Correct breast attachment. We breastfeed with pleasure. Safe Feeding Rules

Every mother looks forward to the moment when she puts her baby to her breast for the first time. In the maternity hospital, the woman will be shown how to properly apply the baby and control the feeding process. But in order to do everything right in the future, mom needs to familiarize herself with the basic rules and recommendations for feeding.

In just a few times, the mother begins to understand exactly how to put the baby to the breast, and she even forms her own special feeding ritual. But the child himself begins to suckle correctly only two months after birth, and all this time the mother must teach him and control the process. breastfeeding.

Every mother should understand that breastfeeding is an important element in the development of the child, since it is such feeding that provides:

Complete and balanced nutrition for the health of the child;
It also allows you to maintain the health of the mother, since breastfeeding is a prophylactic against milk stagnation, mastitis or education);
An important psychological bond is formed between the child and the mother.

The concept of the correct latch on the nipple

The most common mistake is the belief that the nipple plays a key role in the process of feeding a newborn. However, in fact, the correct latch on the nipple occurs when the nipple is not involved in the feeding process.

In order for the child to eat properly, he needs to stimulate the areola, in which the lactiferous sinuses are located. The nipple acts only as a conductor for milk.

If the baby is properly attached to the breast, his mouth is wide open, he captures the breast as much as possible, and the nipple is directed upwards. The baby should be tightly pressed to the mother, and to get milk, the lower jaw works intensively. This process does not cause pain or injury to the nipple. However, at the initial stage of breastfeeding, there may be minor pain which pass very quickly. This is due to a change in the epithelium on the nipple.

When applied incorrectly the child does not capture the entire breast, but receives milk only from the nipple, without stimulating production. In this case, the baby may be half-starved, and the mother may develop milk stagnation, mastitis, or cracks. Some mothers do not take such difficulties seriously, and continue to feed the child incorrectly, decanting milk residues and treating mastitis and fissures. However, this will not help eliminate the problem and only the correct feeding technique can correct the situation.

Below we will tell you how to properly attach the baby during feeding. To do this, do the following:

Mom should take a comfortable position in which her shoulder girdle will be completely relaxed.

Breastfeeding should not be done in a fussy, hurried or awkward position, as this leads to a weakening of the milk ejection reflexes. If a woman is forbidden to sit after childbirth, it is best to feed the baby lying down.

Place the baby near the chest correctly.

The body of the baby should be turned towards the mother, and the head and mouth should be at the level of the nipple. If the baby takes the wrong position, he will pull the breast too hard and injure the nipples. One of the best positions for feeding a baby is considered to be the position in which both mother and child lie on their sides facing each other, and the mother holds the child by the back and buttocks.

Some mothers are afraid that when the child rests on the chest with his nose, it becomes more difficult for him to breathe. But this is not the case, because the baby receives a sufficient amount of air during feeding through the edges of the nostrils. Therefore, you do not need to hold the chest with your hand, while simultaneously blocking the milk channels.

How to apply the baby when feeding?

Every baby at birth already has a reflex that allows him to grab the breast. But for the first few feedings, the baby can be helped by moving the areola along the upper lip. Gradually, the baby himself will learn to reach for the breast and grab the nipple, and the mother will only need to guide his head.

When the baby is ready to feed, his mouth is wide open, the lower lip is pulled back and captures most of the areola, being far from the nipple.

Feeding process

When a baby suckles, a part of the gum and tongue will be visible behind the lower lip, which make wave-like movements to squeeze out milk. While eating, the baby's lips should be turned out (in no case drawn in), the nose and chin should be pressed to the chest, and the cheeks should move freely. When the child eats well, you can hear how he makes swallowing movements.

There is also one little trick, which will help strengthen the bond between mother and baby and make the feeding process more enjoyable: if possible, the baby should be fed naked, and it is also better for mom to undress to the waist so that the baby feels the warmth of mother's skin.

The most successful postures for feeding

There are several basic positions that will help you understand how to apply the baby for comfortable feeding.

tummy to tummy

As mentioned above, this is one of the most common and comfortable positions, and for extra comfort, mom can put a pillow or cushion under her arm.

Sitting down feeding

You can imagine this position as follows: the mother and child from the position of the tummy to the tummy need to be mentally “planted”. In this position, the baby is also turned with its body towards the mother, resting its head on the mother's hand. It is best if the baby's head is in the crook of the elbow. With the second hand, the baby is supported by the back, and for greater convenience, a pillow is placed under the supporting arm.

