The birth of a baby is greatest miracle in the world. And most of all, a tiny and defenseless creature needs a mother and her milk. Pediatricians around the world constantly urge women to breastfeed, because the composition of milk is so ideal for a child that there is no complete analogue to it. But every year more and more women are faced with lactation problems and sometimes it’s not possible to save food for the baby at all, or the breastfeeding period barely lasts up to six months. Why it happens? Doctors say that most often the fault is the wrong behavior of women in labor. That is why it is important for young mothers to know how to breastfeed properly, how to properly attach the baby to the breast. Here is an article that will definitely answer this and some other questions (what is important to pay attention to during breastfeeding, how to better understand the needs of the baby, how to avoid common mistakes and the troubles that follow them) and will allow you, like your baby, to receive from breastfeeding only positive emotions.

How to properly breastfeed a newborn baby

Proper attachment is the golden rule for continued success

One of the most important points that determine the course of the entire subsequent process of breastfeeding, we can confidently call the first attachment of the baby. Failure here is fraught with a negative reaction from both the mother and the baby, who can easily refuse to breastfeed. Most modern maternity hospitals can boast of medical assistance in the matter of the first feeding. But, unfortunately, there are also reverse cases. Therefore, it is important for every woman to know the basic principles of properly applying crumbs to her breast. How to properly apply to the chest:

  • Choose a comfortable position, bearing in mind that feeding can last quite a long time and you should not get tired. You can feed the baby in different positions and, as a rule, every woman chooses for herself the one that she likes. But the baby during the whole process must be with his tummy to his mother, and his face must be turned to the nipple. In addition, the baby's head should not be rigidly fixed so that he can adjust the position of the nipple in his mouth and can inform his mother about the end of feeding. (Material with photo and video);
  • The nose of the newborn should be close enough to the chest, but not drown in it, because if the baby reaches for the nipple, then there is a high probability of its superficial capture. Women with full breasts should be especially careful;
  • Remember, the baby must take the nipple on their own. You don't have to put it in his mouth. Otherwise, the same incorrect capture will be ensured and the problems that follow this too. If the baby grabbed only the tip of the nipple, then by gently pressing on the chin, the mother can always free herself.

Video: poses for feeding:

Breast grab: how to find the truth


But how to understand that the baby took the breast correctly? To do this, just pay attention to the feeding process itself. It should look like this:

  • The baby captures both the areola and the nipple, while his lips turn outward;
  • The baby's nose is tightly pressed against the mother's breast, but does not sink into it;
  • No sound is heard during sucking. extraneous sounds except for sips;
  • Mom does not experience any discomfort in the process.

Photo gallery

(Pictures are clickable)


Popular questions

Do I need a schedule

The feeding schedule is another stumbling block for absolutely all young mothers. From the older generation, you can hear that you need to feed the baby strictly by the hour. Modern pediatricians have recognized this technique as ineffective and unanimously repeat that feed the newborn on demand! All because the amount of milk eaten by the baby is directly proportional to its production. That's why, The more the baby breastfeeds, the more successful the mother's lactation will be..

How much to feed

But if we talk about the duration of feeding, then there are no clear boundaries here. It all depends on individual abilities and wishes of the child. But it can be said that healthy newborn must actively breastfeed for at least 30 minutes. The maximum time is determined by the children themselves.

  • The amount of time at the breast each baby is determined individually. Some babies breastfeed more actively, fill up quickly and let go. Other babies suckle slowly and can often be seen sleeping at the breast. But if you try to take out the nipple, they start sucking again. To wake up such a baby, you can slightly remove the nipple, or touch it on the cheek;
  • The duration of the entire period of breastfeeding is determined by the desire of the mother to breastfeed the baby, as well as from general conditions family life (food, the need to go to work, and so on);
  • Usually, at the beginning of lactation, the baby is given a breast. up to 10 times / day. Gradually, when the baby grows up, the diet is reduced - up to 7-8 times per day.

