Infant Breastfeeding Made Better with these 9 Tips and Techniques

After nine months of battling all sorts of discomfort while carrying a baby in your womb, you’re now embarking on another phase of your journey—it’s time to feed your precious little one. Breastfeeding has come!

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have expressed their stand that mothers should breastfeed their newborns exclusively for at least six months. 

Sadly enough, not every mother breastfeeds their babies. Some mothers wanted to but, for one reason or another, could hardly express their milk. Other mothers would say it’s their babies who refuse their breast milk.

Breastfeeding is essential for an infant’s health and well-being. Omega Pediatrics is here to help you. We have drawn up some tips and techniques, hoping to give you a positive and fulfilling experience while feeding your baby.

Tip #1: Skin-to-skin early on.

In the moments immediately after birth, healthy newborns are alert and ready for breastfeeding. Position your baby for skin-to-skin contact as often as possible during the first few days of life. This hastens the baby’s adjustment to life outside your womb.

Full-term infants display many suckling cues, typically licking and nuzzling the nipple. These reflexes are strongest from 45 minutes to two hours after birth. At 20–24 hours of age, normal, full-term, healthy newborns breastfeed several times in one hour.

Responding to these early cues proves to have long-lasting effects since it helps make your baby feel satisfied, especially in this first encounter. These first several feedings provide a positive breastfeeding experience for both the mother and the baby.

Tip #2: Don’t wait for your baby to cry.

You should not wait for your baby to cry, but instead anticipate his or her desires by paying attention to some telltale signs. When a baby is hungry, he or she may exhibit certain behaviors and cues.

Some telltale signs of hungry babies are turning or raising their heads repetitively, sticking out their tongues, opening and closing their mouths, or sucking on objects they could get their hands on. Breastfeed immediately once you notice these signs.

Responding immediately to a baby’s ‘hunger signs’ shows them that they won’t have to struggle too much to get your attention, boosting your intimacy with your baby, which will improve your relationship.

Tip #3: Allow your infant to dictate how long and how often to nurse.

While you’re the mother, your baby knows their needs more than you do. Thus, it’s important to let them determine how long and how often they want. For instance, don’t set predetermined intervals between nursing sessions.

Also, don’t feed your baby when you think enough time has passed. Conversely, don’t wake them up because time is up. It’s feeding time! Don’t interrupt their sleep just to feed them. Or you would say that two or three hours have already gone by.

Additionally, allow your infant to determine how long to feed. Your baby knows how much food they need better than you. Each baby is unique, and their feeding time varies too. It may be as short as 10 minutes or as long as 40 minutes.

Feeding time is essential. Pediatricians have this to say—feed on demand. The bottom line is making sure you understand your baby.

Tip #4: Express a little milk.

When you’re experiencing breast engorgement, you might find it hard for your baby to latch. Engorged breasts cause your nipples to flatten, making latching a challenge. So before feeding, express a little milk so your nipples become flatter and more pliable.

Conversely, you can put a little pressure around the perimeter of your nipples and massage your chest. This helps to position the nipples better. Don’t fully drain your milk; just express enough to release engorgement for easy latching for the baby.

Tip #5: Boost your breast milk supply.

Avoid formula or bottle feeding for the first six months, or even a dummy, until breastfeeding is well established. This supports ACOG’s and AAP’s advocacy to exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of your newborn.

Once breastfeeding has been established, express some breast milk after feeding sessions. This assures you of milk supply even after your baby’s time is up. 

Also, offer both breasts during each feeding session. Conversely, alternate between each breast you will start with. Making use of and alternating both breasts will stabilize milk production on both breasts.

Lastly, here are a few things to avoid, especially during this crucial time of lactating your newborn. Alcohol and smoking interfere with milk production. Anxiety, stress, or depression can have adverse effects, too.

Tip #6: Practice will help your baby get the latch.

For some babies, they will just start breastfeeding right away at birth, while others will take a little bit of practice to master the latch. Latching should come naturally once you and the baby get the hang of it. 

