To get him open his/her mouth, lightly stroke your nipple across his/her lip. When his/her mouth opens really wide, quickly bring your baby onto the breast -- don't try to bring the nipple to him/her or he/she won't take enough in and you'll be uncomfortably bent over. His/her mouth should close around as much of the areola as possible and his lips should be turned out, not tucked in. You may feel some discomfort at first, but it should ease after Baby begins a deep, rhythmic sucking and pausing pattern.
Signs that your baby is not latched on correctly include
- hearing clicking noises instead of swallowing
- continuing to feel pain while he feeds
- feeling like he's pulling on the nipple
- having her/him fall off the breast again and again
Repeat the latch on procedure as many times as necessary until Baby is correctly positioned. If you try to nurse when the baby's latched on improperly, he won't get enough to eat and your nipples will become very sore.
Allow Baby to nurse about 10 minutes on the first breast, then switch to the other side and let him/her continue until he's done -- you'll probably notice the sucking slowing down or ceasing altogether. Sometimes Baby will just drop off the breast himself. Other times you may have to break the suction or "unlatch" him/her. Never try to just pull your baby off. Instead, slide your little finger into the corner of his/her mouth, press down on the breast, then remove him/her from the nipple. The next time you feed your baby, start with the breast you didn't start with this time, since the breast you use first gets better drained. If you have trouble remembering which goes next, attach a safety pin to your bra.
During the first few days after birth, your breasts will produce a substance called colostrum, a thick, rich, yellowish forerunner to mature milk. On the third or fourth day, your milk will come in, so nurse frequently for the next 24 to 48 hours to reduce the chance of engorgement, an uncomfortably full, tender, swollen sensation. From this point on your breasts will feel full every few hours for feedings, according to the routine you and Baby are on. At first that may mean beginning a feeding as often as every two hours around the clock, gradually spreading out to every three or four hours.
One of the things new moms are most paranoid about is whether or not Baby is getting enough to eat. You'll know she's/he's doing fine if she's/he's feeding frequently, latches on well, and sucks vigorously; if she/he wets six to eight diapers a day and has several yellow bowel movements a day; and if she's/hes gaining weight at a consistent rate. Don't be afraid to call the doctor immediately if you have nay doubts or concerns; nursing problems are easier to remedy if caught early. Your doctor may be able to help you and can refer you to a lactation consultant if necessary. Don't wait until problems are extreme: The most obvious sing of severe dehydration is a sunken soft spot on top of Baby's head. Other symptoms: sunken eyes, excessive drowsiness, and decreased urination.
Allow Baby to nurse about 10 minutes on the first breast, then switch to the other side and let him/her continue until he's done -- you'll probably notice the sucking slowing down or ceasing altogether. Sometimes Baby will just drop off the breast himself. Other times you may have to break the suction or "unlatch" him/her. Never try to just pull your baby off. Instead, slide your little finger into the corner of his/her mouth, press down on the breast, then remove him/her from the nipple. The next time you feed your baby, start with the breast you didn't start with this time, since the breast you use first gets better drained. If you have trouble remembering which goes next, attach a safety pin to your bra.
During the first few days after birth, your breasts will produce a substance called colostrum, a thick, rich, yellowish forerunner to mature milk. On the third or fourth day, your milk will come in, so nurse frequently for the next 24 to 48 hours to reduce the chance of engorgement, an uncomfortably full, tender, swollen sensation. From this point on your breasts will feel full every few hours for feedings, according to the routine you and Baby are on. At first that may mean beginning a feeding as often as every two hours around the clock, gradually spreading out to every three or four hours.
One of the things new moms are most paranoid about is whether or not Baby is getting enough to eat. You'll know she's/he's doing fine if she's/he's feeding frequently, latches on well, and sucks vigorously; if she/he wets six to eight diapers a day and has several yellow bowel movements a day; and if she's/hes gaining weight at a consistent rate. Don't be afraid to call the doctor immediately if you have nay doubts or concerns; nursing problems are easier to remedy if caught early. Your doctor may be able to help you and can refer you to a lactation consultant if necessary. Don't wait until problems are extreme: The most obvious sing of severe dehydration is a sunken soft spot on top of Baby's head. Other symptoms: sunken eyes, excessive drowsiness, and decreased urination.