Armpit Pose

To feed in this position, the mother needs to sit on the sofa, put a pillow next to her, and not her baby so that his body is under the armpit. This position is convenient because the process of breastfeeding is easier to control, the mother's hands do not get tired, and the baby grabs the breast faster.

Lying position

This position is most suitable for mothers who cannot sit after giving birth. In fact, these are just variations of the tummy to tummy pose.

standing feeding

If the baby is in a sling, you can feed him while standing, but for this the baby must be in a sitting or reclining position. It is not allowed to feed the baby when he lies on his mother's stomach. Firstly, in this position, it will be uncomfortable for him to make sucking movements, and secondly, pressure on the stomach can lead to regurgitation of milk.

Proper feeding of twins

It is best to try several positions to find the most convenient for feeding two babies at the same time. So the children will eat on time, and the mother will not rush during feeding.

Feeding duration

There is no single time period that is considered sufficient for feeding. The time a baby spends suckling at the breast depends on his temperament, sucking speed, mother's mammary glands and many other factors.

On average, the duration of one feeding is from five to twenty minutes. Sometimes the child falls asleep right in the process of eating. If this happens, you need to lightly rub his cheek so that the baby wakes up and continues to eat.

Many mothers are interested in the question of whether it is possible to give the child both breasts in one feeding. If a woman has no problems with lactation, and the child is alone, the baby should suckle only one breast for one feeding (that is, it is necessary to give each breast in turn for a new feeding).

The process of breast sucking activates the production of prolactin, which is responsible for lactation. Therefore, when sucking on one breast, the second one will be filled with milk automatically, but even if both mammary glands are empty after feeding, they will definitely be filled by the next feeding.

How to finish feeding?

If a woman already knows how to properly apply a baby for feeding, then she will definitely have a question about how to take the breast. It is important that a well-fed baby will release the nipple himself, so you can’t try to pull it out by force. Firstly, this can make the baby angry, and secondly, when the nipple is pulled out, the baby will reflexively clench his jaw and pinch the nipple in his mouth, which can lead to injury.

Sometimes it also happens that the child fell asleep, but did not release the breast from the mouth, or he simply holds the nipple in his mouth, but does not drink. In this case, it is enough just to take the nipple to the side, to the corner of the mouth, and the baby will release it himself.

Approximate feeding frequency

Many mothers are also interested in how often to put the baby to the breast. Just like with the duration of feeding, there is no clear time frame in this matter. There used to be medical advice that a baby should be fed every three hours or so, but these are no longer relevant and most adhere to an on-demand feeding schedule. You can understand that the baby is hungry by his behavior: he begins to cry, turn his head and open his mouth when he touches his face.

The first few days after birth, the baby asks for breasts from seven to fourteen times a day, but in the future, the frequency of attachments increases and can reach up to four times per hour.

How to breastfeed a baby who cries a lot?

Mom's breast perfectly calms the crying baby, but you should not abuse this remedy. In order for the child to properly capture the chest and eat well, you need to hold him in your arms a little so that he calms down a little, and even better, stops crying altogether. An emotionally overexcited baby can squeeze a drop of milk onto his lips, or draw a nipple on his cheek - then he will quickly calm down.

How to understand that the baby is full?

This question is one of the most difficult for women who exclusively breastfeed their children. Babies cannot suck as much milk from their breasts at one time as from a bottle, so babies are applied to their mother's breasts much more often than those who eat mixtures.

You can understand that a child has enough mother's milk by the following signs:

After sucking, there is a feeling of emptiness in the chest;
The child is often attached to the breast;
The baby has regular feces and urination (about 5-6 diapers should go per day);
The general health of the baby is good: he is in a good mood, willingly plays, he has clear eyes and clean elastic skin;
The baby is gaining weight regularly.

Many are also interested in the question of whether the baby can overeat. Over time, the baby develops a habit of breast milk, and he consumes only the amount that he really needs. But even if the child overeats, he will definitely burp the rest of the milk.

There is also no need to worry that the baby's digestive tract is greatly overloaded if the mother often breastfeeds the baby. Breast milk has a balanced composition, so it is absorbed very quickly, and milk produced at night is completely less fat and practically does not burden the digestive organs.

The most common mistakes

Of course, proper attachment of the baby to the breast is important in breastfeeding, but there are other factors that can disrupt lactation.

Washing breasts with soap before each feeding.

Physiologically, there are no pathogens on the female breast. For proper care it is enough to simply take a shower twice a day, but the use of soap destroys the natural lubrication of the breast, which protects it from viruses and bacteria.

During feeding, the mother holds the breast from above or keeps it on weight, fearing that the baby will suffocate.

