POSITIONING

There are four typical feeding positions, but probably hundreds of adapted individual positions!

IMPORTANT FOR ALL POSITIONS

Baby should be the same height as your breast and nipple, and Baby’s should face you tummy to tummy – ideally skin to skin without interference from clothes or blankets.

UNDERSTANDING THE MECHANISM OF MAKING MILK

Breasts are not bottles that empty during feeding – maximum milk production happens during breastfeeding.

This is how:

■ During feeding, the lobules (or alveoli, “milk-making glands”) make milk thanks to the hormone prolactin. When oxytocin is released, you may feel a pins-andneedles sensation in your breast as the milk travels from the lobules through the ducts and finally to the lactiferous sinus directly underneath your nipple where it waits to be extracted.

■ Babies are born toothless for a reason; they use their gums to “chomp” or compress the areola (brown area around the nipple) so that the milk can be released through the many openings on the nipple in a fine spray, onto the soft palate of Baby’s mouth.

■ Touch arouses the erectile tissue of your nipple, making it prominent (even if your nipples are normally quite flat), so that the nipple stretches into your baby’s mouth and is gently “milked” by your baby’s tongue that cups your breast.

LATCHING

The first time you latch your baby, simply let him smell, feel, lick and taste your breast and nipple. He may not even want to feed – he may simply need to feel secure and explore his new world. Reflexes like rooting, sucking and swallowing are particularly strong during the first 24 hours after birth, and these are stimulated during this time of “exploring.”

POSITIONING TO FEED

■ Hold your baby in your arms so that his face, chest, tummy and knees are resting on your forearm.

■ His head, neck and back should all be in a straight line, with his lower arm around your waist or tucked in at his side.

■ Hold your baby’s bottom or thigh with the arm holding him.

■ His mouth and nose should be at the level of your nipple.

■ As you prepare to support your breast with your opposite hand, turn your baby’s body and head to face your body so that you and baby are aligned skin to skin.

■ Tease your baby’s mouth open with your nipple, and wait until he opens his mouth wide to take your nipple.

■ Quickly move your baby towards your nipple – not your nipple towards your baby – so that you baby takes the whole nipple and areola into his mouth.

■ If it hurts when your baby begins to suck, he may not be fully latched; gently break the suction with your finger in his mouth and start again.

■ When the latch is perfect, your baby’s sucking will be long and strong, with a sensation that’s not painful. Baby’s mouth will be wide open with his lower lip pressed against his chin.

■ There is no need to hold your breast back for Baby to breathe.

■ Leave him to suck until he spontaneously stops, either because he is full or needs to be winded.

LIKE FALLING IN LOVE AND YOUR FIRST KISS, BREASTFEEDING IS SOMETHING YOU AND YOUR BABY LEARN TO DO TOGETHER. EVERY MOTHER-BABY COUPLE IS DIFFERENT – FIND YOUR GROOVE IN UNISON AND ENJOY BREASTFEEDING FOR AS LONG AS IT LASTS!

FOOTBALL OR CLUTCH HOLD Ideal for twins, or a fussy or sleepy baby – held mostly under your arm (body supported on a pillow), head held in your hand.

CRADLE HOLD OR MADONNA POSITION A natural position with Baby held in your arms and his head supported in your elbow.

CROSS CRADLE Suitable for little babies, back supported along your forearm and head held in your hand.

LYING DOWN Convenient for night-time or nap time – baby on pillow alongside you.

Letibalm protects, repairs and nourishes skin that is irritated by weather, skin conditions, allergies or frequently blowing the nose. Be on the lookout for the paediatric balm if your baby dribbles and drools a lot. R94,95 each at Dis-Chem, selected Checkers, Pick n Pay, pharmacies and retailers.