Fed up or not

A happy baby is a happy baby. This is an undeniable truth. If the baby is full, he either just let go of his chest, or just fell asleep. BUT to understand that the child is full in general, there are several signs:

  • the baby himself lets go of the breast after eating;
  • evenly adds weight and height;
  • is active and sleeps well;

One or two servings

Only one breast should be given per feeding. Subsequently - another and so alternate them. Such tactics will allow the mammary glands to establish the correct supply of milk to the child. Sucking on one breast provides the baby with both “front” liquid milk, which acts as a drink, and “back” thick milk, which contains most of the nutrients. However, if the child is not full, then you can offer him a second breast.

But it also happens that the mother's milk production is not as significant as the baby needs. Especially this problem can overtake a woman in labor along with sharp jumps in the growth of the child (2 months of age). Then, in one feeding, it is advisable for the mother to give the baby both breasts so that he still has enough milk. But to think that if the breast is soft, then there is no or little milk in it, it is wrong. If a woman in labor sees that the child is eating from one breast, but just in case she offers him the second, then this approach can adversely affect the baby. After all, the baby is easy to overfeed.

How often to feed

How often should a baby be fed if overfeeding is still possible? Here it all comes down, again, to the requirement of the baby. After all, if he eats well, he will simply not be able to get hungry faster than in 2-3 hours! But if the baby asks for breasts more often, then his demand for milk should be satisfied. After all, he could just not eat up last time. That is why, on-demand feeding is a red thread of the whole process of breastfeeding these days.

Suddenly overfeed

Many mothers are afraid to feed the baby to irreversible consequences. The main thing is not to panic. Although it is not difficult to overfeed the child, he will definitely burp everything superfluous. Therefore, health will not suffer in any way.

Will it be able to digest

If the baby eats too often, will the milk have time to be digested? There is no reason for concern here at all. Mother's milk is so perfectly balanced for the baby that the tiny organism does not need to spend special efforts on its digestion. Milk almost immediately enters the intestines, where it is digested very quickly.

Crying and feeding

In the practice of young mothers, there are every case. Including a baby crying at the chest. And the question “how to breastfeed a baby if he cries a lot” arises by itself. In this case, you need to try to somehow calm the baby: cuddle him, shake his arms, talk affectionately. If the baby cries because he cannot take the breast, then you can squeeze a drop of milk into his mouth or touch the nipple to his lips or cheek. The breast is the best sedative for any crumbs. Therefore, forcing her to take her, mother does not have to take a long time.

How to take away

With so many references to how to breastfeed correctly and often, it is important to remember the advice on how to properly wean a baby. In order for the process not to cause discomfort to the mother and not provoke further problems (cracked nipples, for example), the breast should be removed only after the baby has let it go. To do this, you can gently press the chin (as mentioned above), or you can insert the little finger into the corner of the baby's mouth and turn it half a turn. This simple manipulation will force the child to open his mouth. Then the chest can be safely removed.

Milk stasis - what to do

The fact that the process of breastfeeding is not always smooth, probably all women know. It happens that the baby does not have time to eat everything and the milk stagnates. At the same time, the chest becomes simply “stone”. If you do not pay attention to this, then you can earn a subsequent operation. How to respond correctly if the problem is still discovered? If there are lumps in the chest or, in addition to this, the temperature has also risen, then you need to act urgently. At this moment, they will help: massage under a warm shower, or offering a breast to a baby (he, by the way, is the best healer in such situations) and compresses from cabbage leaf with honey. Massage is important to do carefully, without the risk of damage to the chest. And compresses need to be applied after each meal of the baby. If these manipulations do not bring an obvious effect, and the temperature does not subside for several days, then it is tedious to consult a doctor.

The main thing is common sense

Very often, young mothers, nevertheless, so literally perceive absolutely all the information that can only be heard, what they do typical mistakes . For example, these:

  • Washing the breast before each feeding. In fact, morning and evening toilet for this part of the body is more than enough. Otherwise, you can wash off the protective lubricant that protects the breast from the growth of bacteria.
  • Holding the breast with hands during feeding. Such behavior can provoke stagnation of milk in places of contact with the mother’s hand, which must be categorically avoided.
  • Supplementing the baby with baby tea or water. Both drink and food for the baby are mother's milk!
  • Refusal of breastfeeding and switching to artificial in case of cracked nipples or a cold. For painless feeding, it is worth using special silicone nipple covers. And in order not to be afraid of catching a cold, you just need to wear a mask.

