What are the best positions for feeding. Secrets of proper breastfeeding: sitting, lying down and other postures

At first, mom can use 2-3 basic poses: in the afternoon " Cradle", "From under the arm", and at night " On mom's hand". Later, when mom gets comfortable, you can get creative with the feeding process and start trying something else - rocking and feeding, feeding on the go, etc.

Feeding one child:

1. The most common nursing position is " Cradle"or in another way, the pose of the" Madonna ". Pay attention to the position of the baby: his tummy is pressed against the mother's stomach. The head should be positioned so that the mouth is opposite the nipple. So that your hands do not get tired, you can put a pillow under the baby. Mom sits" on Turkish, "but of course this is not necessary. You can also sit comfortably in a chair, placing your legs on a raised platform (this will allow you to slightly raise the baby to your chest) or in bed (lean on its back, placing a pillow under your lower back; legs can be bent at the knees, which will also allow you to lift the baby closer to the chest):

2. Posture for feeding " cross cradle". This is a variant of the classic "Cradle", but with the ability to more carefully control the attachment process. The baby in this position lies on the mother's right hand, which helps her fix the baby's body. The mother holds the head with her palm and can easily direct it towards the chest. Free hand puts the breast in the mouth to make the grip deeper.If you feel that the baby is comfortable to suck, it does not hurt you, you can change hands to a more comfortable option " Cradle":

3. Feeding position" From under the arm". Mom holds the baby, like American football players hold her ball under the armpit :) You will need several pillows. It is important to consider the basic principle - the baby's mouth is at the level of the mother's nipple, then your back will not tire during feeding. This position is good for learning This position should be used at least once a day so that the baby sucks milk well from the lower and lateral lobes of the breast:

4. Feeding position" On mom's hand". In this position, the mother will be able to relax with the baby. When settling down to feed lying down, keep in mind that your head lies on the pillow, while your shoulders fall to the surface of the bed. The mother holds the child with her hand so that he maintains a position on his side, monitors the application. At night, this the position allows the mother to be calm, because she will not be able to lean on the baby.To make you more comfortable, you can put a pillow under your back.Connect your husband to night feeding - let him create a "support" for you and hug you from behind!:

5. Feeding position" jack". This unusual position is useful if you have lactostasis in the upper lobes of the mammary gland. The baby's chin will be directed exactly to that zone, which means that the milk will be easier to remove from there. The baby lies on its side, to fix the position, place a roller under the child's back:

6. Feeding position" Lying on a pillow". A mother who has already mastered traditional positions can try something new, for example, feeding lying down from the upper breast. To make it comfortable for you and the baby, lay the baby on the pillow. You can support the head with your hand or lie down on the pillow. Hold the baby with your free hand :

7. Feeding position" overhang". Laying the baby a little on his side (not on his back!), Mom hangs over him. This position will allow milk to flow down the ducts more easily, making it easier for your baby to work. The position is useful for babies who are switching from bottle feeding to exclusively breastfeeding. In this position you won’t feed for a long time, so don’t get carried away with such feeding too often:

8. Posture for feeding " kid from above". This position is suitable for mothers whose milk flows strongly. Often, babies choke at the same time, without having time to swallow it. If you sit down reclining and attach the baby to your chest from above, then the milk flows will not be so intense. The baby will be able to suck more calmly, and mother to rest. In the West, this position is quite popular, as it is believed that it allows you to increase the comfort of the nursing mother, and the child is more efficient at breastfeeding. Site: describes it as a separate feeding technique:

9. Posture for feeding " Motion sickness while standing". If you need to calm a noisy toddler before going to bed, it will be easier to do this by taking him in your arms and offering your chest while standing. Add to this a gentle swaying and the baby's eyes will soon begin to stick together. This position is good not only for a grown baby, but also for a newborn , especially if the child cannot calm down in any way:

10. Feeding position" On the thigh". You have already become a dexterous mother, and the baby begins to try all new poses - this is wonderful! Let him diversify feeding, let the baby develop. In the position on the hip, follow the correct grip on the chest and continue to teach the baby not to turn his head during feeding - for this hold it lightly with your free hand:

11. Feeding position" The kid is sitting". Experienced babies older than 5-6 months love to feed while sitting in their mother's arms. They like to look at their mother and communicate with her without releasing their breasts from their mouths. You can hold the baby's handle so that it does not "wander" over the second breast:

