How To Position Your Baby During Breastfeeding

I used to think that breastfeeding is natural for any mother and child at the time I was pregnant with my son. Although I voraciously read lot of things about nursing a newborn, including the benefits of breastfeeding at that time, with my notion that breastfeeding is something that will come naturally and easy for me and my son, I did not bother to read on articles with detailed instructions on how to breastfeed, let alone watch videos on how to do it.

When we first brought my son home, I found myself feeling frustrated with my inability to even latch him on my breast. I was so wrong to think that it will be very instinctive and easy. In fact, after talking to a lot of my friends, most of them attested that it was a lot of hard work in the beginning. How I wished then that I took some time to read about it. With tips from friends and family who breastfed their babies, I finally learned how to do it and how to position my son so that he got enough milk and I felt comfortable at the same time.

For first time mothers out there, don’t make the mistake of having the same misconception that I had. There are several positions you can try when breastfeeding your baby. Personally, I am more comfortable nursing my son, sitting down. Some women who have fuller breasts would actually prefer to breast feed lying on their side. For those of you who are more comfortable nursing your child while sitting down, here are some helpful tips on how to position your baby when breastfeeding:

• It is important to make sure that both you and your baby are comfortable and relaxed before you start nursing.  If the baby is crying, gently cradle the baby, sing or whisper to the baby to soothen his or her crying.
• Sit up straight, support the baby by placing his/her head in the bend of your elbow. Place your other hand at the back of the baby for support. You may want to put a pillow on your lap so you can rest your arms on it. You may also want to put use a footstool for added comfort.
• You’ll know that you’ve done it right if your baby’s tummy is touching yours.
• Stroke the side of the baby’s mouth with your nipple to prod him or her to open his or her mouth. It may take a while, so be patient. Babies are mostly asleep for their first 2 weeks.
• Quickly bring your baby to the breast, once he or she opens his or her mouth wide, like a yawn. Bring the baby closer to your breast instead of leaning over, which could give you back pains later on.

Breastfeeding ensures that we give our children the best nutrition at that tender age. Other than that, it is also enables us mothers to foster a deeper bond with our children. Happy breastfeeding!