About Us    Contact Us    Careers    Site Map    Search

Health Care Services    Hospitals & Facilities    Health Information    Find a Doctor    Why Choose Baptist
 
Home Health Information Health Topic Library Child & Teen Health
Breast-Feeding
 
When should I breast-feed my baby?
The best time to start breast-feeding is right after the baby is born. Learning to breast-feed may be a challenge at first. But as you and your baby learn each other's rhythms and get some practice, it will get easier. Babies are born with a powerful sucking reflex. Offering the breast to your baby right away will help your baby bond with you and quickly learn that your nipple is the place to get food.

How do I position the baby to feed?
There are many ways to hold your baby while feeding. The most common position is called the cradle hold. Sit with your baby in your lap and the baby's head in the crook of your arm. You can use pillows to support your back, your arm, and the baby's head if the arm of the chair is too low. As you hold your baby, the baby's chest should be against your chest.

When you and your baby are settled into position, you need to get the baby to latch on correctly to your nipple. If the baby is not latched on correctly, you will get sore nipples and the baby will not get as much milk.

For a good latch, use your free hand to support your breast with your fingers underneath your breast and your thumb on top. Get the baby to turn his head toward your breast and open his mouth. This is called the rooting reflex. To do this, bring the baby close to your breast. Then stroke the baby's cheek with your finger. You can also tickle the baby's lower lip with your nipple. When you do this, your baby will naturally turn his head and open his mouth.

When your baby opens her mouth, put as much of the areola into the baby's mouth as possible. The areola is the brown area around the nipple. NEVER allow the baby to suck on just the nipple. Make sure that your baby can breathe through her nose. If your breast is blocking the baby's nose, press a finger against your breast near the nose to allow her to breathe.

If your baby does not latch on well, remove the baby from your breast by pressing a finger gently on the corner of her mouth. This will break the suction. Then try again.

Once your baby starts feeding, continue feeding on the same breast for 10 minutes. Then switch breasts and let your baby feed for as long as she wants on the second breast. Every time you breast-feed, change the breast you start with. This will help keep a good milk supply in both breasts.

As you become accustomed to breast-feeding, you may want to try different ways of holding the baby for breast feeding. As a general rule, anything that works is OK as long as the baby has the whole nipple in her mouth and can breathe.

Breast-feeding when you are lying down is useful for night feeding. Lie on your side and place the baby on her side facing you, with her head at your breast. You may want to place a couple of pillows at your back for some extra support. Be sure that the baby can breathe through her nose. The lying-down position may also be more comfortable for breast-feeding after you have had a cesarean section. It is easy for both you and your baby to fall asleep while you are lying down. Be careful. After you are done feeding, be sure to place your baby on her back for sleep. Avoid soft sleep surfaces, loose bedding, and places where your baby can fall, become entrapped, or be too close to a heating appliance.




  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

  HIA File CHL3707F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.


Top of Page

Baptist Online
Read the latest articles about a variety of health subjects, with many practical tips to help you take control of your health.
More

See Information Related to This Topic
Home | Health Care Services | Hospitals & Facilities | Health Information | Find a Doctor | Why Choose Baptist
©2009 Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer. Notice of Privacy Practices.
Baptist Memorial Hospital In keeping with the three-fold ministry of Christ — healing, preaching and teaching — Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation is committed to providing quality health care.