12. Posture for feeding " The kid is standing". Feeding while standing is especially common in children who have already learned to walk, but it can appear much earlier. In this position, children often feed for momentary application to calm down if the peace of mind of the crumbs has been overshadowed by something. For basic feedings (for falling asleep) the main poses remain:

13. Mom feeds the baby in the hospital. The photo is essentially a classic pose " cradle":

Twin feeding:

Some mothers prefer to feed both twins at the same time, others - in turn, first one baby, then the other. Sometimes both babies like to suck on one side, others like to suck on each breast alternately. It is very important to change children from different sides. If you're breastfeeding triplets instead of twins, it might be a good idea to have a chart where you record which baby got which breast when. If you do not follow this, then it is possible that one of the children may be malnourished, or you will encounter breast asymmetry in the future.

1. Way" one by one". First, we feed the first baby with one breast, and then we feed the second baby with the other breast. In the next feeding, feed the first baby who was fed the second in the previous feeding:

2. Way" From under the arm"(Position of a football player): sit on the sofa, put a soft folded blanket under each arm. The babies suckle their breasts at the same time, one lies on the right side and sucks on the right breast, the other, respectively, on the left. The legs of the children are behind you:

3. Way" Cross to cross": sit in a comfortable chair with a back, place one baby at the left breast, pressing his body to yours. The other is at the right breast, he is no longer pressed to you, but to the first baby. Do not try to attach each child to "your" breast They often suck differently, so the breasts can soon become different shapes.In addition, when a baby is fed only one breast, his "upper" eye facing your face is overloaded, and the "lower" eye does not receive enough stimulation:

4. Way" parallel". At first, you will usually have someone to feed you, but you will get used to it over time. It is very convenient to feed sitting on the floor, with your back against the sofa, and support the children with your knees. If any of the children have difficulty feeding in a certain position, try shifting them.For example, the baby refuses to suckle if the twin at the breast presses on him with his weight.Then shift the babies so that they do not touch each other:

5. Way" Sitting on my knee". Relevant for grown-up kids:

Breastfeeding on the go:

Way " Feedingon the run "will be needed if the child is crying, worried under breastfeeding, cannot relax or if you are going somewhere. In such a situation, a baby up to 3 months old should be swaddled, breastfeeding and walking, rocking to the right or left with each step, or just slowly, slowly walking:

With older babies, use a thin blanket or thick sheet instead of swaddling. Wrap the baby, creating a kind of "cocoon" for him. In most cases, this quickly calms the child. If you have a sling in your arsenal, it will be ideal for feeding on the go, it will help your mother unload her hands. The baby is also comfortable, but only when the sling is put on correctly.

Nowadays, many women who decide to breastfeed want to organize this process naturally. The Soviet “regime” method, in which the breast was given to the child and taken from him by the hour and minute, is no longer popular. Now the rule is: "the baby should suck as often and for as long as he wants." However, with this approach, mothers still in the hospital discover that the newborn can be on the chest almost constantly, even during sleep. Within a few months, the mother will have some freedom, but for a long time, feeding will remain a significant part of her day. These hours should not be a painful duty, but a time of pleasure, joy and peace. To make it so, the collective female mind has come up with a variety of postures for breastfeeding. Using them, the mother will be able not only to give her child the best, but to relax or have fun, and if necessary, solve problems with lactation.

Pose 1 - classic: "cradle"

The mother sits on a chair or in an armchair. The child is in her arms - the head is in the crook of the elbow, the lower back is in the palm of the second hand, the legs are supported by the forearm. The baby's belly should be parallel to the mother's belly. The seated cradle position is the most well-known breastfeeding position. Women of older generations often used only her one. In Soviet manuals, they taught to give breasts in this way - sitting straight, pressing the child to himself with his hands. In fact, this pose is designed specifically for 15-minute feedings at 3-hour intervals. You can’t sit like that for a long time - the whole body is tense and numb, your hands are busy.

- Subspecies 1(a): "cross cradle"

The sitting mother holds the child with one hand - the opposite breastfeeding breast. His head rests in his mother's palm, and his body supports her forearm. The reverse cradle is even less convenient than the straight one. This sub-pose was invented for one purpose - to free the hand. But the hand, on which a double load falls, numbs very quickly. Having adjusted the grip or taking a sip of tea, one has to return to the previous position.