When a baby suckles at the breast, his nose may fit snugly against it or even be pressed into the breast. This is completely normal, and you do not need to hold your chest. The baby gets enough oxygen through the edges of the nostrils, and milk comes in response to sucking movements, and not due to the special position of the breast itself.

After feeding the child, they are supplemented with water or tea.

Breast milk is a very balanced product that is not only food, but also drink. Therefore, it is not necessary to give the baby any additional fluids.

When the baby tries to suck something through the nipple or takes a pacifier in his mouth, he may refuse the breast altogether. This is due to the fact that sucking through a bottle is much easier than from the breast. But even babies who breastfeed normally after a bottle can begin to latch on incorrectly.

Switching to formula milk during infectious diseases or when cracked nipples appear.

This is one of the most common mistakes. If cracks appear on the nipples, treatment should be done between feedings, and continue to breastfeed the baby through special silicone pads. Stopping feeding is allowed only with very deep cracks, but even in this case, the mother should decant into a bottle and give milk to the baby through a pipette or from a spoon.

If the mother has a cold, then she should only wear a mask for feeding. Pathogenic microorganisms will not get to the baby through milk, which only contains antibodies to a cold.

Expression of milk after each feeding.

There is also an opinion that after each feeding, you need to express the rest of the milk in order to improve lactation. However, this method is relevant only if the mother is separated from the child for a long time, but wants to remain on breastfeeding. Without a good reason, pumping only leads to unnecessary trauma to the breast and can change its shape.

Every mother should know that the sooner the child tries breast milk, all the better. The first attachment to the baby to the breast is recommended to be carried out immediately after birth directly in the delivery room in the first 20-30 minutes after birth, taking into account, of course, the condition of the baby and mother. In many foreign countries this has long been the rule.

Immediately after birth, if the condition of the newborn and mother is good, the midwife places the baby on the mother's chest close to the nipple. If the child does not suck, but even touches the nipple, then at least a few drops of colostrum will fall into his mouth.

Colostrum is extremely nutritious and very beneficial. It contains a huge amount of proteins, vitamins A, C, B 12, E, immunoglobulins, antibodies, hormones necessary for the newborn. Colostrum is designed to ensure a smooth transition from the nutrition that he received in utero to real mature milk, which is why it is so important early first putting the baby to the breast.

Early attachment of the baby to the breast ensures earlier and more stable subsequent lactation, and early wetting of the mouth and digestive tract even a small amount colostrum with a very high concentration of immunoglobulin A protects the child from intense bacterial contamination, contributes to the formation of normal intestinal microflora.

However, it should be borne in mind that there are a number of contraindications to the early attachment of a child to the breast on the part of both the mother (caesarean section, Rh conflict, etc.) and the baby (prematurity, malformations, etc.). These situations should be discussed in detail with specialists.

Laying out on the stomach is the logical conclusion of childbirth. It signals to the mother and child that the stressful situation ended successfully, that both of them did not work in vain and emerged victorious. The harmony that existed between them before has been restored. Now you can relax and enjoy each other.

Of great importance for establishing a deep emotional connection between parents and a child is the first eye contact. A woman clutching a child to her chest forgets about her suffering, her face brightens and at this moment mutual understanding is established between her and the child, allowing you to feel each other without words.

Ways to attach a baby to the breast

Let's say right away - there is no single right way keep the baby while feeding. Mom and her child will independently find the most convenient position for both of them.

Sometimes women can breastfeed their children from the very beginning without any difficulty. However, most mothers, especially primiparas, need help first. And then it is useful to observe the following principles.

For attachment and successful breastfeeding, it is important correct location child's body. If proper breastfeeding and positioning is achieved from the first and early feedings, most problems will be avoided.

The basic principle is that the baby should be able to take the breast easily with a full mouth. To do this, his body must be close to the mother's, and the head must have full ability to move without any restrictions.

Principles of correct attachment of the child to the breast

At irregular shape nipples (flat, inverted) children tend to gradually adapt to the unusual shape of the mother's nipples. If the baby is not properly attached to the breast, it is necessary to interrupt the sucking and make a new attempt.

Signs of improper sucking:

Baby sucks or "chews" only the nipple

The tongue only works on the tip of the nipple

Lips and gums squeeze the nipple in its middle

Lips suck only the nipple

No need to interrupt feeding - if the baby is full, then he releases the breast. If you need to take it off the breast urgently, you should carefully insert your finger into the baby's mouth to interrupt the sucking, otherwise a disgruntled baby may pinch the nipple, which will lead to the formation of cracks.

