How To Hold And Breastfeed Your Baby

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Choose a position that is relaxed and comfortable for you. In all positions, your baby should face you. Pillows, towels, or blankets may be used to support you or your baby. The cradle, cross-cradle, and football holds are common positions for breastfeeding. Breastfeed your baby 8 to 12 times each day or as often as he wants. Your baby is latched on when he is relaxed, taking deep mouthfuls, and you can hear him swallow. If your baby is not latched on well, he may suckle very hard and make your nipple sore. Holding your baby in a good position helps him to get enough milk and prevents problems with your breast.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

How to hold your baby during breastfeeding:

Choose a position that is relaxed and comfortable for you. No matter what position you choose, your baby should be able to tilt his head slightly backward. It should be tilted enough so he can open his mouth wide to suckle your breast. Your baby's hip, torso, shoulder, and head should be in a straight line. In all positions, your baby should be facing you. His nose should be opposite your nipple. Pillows, towels, or blankets may be used to support you or your baby.

• Cradle hold: This is the most common position used to breastfeed a baby. Your baby is supported by the arm closest to the breast you use to feed. His head rests in the bend of your arm, near your elbow. Your other arm and hand can be used to support your breast or the bottom of your baby's body. Bring your baby up to the level of your breast. Your baby will lie on his side, cradled by your arm, with his tummy next to yours.
  
  
• Cross-cradle hold: Your baby is supported, or cradled, by the arm opposite the breast you use to feed. His head is supported with your hand. For example, if you decide to start with your right breast, support his body with your left arm. Use your left hand to support his head. Your right arm and hand can be used to support your breast. The cross-cradle hold is often used when a baby is born early, is very small, or has a weak neck or upper body.
  
  
• Football or underarm hold: This position works best when you are in a sitting position. Your baby will lie on his back. Tuck his body under your arm on the same side as the breast you use to feed. Support your baby's body with your arm and support his head with your hand. This is like holding a football. Support your breast with your other hand.
  
  
• Lean back: Lean back in a chair or recliner. You may also prop yourself up on pillows in bed. Place your baby so that he is lying on your body. He can lie straight down your chest. He can also lie at an angle, or across your chest. He should lie on his stomach with his head at your breast and his body in a line.
  
  
• Lie on your side: Lie down on your side. Place your baby on his side so that he is facing you. Support his back with the arm that is on the same side that you are lying on.
  
  
• Lie on your back: Lie on your back. Place your baby so that he is lying down the middle of your body. He should be lying on his stomach with his head at your breast. This position is helpful if your milk flows faster than your baby can drink. This is because your baby has more control over how much milk he drinks.

How to breastfeed your baby:

Help your baby move his head to reach your breast. Hold his head to help him latch (attach) on to your breast. Touch his top lip, lower lip, or chin with your nipple and wait for him to open his mouth wide. Your baby's lower lip and chin should touch the areola (dark circle around the nipple) first. Help him get as much of the areola in his mouth as possible. You should feel as if your baby will not separate from your breast easily. A correct latch helps your baby get the right amount of milk at each feeding. Allow your baby to breastfeed for as long as he is able.

How often to breastfeed your baby and how to tell when he is ready:

• Breastfeed your baby 8 to 12 times each day or as often as he wants. You may need to wake your baby every three hours during the night to breastfeed. Try to breastfeed from both breasts equally each day. Express your breast milk every 3 to 4 hours if you are away from your baby. Express the milk with your hands or use a breast pump to empty your breasts. Ask your caregiver for more information about expression, collection, and storage of breast milk.
  
  
• Your baby may let you know when he is ready to breastfeed. He may be wide awake and moving his arms and legs more. He may turn his head toward your breast and move his mouth more. He may put his hand up to his mouth and suck his fingers or his fist. Crying is often a late sign that your baby is hungry. Crying may make it hard for him to latch on to your breast. Calm your baby by placing his body against yours, skin-to-skin.

How to tell if your baby is latched on correctly:

• You can hear your baby swallow.
  
  
• Your baby is relaxed and takes slow, deep mouthfuls.
  
  
• Your breast or nipple does not hurt during breastfeeding.
  
  
• Your baby is able to suckle milk right away after he latches on.
  
  
• Your nipple is the same shape when your baby is done breastfeeding.
  
  
• Your breast is smooth, with no wrinkles or dimples where your baby is latched on.

How to tell if your baby is not latched on correctly:

• You hear whistling, clicking, or other noises during breastfeeding.
  
  
• You have nipple or breast pain while breastfeeding.

Co-sleeping:

Co-sleeping is when your baby sleeps with you in bed at night. Co-sleeping may help make breastfeeding easier and more convenient. However, there is a chance that your baby may choke or have trouble breathing. Ask your caregiver for more information on sleeping and safety while breastfeeding.

• Always place your baby on his back on a flat surface. Do not place him on a waterbed, couch, or daybed. Make sure there are no spaces where your baby might be trapped. Avoid placing stuffed animals near your baby. Do not leave your baby alone in bed.
  
  
• Never place your baby on or near a pillow or soft, fluffy bedding. Never cover your baby's head with a blanket or other bedding. Make sure the fitted sheet on the bed fits tightly so your baby cannot get wrapped up in it. Remove all cords, ties, or anything else that your baby may get tangled in. Co-sleeping may be unsafe if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs.

How to care for yourself when breastfeeding:

• Do not smoke: If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. Smoking can decrease the amount of breast milk you make. Smoking harms your body in many ways. You are more likely to have heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and other health problems if you smoke. Quitting smoking will improve your health and the health of those around you. Talk with your caregiver if you smoke and need help to quit.
  
  
• Limit or avoid alcohol: Breastfeed your baby before you drink alcohol. Do not breastfeed your baby for at least 2 to 2 ½ hours after you have one drink. One drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer or four ounces of wine. One ounce of liquor, such as whiskey, is one drink of alcohol. Talk to your caregiver if you drink alcohol and are breastfeeding.
  
  
• Go to all follow-up visits with your caregiver: Ask your caregiver when to return for follow-up visits. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

For more information:

Ask your caregiver for a list of breastfeeding support groups or other resources. Your caregiver may have you see a lactation consultant, to help you with breastfeeding. You can also contact the following:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• Your baby is four or more days old and has fewer than six wet diapers each day.
  
  
• Your baby is four or more days old and has fewer than three stools each day.
  
  
• You feel you are not making enough breast milk for your baby.
  
  
• One or both of your breasts is red, swollen or hard, painful, and feels warm or hot.
  
  
• You see or feel a lump in your breast. The lump may be tender (painful when touched).
  
  
• You are feeling very depressed (deep sadness).
  
  
• You are so tired you do not want to breastfeed any longer.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your baby shows signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, dry skin, fast breathing, or few or no wet diapers. He may also act very tired, irritable or unwell, or he may not be responding to you. He may also have a very fast heartbeat.
  
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.