breastfeeding positioning and attachment

                                                                                         

Positioning and Attachment

There are 2 ways to attach baby to your breast – baby-led, and mother-led.

Baby-led attachment refers to allowing baby to find its way to mother’s nipple, which it can do quite effectively straight after birth. Baby-led refers to baby finding its own way to the breast after birth in its own time. It will lick its fingers, move its fingers toward the nipple, and then move (‘bob’) its way to its mothers nipple and attach himself to it, often within an hour after birth.

Mother-led attachment is where the mother puts the baby to her own breast and baby feeds from there.

Positioning your baby and attaching him to your breast are THE most important things that you will both have to learn in the early days after birth. Don't be afraid to ask for help, and try not to leave your learning until baby is born- start learning now by reading, or watching and talking to other breastfeeding mothers.

A baby is well-positioned at the breast when he is close (unwrapped), facing you, supported behind his shoulders, looking up at the nipple, and
you are comfortable.

There are many positions in which to breastfeed and these rules apply to any position, whether it be underarm (twin/ football style), across your front (Madonna), or lying down.

Mother-led Attachment refers to the amount of nipple and areola that baby has in his mouth when you attach baby. I like to explain it like this:

• Bring baby as close to the areola (not nipple) as possible

• Point the nipple up towards baby's nose.

• As the nipple is pointing upwards, notice that there is a ‘bulging’ part underneath the nipple (this can sometimes be on the edge of the areola- although the size of the areola will differ between women)

• It is this ‘bulging’ part that we need to put into the baby's mouth (our aim is to get the nipple as far back into the baby's mouth as possible)


Exercise- run your tongue along the roof of your mouth. You will feel your hard palate at the front of your mouth, and at the back of your throat is the soft palate. This is where we want the end of your nipple to end up in baby's mouth.

• When your nipple comes out of your baby's mouth, it should be round and slightly longer. It should not be flat or have a ridge or line across it.

If your nipple gets damaged in the early days of breastfeeding, the only way to help it heal is to make sure baby is attached well and not causing any further damage.

• Timing plays a big part with attachment. Encourage baby to open his mouth very wide and bring him quickly to the breast. This takes two hands, so when you are learning to breastfeed, make sure you have no other distractions... set your toddlers up to play, take the telephone of the hook, and make sure you have no clothes in between baby and breast (to get in the way).

• Breastfeeding will get easier as both mother and baby learn what suits them best. Every breastfeeding couple is different.



When baby is positioned and attached
well at the breast,
he will be getting good amounts of milk,
will feed and settle better,
and your experience will be comfortable



How do I know if baby is sucking correctly?

• Breastfeeding should not be painful.
• Do not continue the feed if your nipples are stinging or feel pinched
• Baby can stop to breathe in between sucks
• You should not hear noises such as clicking when baby feeds, however there is often a swallowing sound.
• You should not see milk dribbling down your breast
• If you need to take baby off the breast, make sure you put your finger in the corner of baby’s mouth to break the suction first.

How long does a feed last?

You will know that baby has had enough to drink when he comes off by himself. In saying that, some babies do like to suck for longer periods of time for comfort. If this is the case, the sucking usually changes from a suck-swallow pattern, to a much shorter suck-suck-suck-suck-breathe, with not as many swallows in between.
Some mothers are quite happy to allow their baby to suck in this manner, while others are not. It is okay to take your baby of the breast if they are sucking for comfort, although they might not like it!

About the author:
Leanne Cummins
midwife, childbirth educator, and IBCLC (lactation consultant)
Producer of 3 childbirth education DVDs to substitute or compliment your birth education classes
www.birthingsense.com

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