Having trouble getting your baby to latch on and breastfeed correctly? Here's how to hold your newborn and get her in the right position.
Making milk comes naturally, but the delivery of it from breast to
belly — now that takes a little know-how, and a lot of practice. For just about every new mom and neophyte nursing newborn, the first attempts at breastfeeding are haphazard and hapless, at best — a shot in the dark (even if it's broad daylight). But with some trial-and-error, you'll find the breastfeeding position (i.e., cradle hold, crossover hold, or football hold) that works best, and, in no time, you'll be a pro at breastfeeding your baby.
Your baby will have an easier time accessing your breast milk (and you'll get much less sore) if you follow these steps:
Get your baby into the right position. Make sure your baby faces your breasts, with the front of his or her body facing yours, tummy to tummy.
Choose a breastfeeding hold. In the basic cradle hold, your baby's head rests in the bend of your elbow of the right arm (if you'll be nursing from the right breast), with your right hand supporting the rest of the body. Hold your breast with your other hand and compress it very gently so that the nipple points toward the baby's nose. If the cradle hold isn't working, you can try another breastfeeding position, like the crossover hold or the football hold. To try the crossover hold, hold your baby's head with your left hand with his or her body resting on your left arm if you're nursing from the right breast. Lastly, there is the football hold, in which your baby's legs are tucked under your arm (yes, like a football) on the same side as the breast you're nursing from. Hold your baby with that arm (on a pillow to lift him or her up), and use your other hand to cup your breast. (If you have twins you might try a combination of holds
that allow double-barreled breastfeeding action).
Latch your baby on your breast properly. As soon as your baby opens wide (you can help get the mouth open by tickling the lip with your nipple), bring your baby forward toward your breast (don't lean over and stuff your breast into the mouth) and let him or her suckle. Be sure that the baby's mouth covers both the nipple and the areola (newborns will suck on anything, even if no milk is forthcoming). When he or she's in the right spot, the action of the mouth, tongue, and lips will massage the milk out of the milk glands. It's important that your baby is latched on properly so that your nipples don't get sore: Improper latching is the most common cause of breast discomfort, especially sore nipples.
Reposition your baby — if necessary, Release your baby's grip if there are latching problems. That grip on your nipple will be impressively powerful, but you can break the suction by gently inserting your finger into the corner of the mouth (make sure your fingers are clean) or pressing on your breast near the mouth. Then begin the lip tickling anew and let him or her latch on again — properly (with the nipple and the areola in the mouth). In the beginning, it might take quite a few tries to get your baby into the proper breastfeeding position. Keep trying. He or she will be happier in the long run if those efforts bring a mouthful of milk rather than a mouthful of air.
Making milk comes naturally, but the delivery of it from breast to
belly — now that takes a little know-how, and a lot of practice. For just about every new mom and neophyte nursing newborn, the first attempts at breastfeeding are haphazard and hapless, at best — a shot in the dark (even if it's broad daylight). But with some trial-and-error, you'll find the breastfeeding position (i.e., cradle hold, crossover hold, or football hold) that works best, and, in no time, you'll be a pro at breastfeeding your baby.
Your baby will have an easier time accessing your breast milk (and you'll get much less sore) if you follow these steps:
Get your baby into the right position. Make sure your baby faces your breasts, with the front of his or her body facing yours, tummy to tummy.
Choose a breastfeeding hold. In the basic cradle hold, your baby's head rests in the bend of your elbow of the right arm (if you'll be nursing from the right breast), with your right hand supporting the rest of the body. Hold your breast with your other hand and compress it very gently so that the nipple points toward the baby's nose. If the cradle hold isn't working, you can try another breastfeeding position, like the crossover hold or the football hold. To try the crossover hold, hold your baby's head with your left hand with his or her body resting on your left arm if you're nursing from the right breast. Lastly, there is the football hold, in which your baby's legs are tucked under your arm (yes, like a football) on the same side as the breast you're nursing from. Hold your baby with that arm (on a pillow to lift him or her up), and use your other hand to cup your breast. (If you have twins you might try a combination of holds
that allow double-barreled breastfeeding action).
Latch your baby on your breast properly. As soon as your baby opens wide (you can help get the mouth open by tickling the lip with your nipple), bring your baby forward toward your breast (don't lean over and stuff your breast into the mouth) and let him or her suckle. Be sure that the baby's mouth covers both the nipple and the areola (newborns will suck on anything, even if no milk is forthcoming). When he or she's in the right spot, the action of the mouth, tongue, and lips will massage the milk out of the milk glands. It's important that your baby is latched on properly so that your nipples don't get sore: Improper latching is the most common cause of breast discomfort, especially sore nipples.
Reposition your baby — if necessary, Release your baby's grip if there are latching problems. That grip on your nipple will be impressively powerful, but you can break the suction by gently inserting your finger into the corner of the mouth (make sure your fingers are clean) or pressing on your breast near the mouth. Then begin the lip tickling anew and let him or her latch on again — properly (with the nipple and the areola in the mouth). In the beginning, it might take quite a few tries to get your baby into the proper breastfeeding position. Keep trying. He or she will be happier in the long run if those efforts bring a mouthful of milk rather than a mouthful of air.