- Subspecies 1(b): "standing cradle"

The mother stands or walks, holding the child on her chest with both hands: the head is on the bend of the elbow of one, the priest is on the forearm of the other. It's hard to imagine a less comfortable position. Women who are forced to feed like this for some time remember this period as a nightmare. Usually, you have to feed standing up immediately after childbirth, when you can’t sit because of the stitches on the perineum, and it’s impossible or scary to feed lying down. The dubious advantage of the pose is the ability to rock the child at the same time. It is much easier to do this while sitting or jumping on a fitball.

- Features of the cradle position when using a nursing pillow

Special pillows for nursing mothers gave the "cradle" a new life. Compact boomerang pillows with ties at the back secure under the bust to keep your hands free. The baby is in the right place, mom just needs to make sure that he remains turned to her stomach. The ties fix the pillow well, allowing you to get up and walk, for example, to the kitchen for a cup of tea.

Pose 2 - relaxation: lying on your side

Mom lies on her side with her legs crossed. Her head is on the pillow and her shoulders are lower. (The higher the pillow, the more comfortable.) The baby's head lies on the crook of the elbow or under the armpit, his legs rest on the mother's knees. Thus, the mother seems to enclose the baby with her body. This is the most comfortable way to feed. Ideal for both puerperas who cannot sit, and for mothers of grown children. Lying down with a feeding "runner" is often the only opportunity to rest during the day. One hand is always free - you can hold a smartphone in it and read on it, surf the Internet, watch something while the baby is breastfeeding. Sometimes it happens that babies sleep well daytime naps only with breasts in their mouths. Then the lying position for feeding is the only mother's salvation, she can spend this hour or two to her advantage, without even physically breaking away from the child. Or take a nap next to each other. This position is used during co-sleeping. Thanks to her, mom can sleep all night, and the baby can feed as much as he needs. The only disadvantage of this position is that you can only feed on the lower breast. But not changing breasts for 6-8 hours is fraught with stagnation, so mothers are forced to shift the baby several times in the middle of the night to the other side. It becomes optional if you master:

- Subtype of posture 2(a): lying on the side, upper chest

Mom lies on her side with her knees bent. The child is in the space between her legs and arm. In order for the baby to be able to reach the upper chest, the shoulder is served forward, leaning slightly over it. At the same time, it is convenient to raise one leg higher. If the child is placed on the crook of the elbow, his head will rise higher, and a breast of sufficient size can simply be served to him. The peculiarity of this position for feeding small breasts is as follows. Mom needs to partially lie on her stomach, while the lower breast is under her, but the lower hand is still above the baby, preventing a complete coup. For convenience, you can put your hand under your head. In the cavity created, the baby is placed - the lower breast is now inaccessible to him, but the upper one is right next to the face. Then mom just rises, changing sides.

- Features of the recumbent position with a pillow

If the mother has a nursing or maternity pillow, the baby can be placed on it so that it reaches the upper breast. A long pillow can also be adapted to the mother's back as a support.

Pose 3 - anti-crisis: out of hand

Mom sits straight, the child is in her armpit on the side at chest level with her head towards her knees. To support the baby, you can use a pregnancy pillow, or two regular adult head pillows stacked on top of each other. A quilt rolled up into a roller will do. This sitting position is more convenient than the “cradle”, since you do not have to bear the weight of the baby on yourself, and one hand is always free. But its disadvantage is that it will not work to sit on a chair - you need a chair with wide armrests, and if it is not there, you will have to sit on a bed without back support. However, in this case, the inconvenience can be neglected, since the pose from under the arm is also the pose from the armpit, it is also the “capture of the ball” (the child is held like an American football ball) - a magic couple-rescuer in many problematic situations that arise during lactation .

• Wrong grip. The armpit pose gives you the most control over the grip. Mom sees well how the baby takes the breast and can correct flaws.
• "Lazy sucker". If your baby is having difficulty sucking milk and is not gaining weight well, the mother can help by squeezing the breast during feeding. To do this, she needs a free hand, which this position provides (without overloading the other, like a "cross cradle"). Some babies fall asleep quickly without eating properly. In this case, with your free hand, it is convenient to shake the dormouse and move the nipple in his mouth.
• Cracked nipples, painful attachment. If the mother had cracks when she was feeding in the “cradle” or lying down, this position will allow the nipple to be positioned differently in the baby’s mouth. This reduces pain and prevents re-injury. If there are no cracks, but it still hurts during application, this is a sign of gripping errors and should be corrected.
• Laktostasis. The choice of a position for feeding with lactostasis depends on which of the milk lobes stagnation has formed. And it is formed where the milk is sucked worst of all. Best of all, the baby dissolves those lobes to which his chin is turned. Worst of all, respectively, the opposite. The most popular positions are those in which the baby's chin is directed to the mother's stomach, so the upper lobes of the breast are the worst absorbed. It is there that women most often experience stagnation. Using the underarm pose allows you to turn your head to the other side. It is useful to feed in this position regularly - for prevention. The more diverse postures used, the less likely it is to stagnate. And if it has already arisen, then it is necessary to feed in the position that was previously ignored.