The duration of breastfeeding does not matter. Most children are satiated in 5-10 minutes. Some require 20-30 minutes or even more.

If the mother has twins, then there is enough milk for both. Some women feed both twins at the same time, others take turns.

A premature baby can be applied to the breast with a body weight of more than 1800 g in the absence of serious abnormalities in health. At first, he sucks with respite. No need to take the breast from him during these breaks. If by state premature baby can not be attached to the breast, then it is necessary to feed him with expressed breast milk.

Thus, we have analyzed the main aspects and features of the correct attachment of the child to the breast and sincerely hope that this information will help you.

How to put the baby to the breast so that he eats up, and the mother does not experience pain?

Take a comfortable position, let your back lean on the back of a sofa or chair. Excess tension will only tire and annoy, so take care to be as relaxed as possible.
Hold the baby so that his head rests on your forearm. The baby should be turned with the body and facing you, the ear, shoulder and tummy should be at the same level. The bottom arm of the baby should be pressed against his body, and not between you and him.
You do not lean towards the baby, but bring it closer to the chest.

Baby breast latch

It is important to give the baby not only a nipple, but also a halo. Grab your chest with your hand so that thumb was at the bottom and the rest at the top. Slide the nipple along the baby's upper lip, he will respond by opening his mouth and searching for the breast. Put the nipple and halo into the baby's mouth so that his tongue is down, the lower lip is turned outward, the chin touches the chest, and the nose breathes freely. Point the nipple up towards the sky of the baby. The baby's mouth should be wide open, this will help him not to choke and swallow air. Your main task is to move the lower lip and jaw as far as possible from the base of the nipple. Thanks to this, the baby will take as much breast as possible into the mouth with his tongue and feed more efficiently in terms of milk output, as well as painlessly for the mother. Try not to lean towards the baby, but pull him closer to your chest. With proper application, it can only hurt for the first few seconds, if the pain is constant, practice more. Usually, all discomfort disappears after 2 weeks and the mother experiences the pleasure of breastfeeding.

Proper attachment to the chest - photo

Signs of proper attachment

With proper attachment to the breast, the baby will suck at the breast with a wide-open mouth and actively working with the tongue. At first, the baby will make several quick sucking movements, this stimulates the production of oxytocin and the flow of milk. After that, the baby will move on to slow deep sucking movements, you will hear how he swallows. Sometimes the baby will stop, then, the pauses will become more frequent as the feeding continues, and the flow of milk will slow down. If the proper latch on technique is done, the baby's body will relax as he feeds and he will not have difficulty breathing.

Throughout the feeding, keep the baby attached to the breast until he is ready to finish feeding, letting go of the breast on his own, being in a calm state.

Baby's behavior during feeding

It is normal for the baby to let go of the breast after a few minutes to burp and then return to feeding again. In this case, the flow of milk can be at its maximum. If the baby spits out the breast during feeding, while being in a state of anxiety and irritation, then most likely he was not properly attached to the breast.

The baby shows that he has finished sucking the breast, releasing it from his mouth. You can offer him another breast, which the child will take or not, depending on his appetite. Do not interrupt breastfeeding or try to speed up feeding by shaking the baby or the breast. You must allow the baby to suckle freely at the breast until he is satisfied. In the first days of life Small child can suckle for a long time and take long pauses during feedings.

Pain during feeding

In the first two weeks after childbirth, almost all mothers experience pain during breastfeeding, to the point that thoughts appear whether it is necessary to breastfeed the baby. Don't worry, if you follow the technique of proper attachment to the breast, you will definitely begin to enjoy this most important process in your baby's life. Normally, discomfort can be in the first seconds after application, and then disappear, if, of course, the baby took the breast correctly. But these feelings will completely disappear after a while, and breastfeeding will become a joy for you and your baby.

The first attachment to the breast of a child is one of the most responsible and expected events in the life of a new mother!

As a rule, in maternity hospitals, the first feeding takes place under the supervision and with the help of a midwife or doctor, but it is better for a woman to already know the basic rules for breastfeeding.

By the way, after the first three or four feedings, the mother forms her own “ritual”, which she follows all the subsequent time.

The child learns to suckle correctly at the breast for about 2 months. Therefore, the task of mothers is to help the baby and control the feeding process. And it is better to become a professional in this pleasant business from the first days of feeding! In this article, we will reveal all the exciting and topical issues of breastfeeding technology.

So, what ensures the correct attachment of the baby to the breast and the physiological course of the feeding process?

