Get your baby comfortable
It's important that your baby be as comfortable as possible during feedings. If she's not, she may not nurse long enough to get all the nutrition she needs. Check to see that her upper ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line.
The all-important "c" hold
Hold your breast with a "c" hold, your thumb above the breast and your four fingers supporting your breast underneath. Make sure your fingers are positioned away from the areola, so your breast can go far into your baby's mouth.
Help your baby to "latch on"
"Latching on" is the way your baby grasps your breast. If she's latched on properly, she'll get all the milk she needs, and you won't become sore.
You can help your baby latch on by touching her upper lip with your nipple. Wait until her mouth is wide open like a yawn. Then bring her to your breast with her head tilted back, chin forward and bottom lip as far from the nipple as possible. Her mouth should have a firm hold on your breast, not just your nipple.
Your baby is latched on properly if you:
- See her mouth opened wide
- See her chin pressed into your breast
- See some areola above the top lip (if you have a small areola none may show)
- Have no nipple pain
Your baby is feeding well when she:
- Sucks rhythmically
- Is calm while feeding
- Is swallowing, which can be seen or heard
If your baby falls asleep after a few minutes, squeeze your breast to help your milk flow. This may help her to start swallowing again. To remove your baby from your breast, slip your finger into her mouth between the gums to break the suction.
When your baby no longer has strong 'deep and slow' sucks and your breast feels softer, offer the second breast. She may only feed a short time on the second breast, if at all. At the next feeding, offer the breast that she fed on last. Often this breast feels fullest.