- Subtype of pose 3 (a) - lying with a jack

Mom lies on her side, the child is nearby - with her feet towards her head. This pose allows you to use all the benefits of the "grab the ball" pose, but you can lie down. The downside is that the mother has to lie in the middle of the bed so that there is room for the child's legs, and there is nothing to support the pillow on. Instead of a pillow, you have to use your hand, and it quickly becomes numb.

- Subtype of posture 3(b) - overhang

The child lies on his back, the mother gives him the breast from above, hanging over, and holding him with her hand in a position slightly to the side, so that it is convenient for him to drink. Thanks to this unusual position, the baby can easily dissolve all the lobes. The force of attraction helps him. Mom can breastfeed standing on all fours above the baby: head to his feet, head to head or across him - depending on which lobes need to be sucked. In this position, the body begins to hurt after a few minutes, but in a difficult situation it's worth it. Relative comfort can be provided by laying the child on the table and hanging over it, resting his hands on a hard surface.

Posture during feeding is of great importance for the process of breastfeeding - lactation. Many problems faced by new mothers (sore nipples, insufficient milk supply, mother's estrangement from the child during feeding) can be caused by non-compliance with certain feeding rules.

Psychologists believe that if a woman feeds a baby in an uncomfortable, awkward, tense position, this can later cause problems with lactation and disrupt the psychological bond between mother and child.

Get comfortable before feeding. Milk will flow better if the mother is in a relaxed state. You can sit comfortably on a bed or in a chair with armrests, while pillows will help you better settle yourself and give the correct posture to the child. Remember that both you and the baby should be very comfortable. If you are sitting in a chair, it is advisable to put a small stool under your feet: your knees will rise, and you will not need to strain the muscles of your back and arms to press the baby to your chest.

If you have large breasts, place a rolled towel under it for support. So she will not put pressure on the lower jaw of the child and prevent him from breathing.

Before breastfeeding your baby, squeeze a few drops of colostrum or milk from your breast to moisten the nipple and make it less tight. The chest should be held with the free hand, giving it a cup-like shape: four fingers and a palm are under the chest, and the thumb is on top. You can not close the areola with your hand.

When the baby opens her mouth wide, you should direct the nipple to the center of the mouth and with a quick movement of the hand, press the baby to you. This is an important point: you do not need to lean towards the baby, stick out your chest, otherwise you will quickly get tired during feeding.

The child should capture the nipple and areola - the areola. If the areola is large, then the radius of capture should be approximately 2-2.5 cm. The baby's lips should not be tucked inward, they should wrap around the chest so that their red border is visible.

The chin of the baby should be in contact with the chest, but not too tightly, but just enough so that it does not interfere with breathing, although the wise nature has arranged so that the baby can breathe even with tight pressure.

If it still seems to you that it is difficult for the baby to breathe, pull his ass towards you, slightly changing the angle of the body, or lightly press your thumb on the chest to release the nose. If the baby does not take the breast correctly or you need to release the breast for another reason, you should gently open the baby's gums by carefully inserting a finger into the corner of the mouth.

Don't stop trying until the baby latch correctly. With the correct posture, it is noticeable that the baby is relaxed, making slow and deep sucking movements, and you can hear how he swallows milk. You do not experience pain in the nipples.

Common mistakes breastfeeding mothers make include:

1. The baby is turned to the chest only with the head. He lies on his back, and his body is not pressed against the mother's body. The baby can move freely in all directions.
2. The baby's chin is not pressed against the chest.
3. The child does not open his mouth wide enough, the lips are turned inward or, conversely, elongated.
4. The baby squeezes the nipple with his lips, and does not press them on the areola.
5. The child makes quick and short sucking movements, makes "smacking" sounds; Cheeks may retract when feeding.
6. You are too slow to direct the nipple into the baby's mouth and pull the baby towards you.
7. You experience pain while feeding.
8. You allow the baby to turn his head and allow his gums to slide onto the nipple.