The health of the child who receives optimal and complete nutrition;
Prevention of such troubles as cracked nipples, stagnation of milk, lack of milk;
Harmony and peace of mother and child, between which a strong, albeit invisible connection is formed.

What does proper nipple latch mean?

Proper latch during feeding occurs when the nipple is not involved in the process of sucking milk. Yes exactly. Many mothers are deeply mistaken, assuming that only the nipple is involved in feeding.

In fact, to get milk, the baby stimulates the areola. It is there that the lactiferous sinuses are located, in which milk accumulates. The nipple, when sucking, is turned to the upper jaw of the child, and serves as a kind of conductor for milk.

If the baby is properly attached to the breast- in this case, the child's mouth is wide open, the capture of the mother's breast is maximum, and here the nipple is directed to the upper palate and does not participate in feeding, the areola is stimulated. The child is tightly pressed to the mother and intensively works with the lower jaw. In this case, the nipple is not injured (see), the mammary gland is intensively emptied and the woman does not experience pain. In the first weeks of feeding, slight pain sensations can be at the very beginning of feeding and they pass quickly (1-2 minutes), this is due to a change in the epithelium in the first days of feeding.

If the application is wrong- in this case, the child's mouth is only slightly open, he sucks only the nipple and the milk that has accumulated near the nipple, practically not extracting milk from the entire breast. Such feeding is fraught with the development of stagnation, the formation of cracks, the child will remain half-starved. A young mother may not take the difficulties that have arisen seriously and courageously continue to feed the child incorrectly without making adjustments to the attachment technique. This only aggravates the situation. Even if you express milk during engorgement and stagnation, treat cracked nipples - positive result will not be until the mother learns how to apply the child correctly.

Take a comfortable position in which the shoulder girdle will be relaxed

You can not feed the baby in an uncomfortable position, because with a tense state of the shoulder girdle, with fuss or haste, the milk release reflex will be weakened. If after childbirth a woman cannot sit - feeding lying down best option for both mother and baby.

Position the baby correctly at the breast

The baby's body should be turned towards the mother and lie in the same plane with the head, the mouth should be on the same level with the nipple. Otherwise, the baby will pull on the breast and injure the nipples. The child's head should not be clamped and fixed so that he can freely turn it. The ideal position for feeding is in a tummy-to-tummy position, with the baby and mother lying on their side facing each other, the baby should be supported by the buttocks or back. Some mothers are afraid that resting their nose on the chest, it is difficult for the child to breathe and press on the mammary gland when feeding next to the baby's nose - this should not be done, pinching the breast in this way, the outflow of milk worsens and, on the contrary, it is more difficult for the baby to suck, and he can breathe through the edges nasal passages.

How to apply the baby for feeding

Every child has a congenital breast latch reflex. But the first time you can help him by moving part of the halo (not the nipple) along the baby's upper lip. The baby will reach for the breast on its own, there is no need to put the nipple in the mouth, you can only direct the head in the right direction. At the moment of capture, the child's mouth should be wide open. The lower lip of the baby in these seconds is already in the position that it will be when sucking - as far as possible from the nipple, on the lower part of the halo. As a result, the nipple and part of the halo will be in the child's mouth, and more is captured from below the halo than from above.

breast sucking

Directly when sucking, the tongue will be slightly visible, which should cover the lower gum. Milk is squeezed out of the breast by wave-like movements of the tongue and lower jaw of the child. The chin and nose should be pressed against the mother's chest, the lips should be turned slightly outward, but not inward, and the cheeks should move freely in time with the sucking movements. When suckling the breast, the child makes deep swallowing movements.

A little trick: feed the baby naked, and take off your clothes to the waist. Touching mommy's skin helps form a strong bond between you, soothes the baby and makes feeding comfortable and enjoyable!

Postures or positions for feeding the baby

You can feed your baby in any position that is comfortable for both mother and baby. There are several common nursing positions. We talked about the first pose "Tummy to Tummy" above. Other poses are no less popular. For convenience, the mother can use pillows and rollers that can be placed under the legs, arms and back.

Second posture - Sitting position

You can imagine this position if you mentally lift a nursing mother and a child from a position lying on their side. In the sitting position, the child is also half-turned towards the mother, the head is in line with the body, which is supported by one of the mother's hands - try to place the head in the cubital fossa. The second hand holds the crumbs behind the back and buttocks. Place a pillow under the supporting arm.

Third pose - Armpit position

Mom sits on the sofa, puts a pillow next to her and puts the child on it in such a way that his body is hidden under the arm, i.e. armpit. In this position, it is convenient to control sucking, there is good visibility, and it is easier for the child to grab the breast correctly. And one more plus - my mother's hands are resting.

