With the invention of formula, baby bottles and sterilizers, breastfeeding is fast becoming a lost art. Pediatricians around the world recommend breastfeeding during the baby's first year of life, because breast milk contains all the nutrients needed by the newborn and is specifically suitable for its digestive system. Breast milk also provides many of the mother's acquired immune defenses and can help the new mother lose the weight gained during pregnancy. If you want to breastfeed your baby, follow the advice in this tutorial.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Be Prepared
Step 1. Create a suitable location for breastfeeding
Try to breastfeed when sitting in a large comfortable chair, armchair or sofa, so you will feel more stable. Keep a large bottle of water or even a good snack close at hand to fight the hunger that could come suddenly, as often happens to new mothers. Ideally, the most suitable place would be near the baby's crib, so that you can breastfeed the baby as quickly as possible.
The right place also depends on your circumstances and your perspectives: some women feel perfectly comfortable breastfeeding in public, while others are only comfortable in private
Step 2. Wear comfortable clothes while breastfeeding
A specific bra can be used to easily feed the baby in public if you feel comfortable. In any case, any tank or top that is soft and comfortable, and that can open on the breast with a button, is a great garment to allow the baby to easily access the breast. The more skin contact you can offer the baby, the more stimulated it will be to suckle milk, so you or your baby don't need to wear a lot of layers of clothing.
Step 3. Learn to breastfeed before you give birth
Get help from a midwife before or immediately after the baby is born, or sign up for an antenatal breastfeeding course. This can help you feel more relaxed and ready the day your baby is born, also because he will be very hungry at that time.
Step 4. Don't give him the pacifier right away
While it can certainly be of great help, as it calms and soothes him, it can actually make it harder for you to breastfeed properly. To keep the baby focused on sucking from the breast rather than the pacifier, you should never offer it to him, at least until he reaches 3-4 weeks of age; this is sufficient time for him to adapt to drinking milk from the breast. To be sure, there are also valid arguments for using the pacifier right away; do your research to find out what's best for you and your baby.
Method 2 of 3: Breastfeed
Step 1. Feed the baby often and regularly
All babies typically need to drink milk at least every 2-3 hours and can sleep 5 hours straight once every 24 hours. Try to wake the baby up during the day every few hours from the earliest times, so that he can sleep a longer period during the night. Feeding times are different for each newborn, so let yours decide for itself when it's done with the first breast. Keep in mind that breast milk has natural antibacterial properties, so you don't necessarily have to wash your hands and breasts before each breastfeeding. The breasts have Montgomery's tubercles, glands that keep the nipples free from bacteria.
The first time you give birth, be prepared to breastfeed right away or within 2 hours of your baby being born. You need to get him used to sucking from the breast as soon as possible
Step 2. Avoid bending over to breastfeed
The best place to put the baby during feedings is your arms, hold him up horizontally from your body, with his belly against yours. Your ideal position should be sitting straight up or leaning back slightly so that you feel relaxed and comfortable. If you remain bent over or leaning over the baby, it will be painful for you and difficult for him to hold onto the breast. While you shouldn't use a pillow to support the baby, you can still get one to hold on your lap to support your arms.
With the pillow you can support your back to more easily hold the baby in your arms
Step 3. Support the baby's body and head
There are many effective ways to hold the baby in your arms while breastfeeding, including cradle grip, cross grip and rugby ball grip. Whichever one you choose, try to keep a straight line from the ear to the shoulder and up to the hip. Hold the baby close so that his chest is next to yours and make him stay a bit straight.
Cradling the baby a little close to your body should prevent you from bending over him
Step 4. Point your nipple to the center of her mouth
Do this when the baby opens his mouth wide so the nipple sits securely on his tongue. If you see that he does not open his mouth sufficiently, encourage him to open it better by gently touching his lips and mouth. Bring it towards you by applying a little pressure on your back, but don't push it from your head. When the baby latches on to the breast, you should feel some traction but not a pinch.
Support his back with one hand and keep the other on the breast
Step 5. Let your baby suckle the milk for as long as he wants at the first breast
Some babies are more "efficient" than others, which take longer to feed. Depending on the amount of milk you produce, the baby may not even have to latch on to the second breast. The important thing is to make sure to alternate them with each new feed. Pay attention to the rhythm at which she sucks, as it will allow you to understand that the baby has latched onto the breast correctly.
- When your baby is breastfeeding, you should feel a slight pull in the nipple, but not a pinch or bite.
- When he's finished eating, you don't have to pull or pull your breasts away from him. Instead, insert a finger into your mouth so that it spontaneously releases the nipple.
Step 6. Have him burp (optional)
Depending on how much air you may have ingested or inhaled through your nose during the feed, it may not even be necessary. If you see him arching his back, squirming, squirming and looking uncomfortable, then you probably need to get him to do it. Try to stimulate him to burp in one of the following ways:
- Lift him onto his shoulder, supporting his head and neck with your hand. The baby should be facing your shoulders. Rub his back with a steady hand to release trapped air.
- Hold him in your lap and bend him forward, supporting his chest with the base of your hand while your fingers support his chin and neck. Massage his stomach with your front hand and gently tap his back with the other hand.
- Lie on your lap with your head raised higher than your stomach. Gently tap his back until he burps.
