Comfortable breast-feeding
Make sure you're comfortable when feeding. Sit with both feet firmly on the ground. Support your back and arms with pillows an place a pillow on your lap to raise and support your baby if necessary.
What to wear to breast-feed
© DK
It is most important that you wear a bra when you are breast-feeding. One that supports your breasts underneath, has front fastenings and wide straps to avoid hurting your shoulders is best.
On top you should wear whatever you feel most comfortable in but, obviously, the top should allow easy access to your breasts. Large T-shirts are both comfortable and practical; front opening shirts are quick to open but some women feel more exposed wearing them.
Breast-feeding positions
You can feed your baby in whatever position you choose, as long as your baby can latch on to the nipple and you are comfortable and relaxed. Experiment and do whatever feels most natural. Do try to change positions throughout the day – this will ensure that your baby doesn’t only exert pressure on one part of the areola, and minimizes the risk of a blocked milk duct. If you sit down to feed your baby, make sure that you’re comfortable, with your arms and back supported with cushions or pillows if necessary.
It’s also nice to lie in bed to feed your baby, especially in the first few weeks and at night, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do this.
- Lie on your side, propped with pillows if that’s more comfortable, and gently cradle the baby’s head and body alongside you.
- You may need to lay a small baby on a pillow so that he’s at the right height for your nipple, but a larger baby should be able to lie on the bed next to you.
- Make sure that the muscles under your arm aren’t strained as this will slow down the flow of milk.
- Alternatively, lay your baby on a pillow under your arm, with his feet tucked behind you.
- Your hand can support your baby’s head as he faces your breast.
- Always put your baby back in his own bed after feeding; don’t fall asleep with him in your bed.
The position you choose initially may be affected by the delivery you’ve had. For example, if you’ve had an episiotomy you’ll probably find sitting down extremely uncomfortable, so feeding on your side will be more suitable.
Similarly, if you’ve had a Caesarean section your stomach may be too tender for your baby to lie on so try the football-hold position with your baby’s feet tucked under your arm. Alternatively, try feeding your baby while he’s lying on the bed alongside you.
Frequency of feeds
Babies need frequent feeding because of their body size. Breast-fed babies may need more feeds than bottle-fed babies because they digest their milk more quickly. Babies should be fed on demand (see Milk supply and demand feeding), and parents will quickly learn to recognize the cries that mean their baby is hungry (see All About Crying).
Newborn babies may need to be fed every two hours, having as many as eight to ten feeds a day. By about one month, babies are usually taking food every three hours, and at two to three months approximately every four hours. However, every baby is different.
Most babies sleep through the night after their late evening feed by the time they are three months old, but you shouldn’t even consider trying to drop the night feed unless your baby indicates his willingness by sleeping through.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
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