Fourth Pose - Lying

Fifth pose - Standing

You can also feed your baby standing up, for example, if he is in a sling. You can choose a semi-sitting or semi-recumbent position.

Twin feeding

It is best to get the hang of it and feed both babies at the same time, while mommy will be much calmer, she will not be in a hurry to fatten the first one and rather start feeding the hungry second one. This will not only save time, but also stimulate lactation well.

How long does the baby suckle at the breast in one feeding?

This time period will be different for all children and depends on the child's temperament, his need for food, sucking speed, the condition of the milk ducts of the breast, etc.

Feeding on average lasts from 5 to 20 minutes. If you notice that the baby makes several sucking movements and falls asleep, you can gently nudge him on the cheek so that he continues to suck.

How to take a breast from a child?

A well-fed and contented toddler lets go of his chest. In no case should the nipple be forcibly pulled out of the mouth - in response to this, the child will tightly squeeze the jaws, while injuring the delicate skin of the chest. In extreme cases, if the baby fell asleep on the chest or you see that he does not drink, but simply sucks, you can stretch the chest, pointing it towards the corner of the mouth, i.e. from the side.

Should I give both breasts at one feeding?

By itself, the process of sucking leads to, responsible for the production of milk. The hormone does not know how to act selectively, and both breasts are filled with milk: every mother remembers the sensations when milk arrives and the breasts “stiffen” and even hurt a little. Therefore, even if both breasts were emptied in one feeding, milk will still arrive, because an empty breast is a signal for further milk production.

How to breastfeed if the baby is crying a lot?

Of course, the chest will instantly calm the little rebel, but do not rush to calm the baby in this way. It's best to calm him down before feeding. Rock him in your arms or hold him to yourself so that he calms down a little or stops crying altogether. A crying baby may not grasp the breast correctly, and the mother, who is also emotional at this moment, may not notice this. If the baby is restless before feeding - squeeze a drop of milk onto the lips, touch the nipple to the cheek or swipe it over the lips, the baby will calm down.

How often to breastfeed?

There is no approved breastfeeding schedule. Previously recommended breaks of 2.5-3 hours are not relevant. You need to feed on demand. The requirement is the crying of the child, search movements of the head, opening the mouth to touch the face.

In the first 3-5 days after birth, the child does not often ask for a breast, about 7-15 times a day. In the future, the frequency of feeding increases significantly and can reach up to 4 applications per hour.

How to understand that the child is full?

This is the most exciting question for all breastfeeding mothers. The fact is that the baby cannot eat in one feeding the volume that the baby drinks on artificial feeding. That is why infants so often attach themselves to a food source!

Your baby is getting enough milk if:

mother's breasts become empty and soft after suckling;
the child often asks for breasts;
the child looks healthy: the skin is elastic and smooth, the eyes are clear, the mood is good, the activity is high;
the child is gaining weight and height well and fits into the recommended monthly increases;
the child regularly pees (5-6 diapers per day) and poops (mustard-yellow feces).

Can a baby overeat breast milk?

By consuming mother's milk, the baby's body begins to "self-regulate". There is a memorization of the composition of mother's milk, from where the need for it is formed. Therefore, it is impossible to overeat milk. Everything superfluous, which some children suck up, will then be sure to burp.

Does milk have time to be digested if the baby sucks the breast very often?

Milk has an amazingly balanced composition. The stomach does not need to work hard: valuable food enters the intestines almost immediately, and processing and assimilation occur very quickly.

The milk produced at night is less fat, so the baby’s gastrointestinal tract practically rests during this period of the day.

Common breastfeeding mistakes moms make

Latching the baby correctly when feeding is important, but it is also important not to make other mistakes that can adversely affect lactation and the feeding process.

Holding the chest with the hands. Mothers may press down on their breasts from above, fearing that the baby will suffocate while sucking. Or support the breast canopy, supposedly helping the milk drain into the baby's mouth.

The child breathes perfectly through the edges of the nostrils, even if the nose is tightly pressed and even slightly pressed into the mother's chest. Well, the path of milk movement through the ducts in no way depends on the position of the breast, but is completely subordinated to the sucking movements of the child.

Washing the breast before each feeding. Women wash their breasts with soap before giving it to the baby.

There are no harmful bacteria or dirt on the chest! Washing, especially with soap, destroys the protective lubricant, which just prevents bacteria from multiplying. A daily shower in the mornings and evenings is more than enough.