Tip #7: Line it up: First, make sure your baby lies tummy to tummy with you.

Sit comfortably. Ensure the chair you choose or a glider has neck, shoulder, and neck support.

Direct your baby: Start by placing your nipple around the lips of the baby, then run it back and forth and wait for him or her to open their mouth. Rather than leaning forward, bring your baby close to your breasts to avoid neck and back pain. 

Tip #8: Take good care of your skin.

With constant breastfeeding, particularly during the first few months after giving birth, the skin of your nipple becomes irritated, dry, chapped, or cracked. This leads to a painful sensation when breastfeeding.

Thankfully, you can prevent the pain by taking good care of the skin around your breast. For instance, avoid overwashing and stick to one or two baths or showers daily with a gentle cleanser.

After nursing, use a silk cloth to pat your breasts dry and apply some healing products. You might think of applying alcohol as a disinfectant. But no! Never use alcohol or any product with harsh ingredients, as these will do more harm.

Tip #9: Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support.

The first few days after birth can be overwhelming; therefore, ask for help from your nurse or experienced mothers. If you’re still struggling with breastfeeding, consider checking with a midwife or lactation consultant.

You can get a lot of help while you’re still in the hospital within the first few hours after giving birth. Your nurse, or the midwife, will offer some professional advice if you need it, and a lactation consultant can visit and see how your infant is latching on. 

Does Your Baby Get Enough Milk? How to Tell

During your early feeding sessions, you might wonder if your baby is getting what they need—enough milk to make them satisfied and happy. It may take time to make you feel confident about your baby’s feeding.

Your baby should breastfeed regularly, at least 8–12 times in 24 hours. To determine if your baby is getting enough milk, check for some indicators. We have drawn up a list for you here. But first, you need to make sure your baby is well-positioned or attached.

Signs of Good Latching

Always check your baby’s latching during every feeding session. Their mouth is open wide with a mouthful of breast. Their chin is against your breast, their lower lip is rolled down, and their nose isn’t squashed against your breast to allow for breathing.

You would see more of the dark skin around your nipple above your baby’s top lip. There should also be pain-free feeding, although the first few sucks are strong. After these, you should not feel any pain in your breasts or nipples. 

Signs of Getting Enough Milk

Your baby starts feeding with a few rapid sucks, followed by long, rhythmic sucks and swallowing. With occasional pauses, observe the movement of their throat, and you can even hear their swallowing.

While sucking, your baby’s cheeks stay rounded, not hollow. Their faces look calm and relaxed. Wait until your baby comes off your breast on their own; never force.

After the feeding, their mouths should look moist. They look content and happy for an average of 1–3 hours between feeding sessions. Your breasts should also feel softer, and the nipples should not look flattened or pinched.

Other Signs of Good Feeding

With exclusive breastfeeding, your baby should steadily gain weight during the first two weeks of life. When awake, they should appear healthy and alert. Additionally, check out these diaper signs:

• at least six wet diapers daily. 
• colorless or pale yellow urine by 5-7 days
• 1-2 bowel movements on days 1 and 2
• greenish-to-yellow poo from the fourth day
• loose and yellow stools with small curdles 3–4 times per day by 5-7 days

If you notice any unusual patterns in the baby’s feeding and growth, it’s essential to reach out to your child’s pediatrician or a lactation consultant for professional guidance.

Make Breastfeeding a Positive Experience for You and Your Baby

Breastfeeding is a learned skill. It requires patience for both the mother and the infant. Learning breastfeeding techniques can be a game-changer. Aim to make everything work for you and your baby. The important thing is that you understand your baby.

Some of these techniques aren’t enough when you attempt them on your own, most especially for first-time moms. It would be best to have someone help you figure them out, especially for the first few tries.

Reach out to a lactation consultant, a nursing counselor, or another experienced mom for help. Soon enough, you’ll be the experienced one.

We at Omega Pediatrics are advocates of breastfeeding. We offer lactation services to assist you, as mothers of our young patients, in your breastfeeding journey. We are compassionate about your maternal health as much as we care for your little ones.