Starting Breastfeeding
Great! You made the decision to breastfeed! You can get started right after your baby is born. Your baby will likely be alert after birth and will seek the breast. Learn as much as you can about breastfeeding before you go to the hospital. You can read books, go to classes and talk to friends. Ask your birthing center or hospital about lactation consultants. These breastfeeding specialist are available to you while in the hospital. You can contact them after you leave the hospital too.
Breastfeeding For the First Time
If possible, nurse your baby for the first time with skin-to-skin contact within 1 to 2 hours after you give birth. This contact helps your baby:
- Regulate body temperature after birth.
- Maintain heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure after birth.
- Latch on faster when breastfeeding.
- Breastfeed exclusively for a longer period of time.
- Helps your uterus contract and decreases the chance of heavy bleeding.
Rooming In
“Rooming in” is when your baby stays in their bassinet in your hospital room. Keeping your baby close lets you learn their cues and notice any early signs of hunger. Feeding when your baby starts to act hungry is called feeding on demand. Rooming in and feeding on demand have both been shown to help promote successful breastfeeding.
Colostrum
Colostrum is the first breast milk your body will make. It is a thick yellowish liquid packed with nutrients to help protect your baby from infections. You will only make a few teaspoons of this for the first couple of days but it is usually all your baby needs.
After a few days your breasts will begin to feel fuller and firmer as your milk comes in. It is important to feed frequently during this time since your baby’s sucking will tell your body to start making more milk.
Feeding Your Baby
It’s important to start your baby off right on the road to good nutrition. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies only have breast milk or formula during the first 6 months of life. Do not give your newborn just water if you run out of formula or breast milk. Your baby can begin drinking water when they start solid foods at about 6 months of age. Once your baby starts eating solids, continue breast milk or formula until at least 1 year of age.
Avoid honey in any form for the first year. It can cause a type of toxin that may cause serious harm to your baby. Call your care manager if you do not have access to the formula you need.
Follow Your Baby’s Lead
Babies are good at letting you know if they are getting enough to eat. They will root (move their head when their cheek is stroked), smack their lips, cry or put their hands in their mouth when they are hungry. Feeding your baby based on these cues is called feeding on demand.
Each feeding should take about 10 to 20 minutes. Both breastfed and bottle-fed babies will need to have feedings throughout the day and night (every 2 to 4 hours) for at least the first month or two. Don't put your baby in bed with a bottle propped in their mouth. Propping the bottle is linked to ear infections and choking. You may notice some growth spurts when your baby will be hungrier and eat more often. Follow your baby’s lead. They typically know how much food they need.
Tips for Breastfeeding
Choosing to breastfeed is one of the best gifts you can give your baby. In addition to being the best nutrition for your baby, it has some great benefits for you, too! Here are some tips to help you have a successful breastfeeding experience.
Take Care of Yourself
When you breastfeed it is especially important to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids and eat a well-balanced diet. Nursing takes some practice but it is worth it. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the health benefits for you and your baby.
Three Steps to A Good Latch
A good latch and positioning are important during breastfeeding. They also help prevent sore nipples and ensure your baby is getting your milk.
- Support the breast when needed. Support with your thumb on top and four fingers underneath, making sure that all fingers are behind the areola (the darker skin around the nipple).
- Make sure your baby’s mouth is wide open. You can tickle their lip with your nipple to help get their mouth to open more.
- Pull your baby in close and keep them close. They will take a large mouthful of the breast and be pulled in so that both their chin and the tip of their nose are close to or touching the breast. Don’t worry, your baby will not suffocate! Babies are able to breathe while breastfeeding.
Signs Of a Good Latch
- The latch feels comfortable to you and doesn’t hurt or pinch.
- Your baby’s chest is against your body and they do not have to turn their head while drinking.
- You see little or no areola, depending on the size of your areola and the size of your baby’s mouth. If your areola is showing, you will see more above your baby’s lip and less below.
- You hear or see your baby swallow. Some babies swallow so quietly that a pause in their breathing may be the only sign of swallowing.
- You see your baby’s ears wiggle slightly.
- Your baby’s lips turn out like fish lips, not in. You may not be able to see the bottom lip.
- Your baby’s chin touches your breast.
Pumping Breastmilk
Pumping lets a caregiver feed your baby breastmilk when you are not with your baby. Using pumped breastmilk is also good when trying to teach your baby to eat from a bottle. You will want to start a few weeks before planned time away, like returning to work. You can start by adding a pumping session between regular feedings or pumping right after feeding your baby. When away from your baby, try and pump as often as they would usually eat. This will help your body to keep making the amount your baby needs.