This is not a complete list of possible mistakes of young mothers. And every question that worries a woman in labor is better to ask the doctor right away.

Video instruction: breastfeeding rules:

Having completed the feeding process (its end means that the baby began to release the nipple often, turn his head, or fell asleep at all), you need to express the remaining milk. It is recommended to decant into a small clean container with clean, dry hands. Today, there are many different ones, but they should be used carefully, as they can injure the tender nipple.

  • Breastfeeding should be started from birth (in the first hours after childbirth), this is how milk production is stimulated;
  • If the child is hungry, then he himself is looking for breasts, opens his mouth and smacks his lips. But if he does not do this, the mother herself can put the nipple to the baby's lips, then he will immediately take the nipple;
  • It is necessary that the baby captures the nipple and areola in the mouth;
  • When giving a breast to a child, you need to pay attention to the fact that the cheeks and nose should fit snugly against the chest;
  • It is better not to apply the baby to two breasts in one feeding, because in this case the baby will receive only foremilk, not as useful as hindmilk. The baby should suck one breast completely to the end.

In order to properly start the mechanism of milk production, it is necessary to attach the newborn to the breast as early as possible. To date, the time interval from the moment of birth to the first meal of a newborn child is about two hours. The first attachment to the breast is very important for subsequent feedings, since it is at this moment that the baby's habits and the correct grip on the nipple are laid, which ensures comfortable suckling.

What features should be considered

  1. Maternal nutrition: the first days you need to include foods rich in fiber; do not abuse sugar. Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited. It is better to exclude or limit allergenic foods in the menu, such as nuts, eggs, citrus fruits, and so on. (Read about what).
  2. During feeding, one should not be distracted by the TV and other extraneous stimuli, as the connection between the mother and the baby is broken; periodically (up to 3 times) you need to give the baby to burp, and after feeding, hold him upright in order to avoid colic.
  3. You can not breastfeed in case of serious diseases of the mother (open form of tuberculosis, kidney failure, AIDS, various infectious diseases) or the child (Rhesus factor incompatibility, prematurity with no sucking reflex, diseases of the central nervous system, breathing).
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    Video guide for HW

    Watch a video on the topic of proper breastfeeding:

The birth of a child is one of the greatest miracles in the world. At first, the baby most of all needs the mother and her milk. The composition of human milk is ideal for normal development child, so children's doctors strongly recommend breastfeeding. However, many new mothers face problems: they are unable to maintain lactation, which reduces the period of breastfeeding to only a few months. Unfortunately, there are no analogues to breast milk, therefore, as a result, the child does not receive all the substances he needs. Pediatricians note that the most common cause of lactation disorders is the wrong behavior of a young inexperienced mother. Therefore, it is so important to know how to feed the baby and how to properly apply it to the breast.

In this article, you will find answers to many important questions: how to understand the needs of the baby, what are the most common mistakes mothers of infants make, and how to avoid the negative consequences of these mistakes. This information will help to establish feeding and will enable both mother and child to experience only joy and pleasure from this unique process.

Proper application is the basis for continued success

Proper attachment of a newborn to the breast is one of the main factors that determine the success of the feeding process. If you make a mistake at this stage, then you cannot avoid negative consequences for both the mother and the child. For example, due to frequent incorrect attachments, a child may refuse mother's milk.

Of course, in almost all maternity hospitals, medical staff assists mothers during the first feeding. However, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with how to properly attach the baby to the breast, even before childbirth.

So, what is the right way to apply the baby to the breast? The process is carried out in several stages:

  • Feeding can last quite a long time, up to several hours. Therefore, at the first stage, it is important to take the most comfortable position: you should not get tired quickly. You can feed your baby in almost any position. The child should be turned to the mother with his stomach, and his face should be located near the chest. You can’t fix the baby’s head: he must choose his own position and be able to tell his mother that he has had enough.
  • The baby's nose should be close to the chest, but do not press it too hard. Especially careful should be women who have big size breasts: the baby will be forced to reach for the nipple, which will cause it to be caught incorrectly.
  • It is important that the child must take the nipple into his mouth on his own. In no case should you put the nipple in the baby's mouth: this is fraught with an incorrect grip, which means a lot of unpleasant problems in the future. If the baby takes only the tip of the nipple into his mouth, the mother should gently release it by gently pressing on the newborn's chin.


