6 Basic Breastfeeding Tips All Mothers Need To Know

Contents:

• Medical Video: Breastfeeding Position and Latch
  
• 1. Pay attention to the breastfeeding position
  
• 2. Notice when your baby wants to suckle
  
• 3. Regularly pumping breast milk
  
• 4. Maintaining healthy nipples
  
• 5. Maintain a diet for nursing mothers
  

Medical Video: Breastfeeding Position and Latch

Breastfeeding is one of the precious moments for mothers who have just given birth to their baby. Basically, breastfeeding is a natural process, but not a few mothers who have difficulty in carrying out the process. Don't be worried. Follow breastfeeding tips that are safe and comfortable for you and your little one.

1. Pay attention to the breastfeeding position

The most important tips for breastfeeding so that you and your baby feel comfortable is to pay attention to the breastfeeding position. Reporting from LiveScience, according to Debbie Pierce, a breastfeeding consultant at Kaiser Permanente Colorado, mothers are encouraged to try various breastfeeding positions to prevent various problems that can occur in the breast during breastfeeding.

There are a number of basic breastfeeding positions that you can try, including leaning positions,cradle-hold (pet baby),cross-cradle hold, slanting sleeping position, and various other positions. The important thing is that you need to start with comfort first. Rest your body on the pillow if necessary so that you are more comfortable before you start breastfeeding.

Slowly, support the baby's head until it is level with your breast. Align the baby's mouth close to the nipple and attach the baby's stomach to your stomach. Once the position is right, point your breast areola (dark area around your nipple) to the baby's mouth so that he can breastfeed properly. Make sure your entire breast areola comes into the back of the baby's mouth, so that the tongue and mouth can massage the mammary glands in your breast.

The best position for breastfeeding is when the chin and the tip of the baby's nose touch your breasts. When the baby's lips point out while breastfeeding, there is a rhythmic movement on the cheeks and jaw, and there is a sound of swallowing, so you can be sure your baby is feeding comfortably.

Some experts recommend that you lure your baby to open his mouth before breastfeeding. So, the breastfeeding process will feel natural without having to force your baby to start breastfeeding. The trick is to tickle the baby's lower lip with your nipples until the baby's mouth is wide open. Thus, you become aware of whether your baby really feels thirsty or not.

2. Notice when your baby wants to suckle

The second tip for breastfeeding is to understand the times your child wants to suckle. During the first few weeks, most newborns will routinely breastfeed every two to three hours. At these times you can pay attention to the initial signs your child feels hungry and wants to breastfeed, such as looking nervous, sucking movements, and lip movements.

Keep your baby feeding on both of your breasts alternately. Let your baby breastfeed from the first side of the breast first, about 15 to 20 minutes until your breasts feel softer. If it is enough, bring the baby slowly to release gas in his stomach.

After that, try offering the other side of the breast. If your child is still hungry, then he will suckle again. But if not, start the next breastfeeding session with the second breast. The most important thing is to follow whenever the baby wishes to suckle.

3. Regularly pumping breast milk

The more often you breastfeed your baby, the more milk you can produce. Thus, the release of breast milk will feel more natural.

Even though you are breastfeeding regularly, there are times when you need to pump breast milk out of your breast. Because if not, this can cause breast swelling or a condition when the breast feels very full of milk, large, hard, heavy, and soft. This is why, the mother often feels pain in her breasts.

You can try removing the milk to relieve the discomfort by massaging it by hand or using an ASI pump. This serves to reduce pressure and maintain the supply of breast milk for the little one.

According to Nancy Hurst, a certified lactation consultant in Texas, the frequency of ASI pumps depends on the reason for breast stimulation. If this is because the baby cannot breastfeed directly, then the mother needs to pump at least 6 to 8 times a day for the first 10 days postpartum. If the ASI pump is done because the mother has returned to work, the mother needs to pay attention to the ASI pump schedule as often as possible to meet the needs of the baby's milk.

4. Maintaining healthy nipples

The biggest challenge that is often experienced by nursing mothers is nipple blisters or swollen breasts. Don't worry, this is natural and definitely can be passed by nursing mothers.

Blisters are usually caused by improper breastfeeding so the baby sucks or pulls the nipples too deeply and makes the mother's nipples blister. If your nipples are scratched, try applying a little lanolin ointment to your nipples every time you finish breastfeeding. This can calm cracked nipples and maintain the moisture of your nipples. Thus, you and your child can go through a comfortable breastfeeding process throughout the day.

5. Maintain a diet for nursing mothers

Tips for breastfeeding that are no less important are paying attention to the mother's food intake. Because, whatever you eat will be channeled to your baby through breast milk. If you eat healthy food, then your baby's nutritional needs will also be maintained so that the development will be more maximal.

• Eat healthy food. Increase the intake of fruits, vegetables and seeds to maintain stamina and energy for nursing mothers.
• Increase fluid intake. Consumption of water, juice and milk can help you stay hydrated. It's best to avoid caffeinated drinks so they don't interfere with your baby's sleep patterns.
• Avoid smoking. Nicotine content in cigarettes can indirectly interfere with your baby's sleep hours. Stay away from smokers to avoid the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and respiratory disease in infants.
• Pay attention to the medicines you are taking. Immediately consult a doctor if you take certain drugs and make sure that the drug is safely consumed by nursing mothers like you.

Ask about the need for vitamin D supplements for your baby, especially if you want to breastfeed exclusively. Because the milk may not be sufficient for vitamin D, which can help your baby absorb calcium and phosphorus, the nutrients needed for bone strength.