Breastfeeding Technique

The more relaxed you are, the better it will be for your baby. Get a cordless phone so that you don’t have to jump up and answer the phone every time it rings. Also keep a glass of water nearby as breastfeeding makes you feel thirsty. Your feet should reach the floor so that your knees and lap are level. Bring your baby to your breast, rather than leaning over.

Its important that your baby opens her mouth wide and takes the nipple and a good proportion of the areola into her mouth in order to stimulate your breast to produce milk.  If your baby sucks only on your nipple she will get frustrated because she will not be able to get enough milk. She will then probably try and suck harder and you will get sore nipples and possibly cracked nipples.

If it feels very uncomfortable, gently insert your little finger in your baby’s mouth between your breast and the corner of her mouth and start again.

Around the fourth day your breasts may look like balloons and feel like rocks. If your breasts are engorged massage your breasts in a warm shower or bath or apply warm compresses before nursing. Manually express milk just enough so that your breasts become a little softer to make it easier for your baby to latch on.