It can be difficult for new mothers to know if the baby has been able to latch on properly. However, this is quite simple to do: just look at how the feeding process is carried out. If you managed to achieve the correct capture, then feeding will look like this:

  • In the mouth of the child will be not only the nipple, but also the areola, while the lips of the child turn slightly outwards.
  • The baby's nose is pressed quite tightly against the chest, but does not sink into it completely.
  • The child does not make any sounds except for sips.
  • The mother does not feel discomfort or pain.


Should I feed my baby on a schedule?

The question of whether to follow a feeding schedule is faced by almost all new mothers. Representatives of the older generation confidently declare that you need to feed the baby on a schedule. However, you should not listen to these tips: doctors assure that it is necessary to feed the child not according to a certain strict schedule, but when he requires it.

The fact is that the amount of milk produced directly depends on the volume drunk by the child. Therefore, the more often the baby is applied to the breast, the less likely it is that there will be any problems with lactation.

How long should the baby stay at the breast?

Many are concerned about the question of how long to feed a child. There are no clear limits here: the time depends on the needs of the baby. but healthy child should actively suckle the breast for at least half an hour. The maximum time is individual for each baby.

In general, there are three main points to consider:

  • The amount of time a baby spends at the breast varies from person to person. For example, there are children who breastfeed quite actively and are quickly satiated. Naturally, in this case, feeding does not take much time. Other babies suckle slowly and even fall asleep at the breast. To wake the baby, it is enough to touch his cheek or gently pull the nipple.
  • The total breastfeeding time is determined both by the desire of the mother herself and by the living conditions of the family, for example, the need to start work and other factors.
  • As a rule, newborns are breastfed up to 10 times during the day. When the child begins to grow up, the number of feedings is gradually reduced.

How can you tell if your baby has received enough milk?

There is one indisputable truth: a well-fed child is always happy. Having eaten, the baby either lets go of the breast on its own, or falls asleep. To understand that the child no longer needs milk, you can by the following signs:

  • The baby releases the nipple on its own each time.
  • There is a uniform increase in both weight and height.
  • The baby is quite active and has no problems sleeping.

Should I give both breasts while breastfeeding?

In the process of feeding, you should give the baby only one breast. During the next feeding, you need to give another one and thus alternate them. Such a strategy will make it possible to establish proper lactation in both mammary glands. One breast provides the baby with both fore, light milk, which the baby gets drunk with, and hind milk, which is thicker and more nutritious, containing a large amount of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Of course, if the baby is not full on one breast, then you need to give him another.

Some women do not produce enough milk and the baby does not eat enough from one breast. Often this happens at those moments when the child has a jump in weight or height, for example, after reaching two months of age. During such periods, both breasts should be given to the child.

Do not believe the opinion that there is no milk in the soft breast or it is not enough. If the child is full by all indications, you should not try to give him a second breast.

How often should you breastfeed your baby?

How many times do you need to feed a child so that he does not overeat? It is necessary to be guided by the desires of the child himself. If the baby has received enough milk, then he will begin to experience hunger in two or three hours. If the child asks for breasts more often, he should not be denied, because he might not have received the required amount of milk during the last feeding. Feeding on demand is the key to success: you should forever forget the feeding strictly on schedule imposed by the older generation.

What to do if the child is overfed?

Many young mothers are afraid that the child will be fed. However, this should not be feared. Of course, the baby can drink too much milk, but he will simply vomit everything that is superfluous, so his health will in no way be at risk.

Will the milk have time to be digested before the next feeding?

Many mothers worry that if the baby eats too often, then the milk will not have time to be digested before the next feeding. However, do not be afraid, because mother's milk has an ideal composition for the baby, so it is digested easily and quickly.

