Breast-feeding: the first time
It may take you a few tries to get the hang of breast-feeding, but this is normal so don't despair if the first time doesn't go swimmingly well. Take your time and be patient with both yourself and your baby.
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It is good for both you and your baby to try suckling as soon as the baby is born.There are two important reasons for doing so: suckling naturally stimulates the production of oxytocin, a hormone which, among other things (see Milk supply and demand feeding), makes the uterus contract and expel the placenta soon after birth. Suckling also helps to form a very strong bond between mother and baby immediately after birth.
Incidentally, you needn't worry about your baby choking. The natural reflex to suck is very strong, and he is able to swallow at birth.
The let-down breast-feeding reflex
When your baby suckles at the breast the pituitary gland in the brain is stimulated to release two hormones: prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin activates the actual manufacture of milk in the milk glands; oxytocin is responsible for the milk being passed from the milk glands to the milk reservoirs behind the areola. This process happens within seconds and is known as the let-down or draught reflex. You may feel this reflex very powerfully: in fact, the very sight or sound of your baby may trigger it off, and milk may actually leak out of your nipples in anticipation of feeding.
How to hold your baby
Support your baby along the length of his back and use your hand and fingers to support the back of his neck to bring him up to your breast. He should be able to reach your nipple without effort. Support your back and arms with pillows and place a pillow on your lap to raise and support your baby if necessary.
The rooting breast-feeding reflex
The first few times you put your baby to the breast to feed he may need some encouragement and help to actually find the nipple. Cradle your baby in your arms and gently stroke the cheek nearest the breast. This will elicit the rooting reflex. Your baby will immediately turn towards your breast, mouth open and ready. If you put your nipple in now he will happily clamp both lips around the areola and settle down to suckle. Many babies lick the nipple before they take it into their mouths and it sometimes helps to express some colostrum as an added incentive.
After a few days your baby will need no artificial stimulation and will happily turn and latch on to the breast as soon as he is picked up and held close to your body.
Never try to guide your baby's head to the nipple by holding both his cheeks between your fingers, or by squeezing the mouth open. The baby will become very confused by the conflicting stimuli of both cheeks being touched and will turn from side-to-side in a desperate bid to find the nipple.
Putting your baby to the breast
The key to happy, trouble-free breast-feeding is knowing how to get your baby's mouth correctly fixed or latched on to your breast. Try to get your nipple well inside your baby's mouth. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, unless he takes a good proportion of the areola into his mouth the milk will not be successfully sucked from your breast. Your baby extracts milk from the breast in a kind of chomping, sucking motion: the baby's mouth forms a seal around the areola, and as he sucks, the tongue pushes the nipple up against the roof of the mouth. The milk is then drawn out in a rhythmic combination of sucking and squeezing.
It can only be successful if the baby can exert pressure on the milk ducts behind the areola. Second, if you position the nipple well into the baby's mouth, you minimize the chances of developing sore or cracked nipples. Your baby has a very strong sucking action and if only the nipple is in his mouth he will effectively shut off the openings of the milk ducts and little milk will get out. Your nipples will become extremely sore and your milk supply will eventually be reduced because the milk is not being drawn off (see Milk supply and demand feeding). Your baby will quite naturally become frustrated and bad-tempered with hunger.
Bonding during feeding
Once your baby is happily sucking at your breast, settle down and look at him. If your baby's eyes are open, make eye contact with him. Smile, talk and chat softly while he is feeding so that he associates the pleasure of feeding with the sight of your face, the sound of your voice and the smell of your skin.
How long on each breast
Your baby's sucking will be strongest in the first five minutes when he will take 80 per cent of the feed. As a general rule, keep your baby on the breast for as long as he shows interest in sucking. If your baby continues to suck after your breasts have emptied, it may be that he is just enjoying the sensation; this is fine if it's not making your breasts sore.
You'll find that your baby will lose interest in his own individual way: it may be that he starts to play with your breast, slipping his mouth on and off the nipple; he may turn away; he may fall asleep. When he appears to have had enough of one breast gently take the baby off your nipple (see Removing baby from breast below) and put him on to the other breast.
If your baby does fall asleep after feeding from both breasts he's probably had enough: you'll soon learn whether this is the case or whether he's going to wake, hungry again, after ten minutes, or so. Similarly, if your baby appears to have taken all he wants from just one breast, don't worry. You can start the next feed off on the other breast.
Removing baby from breast
Never pull your baby off the breast - you'll only hurt your nipple. To get the baby off, slip your finger down between the areola and your baby's cheek and put your little finger into the corner of the baby's mouth. This will make his mouth open, breaking the suction, and your breast will slip out of his mouth easily instead of being dragged off. In the first few days this is particularly important because your nipples are rather soft and they need a chance to become less sensitive.
Breast-feeding tips
- You may find that because your let-down reflex is too efficient your milk pours out too quickly and chokes the baby as soon as he sucks. You can slow the flow down by expressing a little milk first (see Expressing milk).
- If your nipple is soft and small and your baby has trouble finding it, put a cold, wet cloth on it for a moment - your nipple will firm up and protrude, making it easier for your baby.
- Milk flows in both breasts at every nursing and it's best to use both breasts at each feed. Start with the heavier breast.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
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