Dopaivanie child with water, children's tea. Worried that the child is thirsty, mothers supplement the crumbs with other liquids through a bottle.

Mother's milk is both food and drink for the baby. All other liquids, especially through a bottle, are not needed. This worsens lactation and can lead to the fact that the child refuses breastfeeding altogether.

When sucking on a pacifier or a bottle, the child performs completely different sucking movements than when sucking on the breast - they are simpler and easier for the baby, so 30% of children refuse "difficult" breastfeeding even with single bottle feeding. It also leads to breast-nipple confusion, leading to further misadaptation.

Refusal to breastfeed if cracks and abrasions have formed on the chest. With problematic breasts, mothers switch to artificial feeding. Refusal to feed during colds.

A terrible mistake that leads to the extinction of lactation and the fact that the child refuses to suckle the breast. Breasts should be treated between feeds, but breastfeed only, with or without special nipple shields. Only with deep cracks in the nipples can you stop feeding for a while, expressing milk and drinking the baby with a spoon or pipette.

When a mother has a cold, it is enough to wear a protective mask on her face during feeding. And with milk, nothing but the child needs antibodies from the same cold will not enter the body.

Expression of milk that remains in the breast after feeding. Allegedly, this stimulates lactation, and the milk that remains in the chest unexpressed can become harmful.

Pumping is justified only when the mother is separated from the child, but she needs to maintain lactation. In other situations, it's just unnecessary trauma to the breast and artificial stimulation of milk production. By the way, the ugly shape of the breast is more the merit of decanting than natural sucking by the child.

All women expecting a miracle of birth sooner or later are faced with the need to learn how to properly apply a baby for feeding. Some prepare for this responsible intimate process in advance, studying literature and communicating with experienced mothers, others fill their bumps in the course of motherhood.

Breastfeeding is the most natural simple and cheap way feeding the baby. Useful vitamins and trace elements of mother's milk are contained in the most easily digestible form for the child. This is both drink and food for at least the first six months of a baby's life, as well as during his illness. In addition, natural feeding forms an invisible thread of affection between mother and baby, gives a sense of security to the baby, and develops confidence in the world.

Breastfeeding is important for an infant because:

it is a natural environmentally friendly multivitamin product,
is direct physical contact with the mother,
it is a guarantee of safety and protection in a new environment,
it is a way of understanding the world around
it is an excellent sedative and sedative.

For a mother, breastfeeding is important:

for the natural development of attachment and emotional contact,
more time can be devoted to the crumbs, especially in our high-speed time,
is the prevention of breast diseases,
easily, quickly and without spending extra time and money, you can feed the baby,
During feedings, you can relax and gain strength.

About the correct grip on the chest

An important rule of breastfeeding is that there is no pain and any discomfort for its participants.

During sucking, the child does not use the nipple, as many young mothers may think, but the areola. Thanks to the stimulating movements of the baby's tongue, all the milk ducts work smoothly, and the milk gets to its destination.

If, during feeding, an incorrect breast capture occurs, then pain is inevitable for the mother, poor emptying of the milk tanks, the appearance of cracks and stagnant processes, and the child will remain half-starved and capricious.

Consider how to properly apply the baby to the breast according to the main signs:

the baby lying on its side is tightly pushed to the mother, there are no gaps between them;
the nipple looks at the baby's nose before docking, and after it it is directed to the upper palate and is only a conductor of milk (the so-called asymmetry in breastfeeding);
the baby's mouth is wide open (an angle of 130-150° is considered optimal) to capture the breast;
visible tongue on the lower gum;
after capturing the baby's lips are turned outward, they seem to hug the chest;
if you slightly move the lower lip of the crumbs, its tongue is visible, and the halo is completely hidden under it;
the lower jaw of the child is actively moving;
cheeks are rounded, not elongated;
the absence of any chomping or clattering sounds during feeding, the mother hears and sees only the swallowing of the child;
the baby's chin touches the mother's breast, sometimes the nose can be pressed against it if the breast is large or too full. You don’t need to worry about the child’s breathing, thanks to the enlarged nasal sinuses, air flows well in both directions;
the absence of a rigid fixation of the baby's head makes it possible for him to take a more comfortable position during feeding.

If the mother hears that it is difficult for the baby to breathe at the chest while lying down, then either his head is tilted forward, or his chin is not sufficiently pressed to the chest. In this case, in no case should you make a groove near the nose with your fingers, just move the baby lying down towards his legs and move closer to you. So his neck will change position, the head will tilt back a little and the grip will become correct. But if the baby slips onto the nipple, it is better to gently interrupt the feeding by taking the breast from him and attaching it again.