Feeding and crying

What to do if the baby is crying and needs to be breastfed? First of all, there is no need to panic: hold the child close to you, shake him a little, talk to him. If the crying is caused by the fact that the baby is unable to capture the breast, you need to squeeze some milk into his mouth or touch the nipple to the cheek or lips. Breasts are great at soothing babies, so you don't usually have to "persuade" your baby to take them for a long time.

How to properly breastfeed?

It is important to learn not only to give the breast correctly, but also to take it away correctly. If you do it wrong, then mom can feel quite discomfort, much more serious problems are possible, for example, cracked nipples. To avoid these troubles, you should wait until the baby himself releases the nipple from his mouth. If he does not, gently press your finger on the child's chin. There is another way: you should insert the little finger into the corner of the baby's mouth and gently pull. This technique will force the baby to open his mouth, after which the chest can be removed.

What to do in case of milk stagnation?

It is difficult to find young mothers who do not face certain problems in the process of breastfeeding. For example, if a child does not drink all the milk, it begins to stagnate. The chest becomes firm to the touch. Often, stagnation is accompanied by an increase in body temperature and painful sensations. If you ignore this symptom, mastitis cannot be avoided, which, in turn, is fraught with the need for a surgical operation.

What to do if you notice stagnation of milk? You need to act immediately. At the initial stage, breast massage in the shower, gentle expression of milk or the attachment of the baby to the breast will be effective. A compress of cabbage leaf and honey will also help. Massage the chest should be very careful: massage should not cause pain and discomfort. The compress should be done every time after the child has eaten. If within a few days all these actions do not alleviate the condition of the mother, it is necessary to go to the hospital.


New moms are faced with a plethora of information about how to breastfeed their baby. Often, an uncritical attitude to the advice received leads to making mistakes, the most common of which will be described below:

  • Washing the breast on the eve of attaching a child to it. You should not do this: it is quite enough to take a shower in the morning and in the evening. Too much passion hygiene procedures leads to the fact that the special lubricant is washed off the nipples, which protects them from injury.
  • The chest must be supported by the hand. In this case, milk stagnation may occur in places that are in contact with the hand.
  • The child should be given water or weak tea. Mother's milk contains all the necessary substances: the baby not only eats up, but also drinks plenty of it.
  • With colds or cracks on the nipples, you need to switch to mixtures. If the mother has a cold, then to protect the baby during feedings, it is worth wearing a medical mask: this is quite enough, since pathogenic bacteria do not penetrate the milk. Special silicone pads on the chest will protect against cracks.

This is far from full list mistakes that a new mother can make. If you have any other problems, you should consult your doctor.

Establishment of lactation

Immediately after the baby has eaten, the remaining milk should be expressed. A clean container is used for pumping, before the procedure you need to wash your hands thoroughly. To date, in pharmacies you can see a wide range of breast pumps, but you should resort to them only as a last resort, since breast pumps injure the thin skin of the nipples.

Exist general rules breastfeeding your baby:

  • It is necessary to give the breast a few hours after the baby was born, as this stimulates lactation.
  • If the baby is hungry, he will try to find the nipple by opening his mouth and smacking his lips. If the baby is not trying to find the breast, it is necessary to attach the nipple to his lips.
  • The baby should capture not only the nipple, but also the areola.
  • The cheeks and nose of the baby should be pressed tightly enough to the chest.
  • It is not necessary to give both breasts at one feeding: it is enough for the child to completely drink all the milk from one breast.

The newborn should be breastfed as early as possible. In modern maternity hospitals, the first feeding occurs a couple of hours after birth. The first feeding is of utmost importance, because it is at this time that the correct nipple grip reflex will form, which will be the key to successful breastfeeding in the future.

How should a breastfeeding mother behave?

There are rules that a nursing mother should follow:

  • In the first days after childbirth, you need to eat foods that contain a lot of fiber. But a large amount of sugar is best avoided. Give up tobacco and alcohol, as well as limit the use of foods that can cause allergies (citrus fruits, eggs, etc.).
  • Do not be distracted by the TV or computer during feeding: in the first months of life, it is at this moment that mother and baby communicate, so you should focus all your attention on the child.
  • It is necessary to give the baby the opportunity to burp, and after feeding, keep him in a column, which is the prevention of abdominal pain.
  • It is worth giving up breastfeeding if the mother suffers from a serious illness (AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, etc.).