With the wrong posture, it is inconvenient for the baby to suck and swallow. It captures only the nipple (the so-called "nipple sucking"), which is why there is a high probability of cracking the nipple and inflammation of the mammary gland - mastitis. With nipple sucking, the baby does not press the tongue hard enough on the ducts of the mammary gland, which makes it difficult for the outflow of milk. This can cause stagnation of milk - lactostasis. In addition, the baby shows anxiety, is nervous, requires frequent feeding, or refuses to eat at all.

How to choose the right posture?

1. The breast of every woman has a shape, elasticity, volume, size of the nipple inherent only to her - and it is these factors that often dictate to mothers what position to choose during feeding.
2. Sometimes the health of the mother and baby can be the deciding factor - for example, there are poses in which it is easier to feed after a caesarean section, poses for feeding premature, debilitated babies, and poses for feeding twins.
3. The breast is better emptied from those areas that are on the line from the nose to the baby's chin. Therefore, regular change of positions will contribute to better emptying of the breast.

Poses for mom and baby

"Cradle"

The traditional position most often used when feeding. Sit comfortably in a chair, put a pillow under your back, and put a small bench under your feet.

Hold the baby on your arm so that his head is on your elbows, the back is on your forearm, and you wrap your hand around the baby's bottom.

Turn the baby on its side so that its tummy is pressed against yours. The baby should not dodge, arch and stretch his neck to get the breast. The baby's face should be turned to the chest so that the tip of the nose is at the level of the nipple. If the baby's arms interfere with feeding, they can be lowered down and held with the thumb of the hand on which your baby is lying.

A variation of the traditional posture is the position in which the child lies on a pillow so that his body is at the level of the nipple. You can also put pillows under your elbows so that your hands do not get tired of holding the child. At the same time, you should not lean on your elbows, especially from the side of the breast from which the baby is currently eating - this makes it difficult for the outflow of milk. If you put all of your baby's weight on your arms or lean towards him, you will tire quickly due to the tension in your back and arms. You should lift the child up and hold him to you, and not lean towards him. If you are breastfeeding on your right breast, you can guide the nipple with your left thumb. In this case, the child must be supported with the right hand.

Gently place your hand behind the baby's neck so that the thumb and forefinger of the right hand are behind the ears. The palm of your hand is located between the shoulder blades of the child.

Before applying, the baby's mouth should be very close to the nipple. When the baby opens its mouth wide, move it towards the chest with your right hand.

Lying on your side

The position is useful after perineal operations, when sitting is not allowed, and in cases where the baby is born weak or premature.

You and the baby lie on your side facing each other. The baby's mouth should be at the level of your nipple. Your head is on the pillow. To prevent the child from rolling back, place a pillow or a rolled up diaper behind his back. The baby can be held in such a way that his back lies along your arm - you hug the baby with your hand and press him to your side.

In this position, mothers often feed their children at night.

Armpit baby pose

This position is especially relevant for women who have had a caesarean section, as the baby is away from the suture. In addition, this position can be convenient for women with large and heavy breasts that are difficult to hold with your fingers, as well as for mothers with spontaneous outflow of milk - in this position, the baby is easier to cope with the milk pouring into his mouth. It is also ideal for hyperactive babies, small babies, premature babies, or babies who have difficulty grasping the areola.

You should lie on the bed and comfortably arrange the crumbs under your armpit. The head of the baby is located on your palm, the back is on the forearm, the legs are behind your back, and with the hand with which you hold the child, you press his hips to you.

With one hand you hold the baby, and with the other you give him the breast.

vertical posture

This pose is used when feeding babies who are a little older but still breastfeeding, as well as babies suffering from spitting up.

Mom sits on a chair or on a bed. The child sits in front of the mother on a chair or on a pillow, his mouth is located at the level of the nipple. It is also possible that the child is held upright.

With one hand you hold the baby, with the other you cup the breast.

It may take all the patience of a mother to teach a baby to suck properly. Remember that the mother plays the leading role in feeding. It is she who chooses a position that is comfortable for two, alternating between different positions. It is she who directs the entire process and gently corrects possible errors.

