Breastfeeding Positions For Ultimate Comfort & Safety

Breastfeeding is a learning process. The baby has to learn to drink at the breast, and you have to learn to give her your breast. Although the process of breastfeeding is technically the same with every breastfed baby, in reality every baby is different. Naturally your baby's temperament and uniqueness should be respected and validated from the very beginning.

Some babies drink timidly, while others suck so strongly it is almost painful for the mother at first. Some babies wolf down their milk so quickly they spit up some of it afterward. Your baby might spread out her meal over a whole hour and take frequent breaks. Or she might play a game with your nipple before she begins to drink in earnest. You have no choice but to learn to accept your child the way she is. Ideally an infant should drink to her own tempo. Eventually she will establish her very own rhythm.

By helping your baby find her own rhythm and allowing her to live by it, you are laying an important foundation for her entire life. Try to learn about your child's rhythm - respect and support her in it. Let your baby lead you, while you remain interested and easy-going about it. You may gently coax your baby, but don't be domineering. Your relationship with this little person will continue long past the breastfeeding period. Try to create a relationship founded on respect and tolerance from the start.

Breastfeeding Basics

Incorrect positioning is the primary cause of many breastfeeding problems -such as sore nipples, insufficient milk supply, disturbed milk-ejection reflex and a gassy baby. Therefore, putting the baby to the breast correctly can prevent these problems. Here's how:

Get Comfortable: Comfort is important when you breastfeed. Make sure the arm on which the baby is lying is supported, perhaps on the armrest of a chair or couch. You should be able to relax your arm completely. Support your back with pillows. Tension, especially in the shoulders or shoulder blades, interferes with milk flow. If you breastfeed sitting up, put a small footstool under your feet and a pillow on your knees to relieve pressure on your arm. You can buy special nursing pillows, too. A rocking chair with broad armrests and a cushion can be ideal for breastfeeding. If you have had an episiotomy, sitting on a child's swimming ring lets you sit and breastfeed more or less pain-free.

Maybe your partner would like to sit behind you. He can cuddle or support your back so you can devote yourself to breastfeeding. Of course, he has to look out for his own well-being too by having something to lean on himself; otherwise he'll feel uncomfortable and then you will, too.

If you ever breastfeed while standing, plant yourself this way: Set your feet about a foot apart and consciously relax your shoulders. Your partner might cradle your shoulder caps with his hands or place the palms of his hands on your shoulder blades or shoulders, You might want to take just a minute to close your eyes, "listen" to your breath, and become centered and peaceful inside before you breastfeed.

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