Correct attachment

A small "manual" on how to properly attach a newborn baby when feeding. We invite you to familiarize yourself with useful tips to follow while breastfeeding your baby. Mom is average and index finger holds the breast, pulling it away so that the baby does not have difficulty in breathing due to excessive pressure on the mammary gland.

The breast that the mother holds should be carefully placed in the child's mouth. Try to hit the nipple so that the baby can grab onto the areola.

  • Before feeding, it is better to express a few drops of milk;
  • After feeding - thoroughly wash the area around the nipple with soapy water;
  • It is best if you lubricate the nipple with petroleum jelly to avoid cracking the skin;
  • We cover the place where the baby has stuck with a piece of sterile tissue;

What is the correct position for a mother while breastfeeding?

Since the feeding process is long, it is best for mom to take as much as possible comfortable position. Also, this position should provide a woman with the opportunity to keep the baby's head on her chest for a long time. As a rule, there are no specific positions. Mom chooses a comfortable one for herself: lying, sitting, half-sitting, standing, reclining.

What should be the position of the child during feeding

Before you start feeding the baby, you need to turn his head to your chest. The baby's nose should be kept level with the nipple, the baby's head turned slightly to the side.

And if you know how to properly apply a newborn for feeding while sitting, then you probably understand that while feeding a baby, you need to hold the baby completely. And not just the shoulders and his head. The nose of the newborn should be at the same level with the mother's nipple, and the head should be slightly turned to the side.

After feeding is over, do not forget to hold the baby for several minutes in a horizontal position. So, the air that has entered the baby's ventricle will come out of it. And then - put the baby on its side. Thanks to this position, the baby will be able to spit up, and the baby will not have aspiration (milk will not enter the lungs and airways).

Grab your chest so that four fingers are underneath and your thumb is on top of your chest. Do not know how to apply a newborn when feeding? Then read this text further.

Watch the position of your hand so that your fingers are as far away from the nipple as possible and the area around it. Often, the baby is "lost" and does not open his mouth. Therefore, you need to help the newborn, and touch the nipple to his lips. Then the baby will reflexively “twist” his lips into a tube and reach for your chest. His tongue is in the back of his mouth.

Make sure that the child grabs not only the nipple, but also the areola of the nipple. The correct position of the lips during feeding is that the lower lip is below the nipple, and the chin touches the breast. Are you afraid that the baby will "eat" your breasts? Remember, if you follow all the recommendations on how to properly hold a newborn while feeding, then the baby’s lips will not put pressure on the nipple itself, but on the areola around it. Thanks to this, feeding will be painless and completely enjoyable for mom and baby.

Correct positions for feeding a newborn

After the birth of the baby, a few positions (2-3) will be enough for the “newly made” mother: during the day it is “Cradle”, “From under the arm”, and at night - “On the arm of the mother”. A little later, as mom is already getting comfortable with breastfeeding baby, then she will be able to “experiment” a little and choose the most convenient positions for both herself and the child. A feeding “guru” is when a mother knows how to feed and rock at the same time, or feeds a baby on the go. And now a little more about the poses themselves:

  1. Cradle

A kind of "classic of the genre." Pay attention to the position of the baby in space - his tummy is gently pressed against the mother's stomach. The head can be positioned so that its mouth is directly opposite the nipple. So that mom's hands do not get tired, you can put a pillow under the baby. Or sit comfortably in an armchair where you can put your feet on some kind of elevation - a bench, a stool, a basin, and so on. This will make it a little easier to hold the crumbs.

If you feed little man in bed, we advise you to lean on her back, placing a pillow under your lower back. The legs can be slightly bent at the knees, which will also allow you to shift some of the baby's weight and lift him to the chest.

  1. cross cradle

This is another common version of the first pose, but in this case- Mom will be able to more carefully control the process of attachment to the nipple. By placing the child under the right hand of the mother, you can help the child “fix” near the chest, holding the head of the crumbs with the palm of your hand and pointing towards the chest. The free hand puts the nipple in the baby's mouth so that he can properly grasp the "mother's breast". If you feel that the baby is comfortable to suck on and does not hurt, you can change hands to a more comfortable "cradle" option.

