Breastfeeding Basics

Getting Started
First of all, congratulations on your new or pending birth. Secondly, congratulations on your wise decision to breastfeed your new little blessing. Breastfeeding not only provides superior nutrition and enhanced immunity from disease, but also helps create a deep and lasting bond between mom and baby. This is a wonderful, magical time and you will hold these memories dear for the rest of your life. That being said, as natural and wonderful as breastfeeding is it can be difficult to get the hang of in the first few weeks.

Making the Commitment
The most important thing you can do in order to ensure a successful breastfeeding experience for you and your baby is to make a commitment to do it. You must go into this endeavor with the attitude that you are going to breastfeed your baby no matter what. All too often, moms who are unsure about breastfeeding decide to "give it a try" and then give up quickly if the baby has difficulty latching on or if their breasts become engorged or nipples get sore. One or all of these issues come up for every mom at one time or another and with a little patience, good information, some practice and a positive attitude they can all be overcome. Many moms quit breastfeeding too soon and never experience how wonderful it can really be.

Latching On
The first thing you will have to learn is how to get the baby to latch on. It is a good idea to try to breastfeed the baby as soon after birth as possible. This is when the baby's instinct is strongest and the baby may latch on right away with very little direction from you.

Positioning is very important. Your nurse, midwife or breastfeeding support person can help show you several different positions to feed your baby in. The most common position is the football hold where the mother is sitting and cradling the baby in one arm. The baby's head will be at the mother's elbow and will latch on to the breast on the same side as the arm they are being held in. Mom may find that putting a pillow under the baby or under her elbow is quite helpful and prevents back strain.

Mom should use her other hand in a "C" shape to grab her breast just behind the nipple and move it towards the baby's mouth. Holding the breast in this fashion will push the milk forward making the nipple area firmer and giving baby something to grasp with his mouth. Gently rub the nipple on the baby's cheek closest to you and the baby should turn and open her mouth automatically (this is called a "rooting reflex").

If the baby is crying, mom can put the nipple right into the mouth and rub the gums with it. Baby usually will stop crying and latch on, but remember to be patient. This is a learning process for both of you and eventually you will both "get it" and this will become relaxing and enjoyable for both of you. If the baby doesn't latch on properly (not enough of the nipple and areola in the mouth), you should stick your pinky between the breast and baby's lip to break suction and try again.

Wrapping it Up
Breastfeeding is a wonderful and rewarding experience. Breastfeed babies have been proven to be healthier and smarter than bottle fed babies. It is not just the milk, but the skin to skin bonding between mom and baby that makes this difference. Learning to breastfeed may seem difficult at first and may require great patience, but within a couple of weeks both mom and baby will be breastfeeding experts.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

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Cerise Nichol is mom to two active boys, numerous pets and owner of Nestmom.com. Nestmom.com is a home-based business offering a variety of breastfeeding supplies.

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