Whether you're a first-time and seasoned mom, breastfeeding can sometimes prove to be a painful experience for you, particularly when you don't know how to get your newborn latched on to your breast the right way.
A good latch helps your child get a sufficient amount of milk and makes breastfeeding a much easier process for you. Follow these simple tips to help your little one get a good breastfeeding latch right from the start!
A quiet, darkened, and distraction-free environment, where your little one can feel relaxed and focus solely on feeding, is the key to a successful breastfeeding session. A distracted baby not only makes latching-on a frustrating and challenging experience but also proves quite time-consuming for mommy. Hence, use a breathable nursing cover to block out all distractions and provide your child with a calm environment.
Sit or lie in a comfortable place and hold your child in a breastfeeding position that you find most comfortable to feed in. There are several breastfeeding positions, including cradle hold, side-lying hold, football hold, and laid-back position, which may work best for both you and your little one. Keep in mind, getting a good breastfeeding latch is nearly impossible without a comfortable breastfeeding position.
Before offering your little one your breast, make sure he is awake and alert. If your baby is asleep, gently tickle the bottoms of his feet to help wake him up. You can even talk or sing to your baby until he is awake or alert enough to nurse. A sleepy child cannot focus on the breast, making both latching-on and breastfeeding difficult for mommy.
A wide-open mouth is an essential part of getting the best possible latch. Encourage your little one to open mouth wide by tickling his lower lip with your nipple. Your baby may struggle a few times initially, but soon he will learn how to open his mouth wide enough to suck on most parts of your areola.
If you're feeding your wee one in the cradle or cross-cradle position, consider placing a comfy nursing pillow on your lap to raise your baby's mouth to the nipple and support your breast as well. A nursing pillow is a U-shaped pillow designed for breastfeeding, playing a vital role in getting your sidekick to latch correctly. Best of all, it prevents strain in your arms, neck, and back.
Once you've placed your infant on your breast, check whether he is latched on well or not. If your breast's discomfort ends immediately after your baby starts to feed, this indicates that your little one is latched on correctly. Other signs of achieving a good latch are swallowing, movement of jaws in a circular motion, ear-wiggling, and baby's nose touching your breast.
While you may feel a little soreness or tenderness in your nipple, you should not feel any pain during breastfeeding. If it does, it merely means there's something wrong with your latching on technique. In that case, break the suction gently using your fingers and try to latch your baby again. Always remember, a good latch never hurts!
This guest post is originally published by WobblyWalk's team on bloglovin.com.