  1. From under the arm

In the American version, this pose is called "soccer ball". And all because the mother holds the child in the same way as rugby players - holding the baby under the armpit.

In order to master this pose, you will need several pillows on which you can put the baby. Important to consider main principle feeding - the baby's mouth should be at the level of the mother's nipple. And then the woman's back will not get tired during feeding. This position is also good because it is suitable for learning to attach to the nipple. Moreover, this position must be used at least once a day so that the milk comes out well from the lower and lateral lobes of the breast.

And this is not the end of comfortable positions for feeding a newborn. Read on!

  1. On mom's hand

This pose is amazing in that it helps both mom and baby relax at the same time. Sit on the bed, with mommy's head on the pillow, shoulders down on the surface of the bed. Mom holds the baby so that the child lies on its side. Carefully monitor attachment to the nipple.

This pose is ideal to use at night. She will help her to be calm, because if she can doze off calmly, without fear that she will fall on the child. To make it much more comfortable, you can put another pillow under your back. Additional support will make breastfeeding as comfortable as possible. You can connect your husband to night feeding, let him create support for you and hug you from behind.

  1. Lying on a pillow

A mom who has already experienced and become a “master” of standard poses can try something new, unusual. For example, breastfeeding lying on top. To make mommy and baby comfortable, put the baby on a pillow. Mom, on the other hand, holds her head with her hand, and lies down on the pillow. Remember to hold the child with your free hand.

  1. The kid is standing

Feeding in a standing position is popular for those babies who already know how to stand on their feet. This position is used more for "snacking", and not for prolonged feeding. So, for example, you can calm the baby, balance his mood after a nightmare. For basic feedings, it is better to use the above positions.

  1. baby sitting

Experienced babies who are already half a year old love to drink mother's milk while sitting in their arms. They like to look at their mother, communicate with her without letting the nipple out of their mouth. The baby's handle can be held so that the baby does not "fight" and does not play with the second breast.

What to do if the chest hurts during feeding

If pain occurs when feeding a newborn, then try the following: simple rules that will make breastfeeding a simple and easy process:

  • Relax before feeding. If the baby behaves restlessly, cries, then raises the tongue, which makes it difficult to feed.
  • Remember, proper application breastfeeding- this is the main rule that any nursing mother must adhere to.
  • Do not move your breasts during feeding, as you do when feeding a baby from a bottle. The child will scream and be indignant, as well as "suck" the nipple.
  • Attach the baby to the breast gently and lightly. No need to press, otherwise the child will turn out, fight, which will complicate feeding.
  • If during feeding you feel pain, then this means that the child did not attach correctly. Touch your baby's lips and he will open his mouth wide. And then put the nipple in his mouth again.
  • When feeding a child, the breasts are changed. If there is not enough milk from one, then you should supplement the baby from the other breast. The next feeding should be started from the breast from which the child last drank.

How often should a baby be fed?

The child should be fed when he asks for it. But mom needs to distinguish when the baby cries to eat, and when - for some other reason. In the first days of life, the child is incredibly hungry, and is ready to be applied to the mother's breast 10-14 times a day. And after two or three weeks, the baby has an individual diet. On average, a child under one year old eats every 2-3 hours.

  • In the first month - 8-12 times a day.
  • In the second, third month - 6-8 times.
  • FROM fourth month the number of "approaches" is reduced to six times a day.
  • You should not arrange a child "night diet". You need to feed your baby at night and this is extremely important.

What should you do if it hurts to breastfeed your baby? If there are cracks and abrasions on the chest? What if the child does not suck well at the breast, does not open his mouth? How to deal with all this? Put an end to breastfeeding? Or feed through tears for several months? To endure abrasions, cracks, pain for the sake of the child?

A thousand times no! Well-wishers will tell you that you have bad breasts, undeveloped ducts, uncomfortable nipples. And in general, stop torturing the child. It’s her own fault, it was necessary to prepare the nipples and breasts for childbirth.