In feeding, it is also very important that this is the time for the formation of attachment between mother and baby, the time for the emergence of trust and love. And, perhaps, for the first time, the baby will smile at you in these moments.

When we were just starting our professional career and were still inexperienced parents, we naively believed that breastfeeding is such a process programmed by nature that if you bring together a mother who has milk and a hungry child, this couple will automatically connect, milk will flow and the child will grow. In fact, most novice moms and babies need to be taught the right actions - what to take positions and how to suck. We want to not only encourage you to definitely breastfeed, but more importantly, to help you enjoy it.

First feedings

You can attach your baby to your breast just a few minutes after birth. Unless there are complications (for example, the baby is not breathing well), immediately after birth, the baby will be placed on your chest, tummy to stomach, cheek to chest, skin to skin (unless you are having a caesarean section) and covered warm towel. You can relax and enjoy the closeness of each other. Don't rush things. It is not yet time to introduce the child to the breast and put into practice what you have learned in the courses. Most newborns will lick the breast a little, try to suckle, take a break and lick the breast again, and again make several sucking movements. Sucking intermittently is typical for the first hours, and sometimes even the first days.

A few minutes after birth, most babies are in a state of calm but alert attention—the optimal state for starting interaction. When a child is calmly attentive, his eyes are wide open, he is looking for other eyes and breasts. Immediately after birth, some newborns, if they are resting on the mother's stomach, move towards the breast and often find what they are looking for with minimal assistance. When the baby is in this state, touch the nipple to his lips to trigger the natural sucking reflex.

The first communication is important for a number of reasons. Your first milk (colostrum) is the best food, and the sooner your baby suckles it, the better. Suckling helps the newborn recover from the stress of childbirth. Sucking calms, helps the child to get used to the new environment. In addition to feeding, from the very beginning it is important not to part with the child. This will help you understand the signals given by the child. When you see that the baby has opened his eyes, looks around and puts his fist in his mouth, it's time to offer him a breast.

Frequent feeding releases special hormones and the mother-child system begins to work.

Postures of mother and child during feeding

The role of correct postures during feeding cannot be overestimated. Most of the problems that we encountered in our practice (sore nipples, insufficient milk supply, mother's alienation from the child during feeding) stemmed from the fact that mothers did not follow the basic techniques of proper feeding from the very beginning.

Take the right posture

Get comfortable before feeding. Milk flows better if mom is relaxed. It is best to sit on a bed, in a rocking chair or in a chair with armrests. Pillows help a lot to sit comfortably and comfortably arrange the child. Put one behind your back, the second on your knees and the third under the elbow of the hand with which you are holding the child. If you are sitting in a chair, put a footstool under your feet - then your knees will rise, you will not have to strain your back and arm muscles to press the baby to your chest. Attune your feelings, your body to the child you will be feeding, think about milk, about the child, about motherhood.

Hold your baby right

Leave some clothes on the child (or undress him at all) so that skin touches skin. By undressing a baby who looks sleepy, you keep him awake and encourage him to suckle better. Hold your baby correctly:

1. Arrange the baby on your arm so that his neck rests on the crook of your elbow, the back rests on your arm, and your palm wraps around his bottom.
2. Turn the whole body of the child on its side so that he presses his tummy against your stomach. The head and neck of the child should be straightened, make sure that they do not bend back or to the sides in relation to the body. The baby should not turn his head or strain his neck to reach the nipple. (Try to turn your head to one side and drink a sip of water in this position. Then try to do the same with your head thrown back or tilting your chin. You will find that this is very uncomfortable.)
3. Raise the baby to your chest level by placing a pillow in your lap or with your feet on a stool. Let the pillow in your lap act as a support for your arm and bear the baby's weight. If you put the baby's weight on your arm, the muscles in your back and arms will tense. If the baby is too low on your knees, he will pull the chest down, increasing nipple friction.
4. Move the baby's arms if they are in the way When you turn the baby's body on its side, tummy to your stomach, place his arms in a cozy place between his body and your lower back If his forearms are in the way, pull them down, holding the thumb of the hand that holds the child
5. After you have removed the baby's arms so that they do not interfere with suckling, turn him towards you, tummy to your stomach. This basic position is called the "cradle".