Before you return to work, learn where and when you can pump. Learn more about pumping breastmilk at this link.
Breastfeeding Tips
If you can’t tell if your baby’s lower lip is out or if you feel their gums chomping on your nipple, press on their lower chin to gently nudge their mouth open and their lower lip out.
Staying Comfortable When Nursing
It is important to get comfortable and support your baby in finding a good latch. You also can use pillows, under your arms, elbows, neck or back to give you added comfort and support. Keep in mind that what works well for one feeding may not work well for the next. Keep trying different positions until you are comfortable.
Cradle Hold
This is an easy, common hold that is comfortable for most parents and babies. Hold your baby with their head on your forearm. Their whole body should be facing yours
Clutch or “Football” Hold
This is useful for people who had a C-section. It works for others with large breasts, flat or inverted nipples, or a strong letdown reflex (the reflex that releases your milk). It is also helpful for babies who prefer to be more upright. This hold allows you to better see and control your baby’s head. It will also keep the baby away from a C-section incision. Hold your baby at your side, lying on their back. Their head should be at the level of your nipple. Support your baby’s head with the palm of your hand at the base of the head so that the baby is placed almost under the arm.
Cross-Cradle or Transitional Hold
This hold is useful for premature babies or babies with a weak suck. It gives extra head support and may help babies stay latched. Hold your baby along the opposite arm from the breast you are using. Support your baby’s head with the palm of your hand at the base of their neck.
Side-Lying Position
This position is useful for people who had a C-section. It can help you get extra rest while the baby breastfeeds. Lie on your side with your baby facing you and pull your baby close. Your baby will be facing your body.
How To Take Care of Sore Breasts When Breastfeeding
Here are some symptoms you may experience when you begin to breastfeed and suggestions for how to handle them. Keep in mind these symptoms are usually temporary.
If You’re Breastfeeding, Look Out for Mastitis!
If you have a sore, red, painful breast with chills, fever, and flu-like symptoms, you may have an infection called mastitis. Mastitis is caused by blocked milk ducts or when bacteria enter the breast.
Mastitis needs to be treated with antibiotics. Call your healthcare provider if you think you may have mastitis.
Symptoms
Sore, dry or cracked nipples
How to prevent this:
- Make sure your baby latches on and gets enough breast tissue in their mouth. This will create a tight seal.
- Continue to feed only while the sucking is strong. End the feeding if your baby starts to get sleepy and is not sucking strong. To gently remove baby, put your finger in their mouth over your nipple to get them to unlatch.
- After nursing, rinse your nipples with clean, soap free water. Leave your breasts uncovered to air dry.
How to treat this:
Apply cream with lanolin in it to the nipple after nursing. Only use creams or medicines your healthcare provider recommends. Wipe the cream off before the next feeding.
Full sore breasts
How to prevent this:
- Nurse or pump every 2 to 4 hours.
- Make sure your baby nurses on each breast each time they feed.
- Take a hot shower or put on a heating pad before feeding to help you release your milk.
- Wear a supportive bra. Make sure it’s not too tight.
How to treat this:
- Take mild pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Place cold packs on your breasts between feedings.
Santizing Feeding Items
Keeping feeding items clean is important to keeping baby healthy. There are many safe ways to do this.
Clean the feeding items with soap and water.
Use one of the three methods below:
Boil
- Place disassembled feeding items into a pot and cover with water.
- Put the pot over the heat and bring to a boil.
- Boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove items with clean tongs.
- Do not rinse. Place on clean drying mat.
Steam
Place disassembled items in dishwasher or plug-in steam system and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sanitizing, cooling and drying the items.
Bleach: (if you can’t boil, steam or use a dishwasher)
- Prepare a bleach solution of 2 teaspoons of unscented bleach per gallon (16 cups) of water in a clean wash basin.
- Put all items completely underwater. Make sure the solution touches all parts and there are no air bubbles in the bottles.
- Squeeze solution through nipple holes.
- Soak items for at least 2 minutes.
- Remove with clean hands or tongs. Do not rinse because germs could get back onto the sanitized items. Any remaining bleach will break down quickly as it dries and will not hurt your baby.
If your baby is less than 2 months old, was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system due to illness sanitizing feeding items daily is very important. As baby gets older, daily sanitizing may not be necessary. It is still important to wash items after each use.
Reference: CDC.gov