Breastfeeding 101
Mylee Zschech is the founder of Little Big Dreamers. She is a Child Sleep and Behavior Consultant and Lactation counselor helping families transition through the early years. @littlebigdreamerssleep
Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing, but it can also be difficult and stressful, whether you are a first-time parent or a second or third-time one. Just because we hear a lot about how natural breastfeeding is, doesn't mean it comes easily. Learning to breastfeed time and practice, like walking, talking, or riding a bike. We aren't born just knowing how to do it - we practice the skills necessary to do it until we feel confident.
Advantages of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has many benefits both for the baby and the breastfeeding parent. Breast milk provides babies with the important nutrition they need for healthy growth and development. Breast milk also changes over time to meet a growing baby's needs. It helps to protect babies against illness by sharing antibodies between the breastfeeding parent and the baby. It reduces the risk of diarrhea and vomiting during the newborn period, as well as reduces the risk of ear infections. Breastfeeding lowers a child's risk of obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Breastfeeding also helps reduce the breastfeeding parent's risk of breast and ovarian cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Breastfeeding produces the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus contract after delivery - helping it return to its normal size and reduces the amount of vaginal bleeding after delivery.
Understanding milk supply
Three big things influence the total amount of milk that a breastfeeding person produces in a day - how OFTEN, how QUICKLY, and how COMPLETELY breasts are emptied. This means the more you breastfeed, the more milk you produce. If your baby is feeding regularly and draining the milk well, then the message will be sent to the milk-making cells in your breasts to keep making and filling with milk.
Feeding patterns
As a newborn, you are aiming for between 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. Once your milk comes in, which generally happens around days 3 -5 postpartum, you will know your baby is feeding enough because they are having at least 6 wet diapers and 3 or more dirty diapers a day.
Feeding cues
Feed your baby any time they show early hunger cues. These cues begin during REM sleep - when there is rapid eye movement. As a baby becomes hungrier and more awake, they show more signs, including:
Rooting - turning head and opening mouth.
Bringing their fists to their mouth.
Smacking their lips or sticking out their tongue.
Making mmmmm sounds.
Fussing.
It is important to note that crying is the LAST sign of hunger. Babies who are hungry-crying often have a more aggressive suck when feeding; which can lead to more nipple injuries during breastfeeding. If your baby is crying but needs a feed you can try skin-to-skin to help them calm down before offering the feed.
Let down
The let down reflex is an important part of the breastfeeding process. The feeling differs from woman to woman and changes with the volume of milk your baby is taking in; and where you are in the milk-making process. For some breastfeeders they’ll feel a tingling sensation or the feeling of pins and needles, others will feel pressure like their breasts are over full and others will notice some milk leakage out of the breast which is not being nursed on. And some breastfeeders won't notice any signs and sensations at all.
If you aren’t sure if the letdown reflex is happening for you, the best thing you can do is watch your baby feeding. You should notice regular gulping or swallowing every few sucks. This won’t be sustained throughout the feeding as the milk flow is reduced but should happen early on in the feed.
How to latch
Making sure you are helping your baby latch on to the breast properly is an important step in ensuring that your baby breastfeeds well and you don't experience pain.
Step one: Position your baby so their tummy is toward your tummy and their nose is to your nipple. Often moms will start with their baby’s mouth directly across from the nipple. But nose to nipple helps get a deeper latch!
Step two: Make sure your baby opens their mouth very wide before coming to the nipple. This also helps get a deeper, pain-free latch.
There are signs you can look out for each breast feed that will tell you if the latch isn’t a good one:
Your baby is only latching on to your nipple.
Your baby's lips are curled in.
Your baby falls asleep quickly after latching on.
You seldom hear swelling noises.
You feel pain while breastfeeding.
If you notice any of these signs it is important to break the latch and try again.
Breastfeeding positions
There are many different breastfeeding positions that work really well. You may need to try different breastfeeding positions to find the ones that work for you and your baby. It is most important that you feel comfortable and your baby feeds well in whatever position you choose.
Cradle hold
The cradle hold is one of the most popular breastfeeding positions and is easy to do anywhere – at a table, on the couch, in a car etc…
What to do: Sit in a comfortable position perhaps with a pillow behind your back for support (especially when new to breastfeeding). Lay your baby across your lap sideways with their head facing towards you. Your baby's head should be in line with your breast. Us your arm on the side you intend to breastfeed to support your baby's head.
Football hold
This position can be great for so many different reasons. It is easier when you are breastfeeding twins, or if you have larger breasts. It can help control the flow if you have a strong let-down.
What to do: Sit in a comfortable position and lay your baby on one side of your body, between the side of your chest and your arm. Support your baby's upper body with your arm and hand. Your baby's legs can be flexed as they push against the back of the chair (which is extra beneficial for breastfeeding).
Laid-back position
This is a great position for moms that have a fast letdown or oversupply, because babies have a much better chance to control the flow and can move away and take a break or tweak their position.
What to do: Lay down on a bed or couch. Lay your baby on your chest and allow them to latch on. Support them with your hand or arm as they feed.
Side-lying position
This is a good position when breastfeeding overnight or recovering from a cesarean.
What to do: Lay your baby’s tummy to your tummy. Allow them to latch on. Make sure there is no excess bedding around the infant that could pose a suffocation hazard.
If you are ever unsure about what you are doing, experiencing pain or just want support, don’t hesitate to contact a lactation professional. They will be more than happy to help. We all need help and support sometimes.