For newborns, breastfeeding is usually done 8 to 12 times a day, for 10 to 30 minutes each time. By learning the correct breastfeeding posture, both the child and the parent can comfortably breastfeed. In particular, it can prevent nipple bites and prevent injuries.
Today, we will learn more about baby feeding postures through pictures!
Tip:
Before breastfeeding, parents should wash their hands first. It is a good idea to wash your hands, especially if you have changed diapers before breastfeeding. Just washing your hands before breastfeeding can lower the risk of infectious diseases.
Step-By-Step Instructions on the Correct Breastfeeding Posture
1. Put the baby's nose in front of the nipple!
Most of the muscle movements during lactation occur in the lower jaw. The upper jaw only serves to hold the breast in place. When breastfeeding, point the nipple toward the baby's nose, not in front of the baby's mouth. This will make it easier for your child to bite the areola as a whole with their mouth wide open. Imagine the feeling of the nipple touching the inside of the baby's palate.
2. Stimulate the baby's lips with the mother's nipple.
If you tap the area near the baby's upper lip (pharyngeal) with the mother's nipple, the child opens their mouth naturally. Use your index finger to gently stimulate the area around the baby's upper lip by moving only the nipple. At this point, wait until the baby's mouth is fully opened. If the nipple is pushed in before the baby's mouth is fully opened, the nipple will not go deep into the baby's mouth, making it difficult to suckle. Don't forget that your child must open their mouth as wide as possible to ensure proper breastfeeding.
3. Fold the top of the nipple to widen the area of the areola.
When the baby starts to open her mouth, press your nipple with your index finger and fold it. Gently press the upper part of the nipple with your index finger to fold the nipple upwards. As the lower areola expands, the area expands. Think of putting this part in the child's mouth. Instead of just putting the nipple into the baby's mouth, the lower areola is the first to touch the baby's mouth.
4. The tip of the areola and the baby's lower lip should meet first.
The baby's lower lip and the bottom line of the mother's areola meet first. If you try to insert only the nipple, it is difficult to get the correct position for breastfeeding. Think of it as biting the entire areola. Just like eating a hamburger, your baby has to open their mouth wide.
5. From the lower areola, lower the baby's head slightly into the baby's mouth, push the nipple gently with your index finger, and insert the areola into the baby's mouth.
6. Insert the nipple into the baby's upper gums.
Once the areola has entered the baby's mouth, it's time to insert the nipple. Insert the nipple with the feeling that it is touching the inside of the baby's upper gum. Don't think of putting the nipple in the center of your baby's mouth, but rather thinking of it as touching the roof of his mouth. If there is a nipple in the middle of the baby's mouth, friction can cause it to hurt.
7. While pushing the nipple, pull the baby's nape.
Using your fingers, gently push the nipple into the baby's mouth. At this time, if you gently pull on the nape of the baby, the baby will stick to the mother's side and suck on the breast a little deeper.
Tip:
Check the correct breastfeeding posture!
The baby should bite on the entire areola. The nipple goes all the way to the front of the baby's uvula. The baby's mouth will be wide open then, and the areola is hard to see. The baby's chin must press against the breast, and the nose is more than 1mm away from the chest.
If you learn the correct breastfeeding posture like this, it will shorten the baby's suckling time and release the lumps inside the mother's breast. It helps to keep breastfeeding healthy for a long time as it lowers the chance of developing chest inflammation during lactation.
#Parenting Advice from Director Hyang-Hwa Kwon
The baby's mouth should open wider than you might think.
The key to breastfeeding is to put the entire areola, not the nipple, in the baby's mouth. To do this, your baby's mouth should open much wider than you would think. If only the nipple is placed on the baby's tongue, it is easy for the child to scratch the nipple. This hurts the mother’s breast and means the baby is getting less milk.
Start the feeding position with the nipple facing the roof of the mouth, aligning the baby's lower lip with the lower part of the mother's areola. Adjust the nipple position with the lower areola touching the baby’s lips.
Proper breastfeeding is the starting point for happy breastfeeding because it increases milk production. Breastfeeding is learning. It doesn't happen on its own, so learn how to breastfeed correctly with lots of practice.
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Author: Kwon Hyang-hwa
- Newborn Childcare Coach
- IBCLC International Breastfeeding Specialist
- Worked as the director of a postpartum care center for 10 years.
