Other considerations when breastfeeding
If you're contemplating breastfeeding your baby, it's important that you know how to do it correctly.
To begin with, it is important to appreciate that a baby will not receive milk properly, if he is not ‘latched on’ correctly. A baby will often know instinctively how to latch on to his mother’s breast, especially if he has been positioned properly, but if he is in an awkward or inappropriate position, then he will probably find it very hard. Some shapes of breast may make it more of a challenge for the inexperienced baby to latch on to properly, and when he cannot latch on problems arise. The baby may become frustrated because he is not receiving an efficient supply of the milk he needs to fill up his tummy and the mother may experience sore nipples and other discomfort. (See How often should I feed my baby?)
Subsequently, the positioning of the baby to the breast is everything. The first thing to recognise is that the baby needs more than just your nipple in his mouth. Depending on the size of your areola (the dark skin surrounding your nipple), he will usually need to have your whole nipple and all or most of your areola inside his mouth. This means he will be latched on to quite a big section of your breast and the clamp of his jaws combined with the pull of his sucking should mean that he can access the area behind the nipple where the milk is stored.
His nose should be touching the skin of your breast. Do not think he is going to suffocate; if he is having trouble breathing, he will let you know about it. Besides, this is what he was designed to do in order to survive. It would be a bit strange if babies were put under any risk through doing the thing that ensures their survival! A baby latched on and feeding properly should have his lip pulled slightly back, with the tongue positioned underneath, rather than above, the nipple itself. In addition, his mouth should be level with the nipple and your nipple should go straight in to his mouth without becoming crooked. The best way to reach this desired position is to have your baby’s body on its side (on your lap) but propped up underneath to get to the right height with a couple of pillows.
If you make sure that you change your baby’s nappy before you feed him, this will mean that when he falls asleep, he will not wake again soon after with an uncomfortably full or wet nappy. It is good practice to get a routine going anyway. Of course, he might only dirty his nappy between the times that you feed him, so if he does stay asleep, don’t change him until he wakes again.
Another good thing to do is to wind your baby after every feed. If you do that, he will not be in discomfort after feeding. It is inevitable that your baby will take in some air as he gulps down his food (although this is usually more of a problem with bottle-fed babies), so it is worth doing this even if he has fallen asleep. It is important not to allow yourself to become dehydrated while breastfeeding, so, make sure you have a glass of water to hand: it is thirsty work for both of you.
Finally, it can get very boring breastfeeding if you have no-one to talk to, no good book within reach or anything else to entertain yourself with. Be prepared and put the time to good use by catching up on the novels/films/gossip you have been meaning to. Also, there will come a time, running around after a hyperactive toddler, when you miss the quiet relaxation of sitting in a chair with your cherubic infant. Enjoy the peace while you can.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.