Healthytalk8 Breastfeeding
Contents
The breastfeeding positions vary from mom to mom, some moms like side-lying, some like a cradle, and some like just formula milk.
However, breastfeeding is a natural way to provide infants with sufficient nutrients and fulfil baby needs by promoting growth.
The importance of breastfeeding is essential and healthy for both mothers and infants in several things include:
- Promote baby’s overall growth
- reduce the breast-realted issues
- boost immunity
- promote an emotional bond strong
- reduce the risk of several illnesses in infants like SIDS, allergies, asthma, etc
- help moms lose weight
- increase milk supply
- reduce stress
If you experiencing breast-related issues like pain or any other baby issues, then consult your doctor or lactation consultant.
However, there are other ways to feed your baby like formula and pumping, which consider best for working moms.
The formula is made up of cow milk, vegetable oils, and some other nutrients to provide nutrients to infants.
Pumping is a process where breast milk is extracted through the breast pump, which can be stored and drunk later.
Both can be stored, are easy to prepare, and provide all essential nutrients for infants.
Common Breastfeeding Positions
There are several breastfeeding positions, that a new mom should try at least once, which will help in finding a comfortable position (2)
Here are most common breastfeeding positions are:
Cradle hold: This is the most common position, where a mom holds their baby’s head in the crook of his arm which also supports his body on his same arm.
And used their other hand to support his breast and help the baby to do proper latching.
Football hold positions: In this, the mom holds his baby under his arm like a football, and his head towards your breast to guide the infant.
Mothers also do this same tech with twice babies.
Side-lying positions: This position is done on the bed while lying down on one side and the baby is facing towards your breast (3)
This is a comfortable position for both mother and infant, due to which the infant also gets sleep immediately (4)
Use pillows to support your back, neck, hand, and your overall body weight.
Laid-back position: In this mom lying on his back in a comfortable position, and then the baby lying on his chest and tummy to feed.
Remember mother’s head should be raised with the help of pillows so that they can see whether the infant is drinking or not.
Cross-cradle hold: It is similar to cross-hold positions, but in this, you hold your baby with the other arms, instead of one arm (5)
This allows the mom to have more control over his baby, and do proper latching.
Other breastfeeding positions: There are other breastfeeding positions, some can be comfortable and some not here are:
- Gradual weaning
- cold turkey weaning
- koala hold
- dancer positions
- Australian hold
Breastfeeding position totally varies from mom to mom, and to find your comfortable feeding position you have to try all positions atleast once.
Overall, If you experience any discomfort or see that your baby not getting weight, and other issue then consult your doctor.
Benefits of Finding the Correct Positions
There are several benefits of finding the correct positions which may occur vary from mom to mom are include:
- Reduce the risk of breast engorgement (refer to breast heaviness, swelling, and tightness)
- improve milk flow
- prevent breast issues like soreness, and nipple pain
- increase milk production by triggering the comfort hormones
- make a strong emotional bond
- better latching
Overall, finding the correct breastfeeding promotes mother milk production and overall experience in both mom and babies.
Tips for Proper Latching
In this baby, the proper latching or mouth-to-nipple connection is essential, which reduces several breast issues (7)
To do proper latching make sure you will follow these guidelines (8) include:
- Proper body position and baby mouth position should be correct
- baby’s nose and chin should touch your breast
- if you feel sucking, then it means the baby consuming milk
- proper hand placement
- watch for signs of hunger
If you are still unable to feed your baby, then should talk to your healthcare provider, and consult other mothers (9)
How Partner Can Help?
Partners can play a vital during breastfeeding and other aspects of life like during periods, pregnancy, and staying with an infant.
It helps moms in many ways like reducing their stress, reducing loneliness, and bringing other benefits.
Here are some ways partners can help are:
Be responsible: Partners be responsible for their duty like being a good husband and giving emotional support, which also makes a strong bond.
Also, the husband helps with diaper changes, position support helps in burping, and there are many other things that a partner can help with.
Help in other household works: Partner helps the partner by doing other household working include cleaning, cooking, etc.
Because after breastfeeding moms also need proper rest to more milk production and keep maintain mental health.
Learn about breastfeeding: Together you can help your partner by learning what exactly is breastfeeding, how can it be done, latching, and more things.
Be close: Partner can give an emotionally close feeling while breastfeeding so that he doesn’t feel alone, which is not only limited to feeding.
There are other life aspects of women, where a husband should be close to their wife.
Provide other support: Like help in making formula and pumping milk, supportive bra, and other hygiene products that should be followed.
Overall be supportive in every aspect of their life, which really impacts a positive effect on both mother and new baby.
Down Line
Breastfeeding is essential for both new moms’ and babies’ health because it is a great source of protein and infant growth.
In addition, before taking medicines, and therapy, talk to your doctor, because alternative ways may worsen the situation.
If you and your baby experience or feel any discomfort while breastfeeding, then consult your lactation consultant.