How to breastfeed a baby

With your free hand, squeeze out a few drops of colostrum or milk to moisten the nipple. Cup the chest by supporting it with the palm of your hand so that four fingers are under the breast and the thumb is on top. Press your hand to your chest so that the areola does not close. If you have very large breasts, put a rolled up towel under it (for support), otherwise the breast may press on the baby's lower jaw.

Correct sucking technique

With the nipple moistened with milk, lightly touch the baby's lips, prompting him to open his mouth wide, as if yawning. The mouth opens very wide and then closes quickly, like the beak of a small bird. At this point, when the baby's mouth is wide open (and you patiently tease him with the nipple until the baby opens his mouth really wide), point the nipple to the center of the mouth and with a quick movement of the hand, pull the baby to you.

Remember two important components of a good suckling initiation - hand movement and quick movement. Many young mothers are not fast enough, they either do not cuddle the child well, or do not do it fast enough. Do not lean forward, do not stick out your chest towards the baby; quickly press the baby to the chest with the movement of the arm clasping him. Otherwise, you will have to sit hunched over the baby, and by the end of feeding you will be tired, your back will start to hurt. If your hand movement is too slow, or if you delay and your baby's mouth is already closing, he will most likely only latch on to the nipple and not be able to suckle properly.

The child should put the areola in his mouth. If you act quickly and correctly, the baby's gums will grip the areola with a radius of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm). If the child takes only nipples in his mouth, they will quickly be damaged. There is another reason why it is so important that the child takes the areola in his mouth. The lobules of the mammary gland, in which milk accumulates, are located under the areola. If the baby's gums do not press against them, he will not be able to suck out enough milk. The baby should take the areola cups in his mouth, not the nipples.

Open your baby's mouth wide! In order for the baby to start sucking correctly, it is necessary that he opens his mouth wide enough. Many children purse their lips, especially the smallest ones. Help your baby open his mouth wide by pressing the index finger of the hand you are holding the baby on his chin as you pull him towards you. At first, you may need someone's help. If you feel that the child is not taking the nipple correctly, temporarily stop supporting the breast and open his lips with your index finger. If again the correct position did not work out, stop the child by carefully inserting the index finger between the gums, and start all over again. Even if you have to repeat all the steps several times until everything works out as it should, do not give up on your attempts. This is a good practice, the child will learn to do the right movements. Look at this as your first discipline (discipline means teaching and directing), take a deep breath and start over.

When we teach nursing techniques to nurses and young doctors, we bring them to the maternity ward. After simply pressing on the child’s chin and straightening the position of the tucked lower lip, mothers usually exclaimed: “Now it doesn’t hurt at all. Now it's good."

Make it easy for the child to breathe. When you get your baby to open his mouth wide and adjust his lips, pull him close to you so that the tip of his nose touches your chest. Do not be afraid that he will suffocate, the child can breathe freely through the edges of the nose, even when the tip of the nose is flattened. If you feel like your nose is pinched, pull your baby's butt toward you, change the angle of your torso slightly, or lightly press your thumb on your chest to release the nose.

Support your chest. After the baby takes the breast correctly, support the breast with your hand throughout the feeding so that it does not press its weight on the newborn's mouth. When the baby grows up a little and becomes stronger, you will no longer need to support the breast, your hand will be free for most of the feeding mouth between gums.

Common mistakes in postures of nursing mothers and in the way the baby takes the breast:

• The child is spinning, his body is not pressed against the mother's stomach.
• The baby's mouth is not wide enough when you insert the nipple into it.
• Lips turn inward.
• The baby squeezes the nipple, and does not press on the areola.
• You are too sluggish, instead of quickly pulling the baby and inserting the nipple into the wide open mouth.

Two kinds of sucking

After a few weeks, you will notice that the baby sucks in different ways: firstly, to enjoy and calm down, and secondly, to satisfy the feeling of hunger. With the first type of sucking, the child receives milk that is not rich in fats, with the second, the facial muscles work so intensely that the ears can even move. During such sucking, the child receives more high-calorie and saturated milk.

Alternative feeding positions

In the first week, it is reasonable to teach the child to suck in not one, but at least two positions. Two more comfortable feeding positions are lying on your side and sitting on a bed on a pillow with a baby on your lap. These positions are very comfortable in the first days after a caesarean section.

Side feeding. When feeding lying on your side, you hold the baby in much the same way as in the "cradle" position, but both you and the baby lie on your side facing each other. Place two pillows under your head, one behind your back, one more under your upper leg, and tuck the fifth behind your child's back. Five pillows is a lot, but you need to provide the most comfort Place the baby on its side facing you, wrap your arm around it and move it up and down until the mouth is in line with the nipple. Then proceed as already described.

