Breastfeeding Support

Latch

The latch affects milk removal and production. Skin-to-skin contact in the first hour helps the baby find the breast. Support the baby's back and neck, tummy to tummy, with four fingers under the breast and thumb on top, away from the areola.

Tilt the baby's head back, chin first, with the nipple aligned with the nose. Aim the nipple towards the roof of the baby's mouth, with more areola above the lips, which should be curled outward. Sucking starts light, then deepens as milk flows.

Listen for swallowing to ensure adequate intake. If it slows, use breast compressions. Keep the baby on the breast to stimulate letdown. Burp the baby and offer the breast again to ensure fullness.

Positions

Choose a comfortable breastfeeding position that ensures the baby gets enough milk and stimulates production.

• Cross Cradle: Use pillows for support, support the baby's head and neck with your palm, keeping the ear, shoulder, and hip aligned. Support the breast with fingers underneath and thumb on top, aiming the nipple toward the baby's nose, and tuck the chin.

• Football: Good for larger breasts, smaller babies, or post-C-section. Support the baby, align the nipple with the nose, and keep the baby tummy to tummy, leading with the chin and tilting the head back.

• Side-Lying: Useful when the baby knows how to breastfeed or sitting is hard. Lie on your side with pillows, bring the baby tummy to tummy, aligning the nose with the nipple.

• Cradle: Ideal when both know how to breastfeed. Support with pillows, place the baby's head in your arm's crook, tilt the head back for a chin-first latch, and use your arms for support.

What to do when baby is sleepy/ engorgement/ hand expression

Many new mothers face difficulties while breastfeeding. Knowing how to handle issues like a sleepy baby or swollen breasts is important for successful feeding.

Newborns should be breastfed 8 to 12 times a day. Some babies may show excessive sleepiness often because of jaundice or the mother's medications. To help a sleepy baby feed, try undressing the baby to a diaper, expressing some milk first, making sure the baby latches on properly, gently massaging the breasts, softly rubbing the baby's feet, changing breasts mid-feed if needed, and keeping the lighting soft. If the baby gets sleepy, switching to the other breast can help. Persistent problems should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Signs of swollen breasts include feeling firm, painful, or warm, and nipples that look flattened, which can make it hard for the baby to latch. To prevent or reduce swelling, feed more often and use cold cloths or compresses after feeding. If the breasts are very full, hand expressing milk can help the baby latch better.

To hand express milk, gently massage the breast in circular motions from the top and back, then softly stroke downward toward the nipple. Place your fingers about one to one and a half inches from the nipple, pressing straight back into the chest wall, then move forward in a gentle rhythm. Vary the hand position to massage different areas, but avoid pressing too close to the nipple.