Breastfeeding - How To
BREASTFEEDING IS BEAUTIFUL
Breastfeeding is one of the most beneficial processes to support both mother and baby! Jjust because it’s natural, does NOT mean it’s easy.
In fact, everywhere you turn, you have been told that breastfeeding is painful, challenging, or “didn’t work” for people you know and trust. Just because that message is “common” does not mean it’s “normal” for breastfeeding to be challenging.
We have assembled this page of breastfeeding resources for you to learn about breastfeeding and get off to a great start on this most important early parenting decision. With a proper latch, good positioning, and assessment and support of other professionals as needed, breastfeeding can be a very positive experience that has numerous benefits to the baby and the whole family. And! Even counting the cost of some consulting if needed, it’s the most affordable way to feed a baby!
This page will include videos, resources, and referrals to help you have the best experience with breastfeeding.
Let’s Talk The Basics of Time & Targets
Is my baby getting enough?
Your newborn should nurse 10 x in every 24-hours
Your newborn should have 1 BM (poopy diaper) for each day of life up to day 5-6 (4 poopy diapers on day 4, 5 poopy diapers on day 5, etc)
Your newborn should not lose more than 10% of birth weight in the 1st week
Your newborn should be back to their birth weight by 2 weeks
Your newborn should gain 1 ounce per day, . .. or 1/2 lb a week.
Is there a problem?
Breastfeeding should NOT be painful. Bleeding and bruising and pain are signs that something needs to be fixed!
Your nipples should not hurt (other than the first few minutes of a feeding)
Your nipples should be normally shaped after the feeding
Your nipples should not be cracked, bleeding, or bruised
Your baby should not make clicking noises while nursing
Your baby should seem ‘satisfied’ after each feeding
VIDEOS
1) Youtube Video: Breastfeeding - Getting a good latch every time.
This video breaks it all down, and gives great details about how to get a great latch from the very first time. Please watch it. And rewatch it. And watch it again. We love it.
HOW TO LATCH
2) Youtube Video: How to get a Deep Latch
This video shows a few more tips on getting the baby to latch deeply enough that the nipple doesn’t get traumatized as it moves past bones in the baby’s mouth.
CLASSES & CONSULTING
Wendy Blumberg, Baby Birth & You, is the OG of lactation consultants in North Dallas. She was Margie’s lactation consultant when Margie had her sons in the early 1990’s!. Her prices are lower than others, and her experience is off the charts.
Melody Stoker is one of our favorite, newer IBCLC consultants and breastfeeding advocates. She works with a team, so she may have faster response time and more availability. She offers classes before birth, and one-on-one coaching / consulting after birth. You can text her at 614-218-3428. She will call you back.
Stephanie Brown is a highly experienced and passionate breastfeeding advocate. She is a lactation consultant and educator. She offers classes before birth, and one-on-one coaching / consulting after birth. You can learn more about her and contact her through her Nourish & Nurture website: NNLactation.com
HANDOUTS
Not sure if you want to breastfeed? This handout lists 101 evidence-based benefits of breastfeeding. The evidence is there! Breastfeeding provides more than just ideal nutrition. It’s perfect for the baby in a million ways (or, 101 at least).
BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING HANDOUT
The key to a good latch is the position of the baby’s mouth in relationship to the mother’s nipple. This .pdf shows the ideal latch. In a nutshell, position the newborn in either the “cross cradle” or “football” hold position with baby’s head supported by the cradle of your hand between your index finger and thumb. That allows the baby’s head to easily be supported in a “nose up - sniffing” position. All humans lift their chin to drink / swallow. Babies are just little humans. To get a good swallow, they need to lift their chin and elongate their neck. That’s hard for them to do since they don’t have great control over their head. That’s why these 2 positions work the best for moms just starting out.
1) Position the baby with mom’s hand behind baby’s neck on the low part of the head. Body well-supported on mom’s forearm.
2) Support the breast with the arm that’s not holding the baby. Place your hand under the nipple where a “underwire” would be. Keep you hand back from the nipple so the baby’s lips can get the nipple without touching your fingers.
3) Point the nipple to the nose. As the baby sniffs the nipple they will open their mouth and reach for for it, instinctively lifting their chin into a “sniffing position”.
4) Hold the baby close so the tissue of the nipple is in full contact with the baby’s face. Pull the baby close and support the upper back and lower neck so the nipple and areola are well pressed into the roof of the baby’s mouth - aiming toward the upper back of the mouth (not toward the lower jaw).
5) If the nipple pinches or hurts, double check that the baby’s lips are both wide open, “flanged” (rolled back) and the baby’s mouth is wide open. Detach the baby and re-latch if there is intense pain.
6) Encourage the baby to suck (and stay awake) by lightly stroking the neck, ears, feet.
Please review this handout to see a picture of the position described here. THE LATEST IN LATCH