Feeding with a baby on your lap with a pillow under his back. This position can be useful in cases where it is difficult to get the baby to suckle when he is in your arms.

Feeding sitting on the bed. Notice how the pillow provides a comfortable position for both the mother and the baby to twist and arch the back so it doesn't pull itself to the breast. It is also good for small, weak or premature babies. Sitting in bed or in a chair with armrests, place a pillow on one side or slip one end of it between you and the armrest and place it on the child's pillow. It should lie on the side of the chest that you are going to give him, and close to you, you hold him with your hand and with the same hand support the back of his head. Stretch the child's legs so that they rest on a pillow that is laid behind your back. Make sure that the baby does not rest his feet on the back of the chair or pillow, otherwise he will arch the back. If this happens, move the baby so that his legs are bent at the hip joint, and his legs and buttocks are pressed against the pillow behind your back. Next, follow the same pattern - with the other hand, cup the breast and pull the baby towards you. When the baby takes the breast correctly and begins to suck, tuck the pillow behind him so that you can comfortably hold him against the breast.

We advise new mothers to seek advice from a breastfeeding specialist within the first few days after giving birth to learn proper feeding techniques from the very beginning before bad habits develop. A few years ago, we began encouraging first-time moms who came to see us to consult our breastfeeding center within 48 hours of giving birth to learn proper feeding positions and suckling techniques. As a result, the number of calls to us about breastfeeding problems has decreased very noticeably; both mother and newborn received more satisfaction from feeding.

Breastfeeding is a natural process, conceived by nature itself. In no case should it cause discomfort. It should be as comfortable as possible for both mom and her baby. You can breastfeed while sitting and lying down. The latter is especially important at night, when you don’t want to get up so much, but you need to put the baby to your chest.

Having thoroughly mastered this science, you can do everything even on the machine, half asleep. So, how to feed a newborn with breast milk lying down?

on the side

The baby's body should be elevated. His head comfortably lies on his mother's arm bent at the elbow, which means that his mouth is on the same level with the nipple. The ear and shoulder are on the same line. The tummy is pressed against the mother's belly. It is important that only the woman's head is on the pillow. If the shoulders and back are also on it in the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades, then feeding lying down will not work, it will be uncomfortable.

Another option on the side

The child also lies next to the mother, but not on her elbow. In this case, you can put a small and low pillow under his head. With her upper hand, the woman gently presses him to her.

Lying out of the upper chest

This position will be useful if you need to change the breast. A minimum of body movements, while you can not roll over and not shift the baby. It just needs to be lifted by placing the body on an additional pillow. The lower mother's hand serves as a support, and the upper one holds the child. True, it will not work for a long time to feed in this way.

Jack, or out of hand

An unusual position, but very effective for lactostasis in the upper lobes of the chest. It doesn't seem very comfortable, but it really isn't. The child lies on its side, its legs are directed to the head of the mother, and the head to the stomach. You need to put a roller under the back of it, since it will be inconvenient to hold it with your hand.

riding mom

Breastfeeding while lying on your back is also possible. The baby lies on the mother's tummy to her stomach. His head is turned to the side. It is very pleasant to rest in this position. And in situations where a woman has too much milk and the flow is strong, it is also useful. According to the laws of physics, milk is no longer flowing so actively, the baby chokes less, and it is more convenient for him to grab the breast. We especially recommend it in the first months, when lactation is just being established. It is easy to move into this position by sliding out of the usual sitting position, with little or no disturbance to the baby.

Improper breastfeeding lying down

No need to lean on the elbow, as if hanging over the baby. This is very inconvenient and will quickly lead to fatigue. It is also important to make sure that in any position the baby does not roll away from you on the back, and he does not have to bend over to the nipple. So the chest is not fed to him at the right angle, therefore it easily slips out of his mouth.

So, it is possible to feed the baby lying down, you just need to choose the right position. Arrange so that you and the baby are as comfortable and cozy as possible. Pillows may be useful for this, not necessarily special ones. It is important to feel completely relaxed. After all, if you practice on-demand feeding recommended by modern pediatricians, then the duration of one session can be quite long. Especially for a newborn. Relax in comfort and enjoy these wonderful moments of unity with your baby.