Step 7. Get used to the "meal and sleep" routine
During the first few months, the newborn spends most of his time feeding and sleeping. You can understand that the baby is eating "enough" when you have to change 8-10 wet or dirty nappies. Although this routine leaves you little time to play with him, it does give you some of the much needed rest that you probably miss a lot.
Method 3 of 3: Staying in Good Health During the Breastfeeding Period
Step 1. Eat a healthy diet
If you don't eat healthily, you can compromise your health, as most of the nutrients are absorbed by breast milk and you are essentially left with "leftovers". Many moms continue to take prenatal vitamins even in this stage of their baby's growth, or they should take multivitamins every day to stay healthy. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits and grains and avoid foods that are too fatty, instead choosing foods with a high nutritional value.
Even if you are anxious to lose those pounds gained from pregnancy, now is not the time to go on an extreme diet, unless you want to deprive the baby of the nutrients it needs
Step 2. Stay hydrated
If you want to stay healthy and produce enough milk for your baby to grow healthy, you need to stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 8-ounce glasses of water a day and add some juice, milk, or other healthy drinks into your routine.
Step 3. Avoid alcoholic beverages at least 2 hours before breastfeeding
Research has shown that it is not harmful for an average weight woman to drink up to 2 glasses of wine or two beers while breastfeeding (as long as it is not in actual breastfeeding, of course). However, doctors recommend waiting at least 2 hours, if you have consumed alcohol, before breastfeeding.
Also, you should use a breast pump beforehand if you know you will need to drink alcohol and won't be able to breastfeed for a while
Step 4. Avoid smoking
Smoking not only changes the amount of breast milk produced, but can also alter the taste of it, making it less palatable for the newborn. This is the last thing you want. If you are breastfeeding, throw away your cigarettes!
Step 5. Be careful if you are taking any medications
While it may not be harmful for the baby to breastfeed while you are taking medication, you should always consult with your doctor to make sure there are no problems.
Advice
- Breast milk is formed according to the needs of the baby. The more he requests, the more you produce.
- Crying is often the last indicator of a baby's hunger. Don't wait until he starts crying to decide to breastfeed him. Most babies complain a little, try to call, lick their lips and even whispers a bit to signal that they are ready for a new feed. Babies who are breastfed often look for the nipple when they are hungry.
- Do not take off never the baby from the breast while it is sucking, it could cause pain in the nipples; rather insert the (clean) little finger in a corner of his mouth to loosen the suction.
- Do not start feeding him solid foods at least until he reaches 6 months of age, even if your mother or mother-in-law insists that the baby needs something - anything. The pediatrician or midwife can give you more accurate and updated information about the safety of the baby's first foods.
- Keep calm and be confident. Women have been nursing babies since the dawn of time.
- If your nipples hurt, it means that you need to adjust the baby's grip at the breast. Watch closely when the baby latches on to the breast; you have to try to make sure that the nipple fits as much as possible into his mouth. When you see that he loosens his grip at the end of the feed, the nipple should appear rounded and be the same shape as when it entered.
- If you gently squeeze your breasts and let out a small amount of milk, you can help your baby know it's time to feed even if he's sleepy.
- Trust your instincts and do your best for your baby.
- Touch his cheek with a finger or nipple to stimulate the "sucking reflex", so that he instinctively turns his head towards the nipple and begins to suck.
- Heat the milk by running hot water over the bottle if it has been in the fridge overnight. Do not heat it in the microwave because you would destroy all the unique nutrients in breast milk.
- To soothe nipple pain try to use only lanolin-based creams, as they are specifically designed for this purpose and are not harmful to the baby, such as Lansinoh. It is not necessary to remove this product before breastfeeding.
- If you want to increase your milk supply, you can use a breast pump. You can hire one from a pharmacy if you don't need it for a long time; or you can buy your own. Pumps differ in quality and you should consult with an expert or other breastfeeding moms before purchasing one.
- Use a blanket or towel to cover your breasts while you are breastfeeding when in public. Start with friends and family members first to learn how to manage the event before being taken by surprise among the people when the child is hungry. As you both become more comfortable, you will learn how to cover breasts effectively with clothes and baby alone, eliminating the need for a cover.
- Pumped milk can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months, and in the refrigerator for 8 days.
- If too much time has passed between feedings and the baby is still sleeping, you can change his diaper to wake him up completely.
- Defrosted milk can be shaken slightly before feeding.
Warnings
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Ask the midwife or doctor for more details if:
- the baby still shows the desire to suck milk after breastfeeding.
- the child does not urinate and does not discharge regularly.
- the breasts are sore or cracked and the nipples are bleeding (this could mean that the baby is not holding the nipple correctly or it could be a more serious problem, such as mastitis).
- the baby is not gaining weight.
- the baby's skin, fingernails or toenails appear slightly yellowish.
- Breastfed babies typically produce near-liquid, yellow stools 4 or more times a day.
- Before taking any medication while you are breastfeeding, be sure to talk to your doctor or midwife to be sure it does not affect milk. Some medications can reduce the amount, while others may pass through the milk to the baby.
- Pay attention to alcohol consumption while breastfeeding.
- Breastfed babies typically wet the diaper 8 to 10 times a day.
