Advice about nursing positions, suggestions for postioning while you nurse your infant.
Congratulations on your decision to try breast feeding. It is the one perfect food for all babies. It provides them with nutrition as well as antibodies to fight off illness. This article will give you examples of different positions you can try in order to make yourself or baby more comfortable.
The traditional hold is what most women use most of the time. Nestle the baby in the crook of the elbow closest to the breast you will feed from. Use your opposite hand to stimulate baby to suck (stroke his cheek) and to hold your nipple so that baby's nose is free to the air. To get baby to latch on properly stoke his cheek until he opens his mouth wide and then pull him close to you and insert as much of your nipple as you can. If he doesn't latch on properly - it's no big deal. Try again. It make take a few tries until you both get used to it. To break suction insert a finger into his mouth before you remove your nipple.
The football hold is great with smaller babies. Using the arm closest to the breast you wish to feed on scoop up your baby (like a football) so that his legs and lower torso are behind you and his head and shoulders are in front. Use the opposite hand to assist in feeding.
The pillow prop. Using a pillow you can lay your baby into the traditional or football hold. Use the pillow instead of your arm to support the baby. This is especially useful in the football hold if you are nursing twins together.
Sidelying. This is great for middle of the night feedings providing you are not so tired that you will fall asleep. Lay on your side with the desired feeding breast closest to the bed. Lie your baby facing you so that his mouth is even with your breast. It can be hard to get baby to latch on in this position. Many woman begin with the traditional hold and then gently transition into the side lying position.
Breast feeding is not easy to begin for most and many women want to give it up. Make a commitment to try it for two weeks before you quit. It does get easier and gradually becomes second nature. Best of luck.