But we are already scientists. We already know that . During feeding, the nipples will not become rough, but will become even more sensitive, which will give you a lot of pleasant minutes.

It doesn't matter what the mother's breasts are. Under each breast and nipple your child. It is enough to learn how to properly attach the baby to the chest. With proper application, there is no pain, cracks and abrasions. There is a pleasant contact with the baby, mutual pleasure.

Portal website prepared for you detailed instructions by applying to the chest. We hope that this will help mothers, even in cities where there are no breastfeeding consultants, to cope with all the difficulties. You are already familiar with our heroines. Mom Svetlana is an experienced breastfeeding consultant and sling consultant. And her daughter Arina.

1. Sit comfortably and relaxed. Behind the back can be a support.

3. To ensure a comfortable position, it is better to take newborns in a "cross cradle". You press the ass with your elbow, the body lies on the forearm, and with your thumb and forefinger you hold the child at the base of the skull (bones behind the ears). Do not fix the back of the head - the children begin to get nervous under the breast.
You hold the baby with one hand, and the other is free for you to breastfeed.

5. Give your baby a comfortable breast. If we feed on the left breast, then we hold the baby right hand, and the chest is served with the left.

7. With the lower border of the areola, touch the lower lip of the child (there is a button for opening the mouth on it), trying not to touch upper lip(it has a button to close the mouth). Let's stimulate a little.

9. When the child opened his mouth, you need to combine two movements. Breast into the child, and the child into the chest. We press the child strongly enough to the breast so that the nipple enters deeply. Movement towards you and up.
10. When the baby has taken the breast, you can take him to the usual "cradle". And keep comfortable. If the nose is pressed to the chest, then press it with your tummy closer to you, and tilt your head a little more. The nose will open. Do not make a hole for the nose - this is
Support your baby's entire body throughout the feeding, not just the neck and shoulders.

12. Signs of proper attachment:
. The mouth is wide open and relaxed. The lips are turned outward, especially the lower one. The chin touches the mother's breast.
. The nipple is deep in the baby's mouth.
. The cheeks are rounded, not drawn in.
. The tongue may be visible above the lower lip.
. Mom doesn't feel bad.
. The baby sucks silently.

13. Signs of WRONG attachment:

The child chews only the nipple
. The child's mouth is not wide open, the lips are retracted.
. The lips and gums are pressed against the nipple, not the areola.
. The tongue is not positioned correctly, preventing the nipple from reaching the baby's mouth.
. Cheeks are drawn in.
. Mom hurts to feed the baby.
. Mom hears clatter and smacking sounds.

Perhaps, when you try, this method of application may seem uncomfortable to you. In fact, it's just a matter of habit. This method is good because we do not interfere with the child with our hands, we give the baby the opportunity to really open his mouth wide and take the chest deeply.

If you are feeding your baby in a different way, but everything is fine, do not worry. Best the enemy of the good. Mom should not have a goal to make a perfect attachment. Both you and the baby are comfortable - it means you just found your way. All perfectly!

In the case when it is painful for the mother to feed, they appear in the chest, the child often burps with a sound, gains weight poorly, cannot suckle, you need to think about fixing the attachment. The method described by us is quite suitable. Maybe at first it will be unusual for you to feed in this way or the baby will not like something. Be consistent and confident in your actions.

Read the "instruction" in detail. Work it out step by step without a child, for example, on a roller, a teddy bear or a doll. Pay attention to the fact that it is necessary not only to put the breast into the baby's mouth, but also to move the baby to the chest. Then try to repeat these actions with the baby in your arms (if you feel confident, you can train right away with the child). After a couple of feedings, your hands will do what they need.

Remember that all children are different. Some learn the new way instantly. Others (especially those who are used to feeding differently) may resent a little. Here again, the consistency and confidence of the mother will be required. Just give the breast as you see fit. This is your breast, so you decide how to handle it. At this age, habits change quickly. Within a day, the baby will respond favorably to the new application. Especially when he appreciates that it is easier to suck and more milk comes in.

In the next article, we will show and tell you how to feed a newborn lying down in a way that is comfortable for both him and his mother.
Good luck to you! Take care of your children!