Will I succeed?

The Association of Natural Feeding Consultants (AKEV) claims that with the correct attachment of the baby, any pain of the mother, malnutrition of the child is impossible. Sometimes it is not possible to achieve effective breast capture the first time. Especially with a firstborn. In this case, medical workers of the maternity hospital, specialist consultants and the experience of the mother herself come to the rescue.

At the same time, you need to know that the optimal regimen, duration, and feeding technique are developed by a mother-baby pair during the first two months. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to be patient and carefully monitor the sensations, movements and postures during feeding (lying on your side, sitting, standing).

Even if at first mistakes were made in the attachment, as a result of which the mother developed cracks, seals in the chest, then after medical procedures and elimination of diseases, comfortable feeding of the baby can be organized. The main thing is desire, perseverance and faith in one's strength and the importance of breastfeeding for a child.

There are, of course, problems with the capture of the breast in a child for good reasons, for example, because of a short bridle. In this case, the tongue is missing to the tip of the lower lip and the sucking process is painful.

Step by step feeding process

How to establish the optimal process of feeding the baby, we will consider all the steps in order.

Mom take a maximum relaxed pose(for example, lying down), pay special attention to the shoulder section. Sometimes the baby is set up to spend a long time at the breast - and eat, and take a nap. Therefore, it is important for the mother to properly organize a place for feeding herself in order to avoid any discomfort, muscle numbness and, as a result, the appearance of irritation and the desire to prematurely undock. And this is fraught with a deterioration in lactation and capriciousness of the crumbs. Many mothers after childbirth are happy to choose a position lying on their side - you can relax, rest, and take a nap, and the baby will not slip out anywhere.
Prepare the baby near the breast. The baby in a lying position must be turned towards you with the whole body, and not just the head. Place his mouth just below the nipple. If the child is napping, touching the lower lip with the areola or a slight movement of the mother's finger along his nose causes a reflex of opening the mouth. The tongue is visible, it lies on the lower gum. The baby begins to turn his head - this is a signal that he is ready to dock and start eating.
The process of feeding. The baby's lips are turned outward, the tongue makes wave-like movements, the halo is almost completely in the mouth, the head is free. At first, the baby makes several quick sucking movements. They tune the mammary glands to work, there is a rush in the chest. Oxytocin actively begins to be produced in the mother's body and enter the milk. Further, the movements of the child's mouth become measured, swallowing is heard. After some time, these sucking may even slow down, which indicates a decrease in milk in the breast, saturation and falling asleep crumbs. His body is relaxed. The meal is over at the moment when the baby himself lets go of the breast.

You can correct the grip of the breast by inserting the little finger into the corner of the baby's mouth and slightly pushing the nipple towards the exit. Then repeat all the above steps again.

Comfortable postures

As practice shows, a wide variety of poses for feeding a baby can be comfortable. Let's take a look at the most common ones.

In a sitting position

In this case, we distinguish two positions:

regular,
from the armpit.

Mom is located on the sofa / in the chair, can use different pillows for comfort. The key is to keep your back straight.

In the first case, the baby in a lying position is supported by his hands, his tummy is turned towards his mother, his head is not rigidly fixed. It is optimal to hold the baby under the ears with the index and thumb of the opposite hand, for example, the right breast - left hand. This pose is called the cross cradle.

In the second, he, lying on his side, is located on a pillow under his mother's armpit, as if looking out from behind. This position is especially popular among women after caesarean section because you do not need to hold the child in your arms.

Often, when feeding while sitting, the child is swaddled so that he does not interfere with himself and his mother with his hands.

Lying on side

In the supine position, when the participants in the process are placed next to each other.

One of the favorite poses of young mothers is to relax and feed the baby easily. Nuance - the pillow should be placed only under the head of the mother, and not under her shoulders.

Standing

This is especially true if the mother wears the baby in a sling. And in the case of an older child, this position can become one of the most frequently used.

relaxed feeding

Relaxed feeding or Australian posture or phone.

Mom is in a reclining position on her back, her head, shoulders and rib cage raised, the baby lies on top of it, tummy to tummy. All participants are as relaxed as possible. Mom gently hugs and strokes the baby, can sing or whisper something to him. This imitates the safe position of the baby in the womb, when the uterus protected him from all sides. He spread out his legs and arms, they absolutely do not interfere with the feeding process. His head moves freely. He hears the sounds from his mother's body, which he heard all 9 months, they pacify and relax him.

Joyful motherhood, healthy children and comfortable proper feeding!