Position, Technique and Frequency of Breast Feeding

Subject: Midwifery III (Theory)

Overview

Cradle hold, cross cradle hold, and under arm hold are three different ways to hold the infant as you nurse. Breast feeding techniques include attachment and sucking, as well as indications of effective latching and sucking. Baby can suckle for as long as they want. The infant can suckle until fullness is reached if the connection, suck, and posture are all favorable. Activate both breasts. Before moving on to the second breast, the infant should have finished emptying the first breast to acquire the rich hind milk (the final milk to arrive from a breast at a feeding). Encourage the mother to give the first breast a limitless amount of time before offering the second. By doing this, the baby is more likely to receive the rich hindmilk. If the right breast was used to begin one feeding, the left breast should be used to begin the subsequent feeding. The amount of milk produced by both breasts will then be equal.

Position of Breastfeeding

Mother’s Position

Get the mother in a comfortable position. If she desires, use pillows or folder blankets under her head if she is lying down or under her arm if she is sitting.

  • On her back: the mother may wish for her head and shoulders to be supported.
  • Side lying: if the mother had a caesarean delivery, this position may be most comfortable for her.
  • Sitting position

Baby’s Position

  • The mother should breastfeed the infant while holding the infant near to the head.
  • The infant's nose is on the opposite side of the nipple as it is facing the breast.
  • The infant's entire body is supported. Put the baby on a pillow or folded blanket if it is lower than the mother's breast so they are both at the same level.

Different Positions to Hold the Baby for Breastfeeding

  • Cradle hold:

The mother sits up and lay the baby on his side across her lap, facing her. She supports the baby’s head in the bend of her elbow and the back and buttocks with her forearm.

  • Cross cradle hold:

The mother holds the infant in her other arm in a manner that resembles the cradle hold. The mother's hand is outstretched, holding the baby's head. As the infant latches on and sucks, it is simple to move the infant into this position and onto the breast.

  • Under arm hold:

A woman can support her infant under her arm while holding the head and neck of the infant in her palm. The infant's feet are facing her back. When the mother underwent caesarean delivery or if the baby cannot adequately absorb the mother's nipple and areola in other positions, this position is helpful.

Technique of Breast Feeding

Attachment and Suck

  • Ways to help the baby attach to the breast:
    • The mother should place her thumb on top of the breast and place her other fingers below it, keeping her fingers away from the nipple.
    • With the nipple, stroke the infant's lips.
    • Watch for a large opening of the mouth.
    • Place the infant on the breast with the bottom lip of the infant below the nipple. Move the entire infant instead of just the head by supporting the baby's neck at the back.
    • Be sure to check the baby's attachment.
    • Make sure the baby's nose is not obstructed by breast tissue while she is sucking.
    • Mothers shouldn't slouch over their infants. Instead of moving her breast to the baby, she ought to bring the infant to her breast.
  • Signs of good attachments:
    • The baby’s chin is touching the breast.
    • The baby’s mouth is wide open.
    • The lower lip is turned outward.
    • You can see more of the areola above the mouth than below.
  • Signs of good sucking:
    • There are slow deep sucks with some pauses.
    • The mother’s breasts and nipples are comfortable.

Frequency of Breastfeeding:

Baby can suckle for as long as they want. The baby can suckle until fullness is reached if the attachment, suck, and position are all favorable. Activate both breasts. Before moving on to the second breast, the baby should have finished emptying the first breast to get the rich hind milk (the last milk to come from a breast at a feeding).

Feed the Baby on Demand

  • Breastfeeding whenever the baby wants to eat. Cues that the baby wants to eat include: nuzzling, sucking on her hand, moving her head back and forth, opening her mouth.
  • Most newborns will eat on average of 8-qw times in 24 hours or about every 2-3 hours. This is important because:
    • A newborn’s stomach is small and needs to be filled often.
    • Breast milk is easily digested and therefore passes quickly through the baby.
  • With demand feeding , the mother’s milk production adjusts to the baby’s needs, so there is always enough milk. The more the baby sucks, the more milk the mother makes.

Emptying the First Breast at Each Feed

  • Encourage the mother to give the first breast a limitless amount of time before introducing the second. By doing this, the infant is more likely to receive the rich hindmilk. If the right breast was used to begin one feeding, the left breast should be utilized to begin the subsequent feeding. The amount of milk produced by each breasts will thereafter be equal.
    Do not restrict the length of the baby's sucking session.
    Foremilk, the first portion of a breastfeed, is more fluid to quench the baby's thirst.
  • The end part of the feed, called the hind milk is richer in fat to satisfy the baby’s hunger.
Things to remember
  • Cradle hold, cross cradle hold, and under arm hold are three different ways to hold the infant while you breastfeed.
  • Breast feeding techniques include attachment and sucking, as well as indications of effective latching and sucking.
  • Baby can suckle for as long as they want.
  • The baby can suckle until fullness is reached if the attachment, suck, and position are all favorable. Activate both breasts.
  • Before moving on to the second breast, the infant should have finished emptying the first breast to acquire the rich hind milk (the final milk to arrive from a breast at a feeding).
  • Encourage the mother to give the first breast a limitless amount of time before introducing the second. By doing this, the infant is more likely to receive the rich hindmilk.
  • If the right breast was used to begin one feeding, the left breast should be used to begin the subsequent feeding.
  • The amount of milk produced by both breasts will then be equal.
Questions and Answers
  • Cradle hold:
    The infant is placed on his side across the mother's lap with his back to her. She uses her forearm to hold the baby's back and buttocks while bending her elbow to support the baby's head.
  • Cross cradle hold:
    The mother holds the infant in her other arm in a manner that resembles the cradle hold. The mother's hand is outstretched, holding the baby's head. As the infant latches on and sucks, it is simple to move the infant into this position and onto the breast.
  • Under arm hold:
    A woman can support her infant under her arm while holding the head and neck of the infant in her hand. The infant's feet are facing her back. When the mother underwent caesarean birth or if the baby cannot adequately absorb the mother's nipple and areola in other positions, this posture is helpful.

Frequency of breastfeeding:

Baby can suckle for as long as they want. The baby can suckle until fullness is reached if the attachment, suck, and position are all favorable. Activate both breasts. Before moving on to the second breast, the baby should have finished emptying the first breast to get the rich hind milk (the last milk to come from a breast at a feeding).

Feed the baby on demand

  • Whenever the infant wants to eat, breastfeed. The baby may nuzzle, nibbling on her hand, moving her head back and forth, or opening her lips as signals that she wants to eat.
  • Most infants will eat eight times in a day, or around every two to three hours. This is important because:
    • A newborn's stomach is tiny and requires frequent filling.
    • Breast milk is quickly absorbed by the infant since it is simple to digest.
  • Demand-feeding ensures that there is always adequate milk because the mother's milk supply adapts to the baby's needs. The mother produces more milk as the infant suckers more.

Attachment and suck

Ways to help the baby attach to the breast:

  • The mother should place her thumb on top of the breast and place her other fingers below it, keeping her fingers away from the nipple.
  • With the nipple, stroke the infant's lips.
  • Watch for a large opening of the mouth.
  • Place the infant on the breast with the lower lip of the infant below the nipple. Move the entire baby instead of just the head by supporting the baby's neck at the back.
  • Be sure to check the baby's attachment.
  • Make sure the baby's nose is not obstructed by breast tissue when she is sucking.
  • Mothers shouldn't slouch over their infants. Instead of moving her breast to the baby, she ought to bring the infant to her breast.

Signs of good attachments:

  • The infant's chin rests on the breast.
  • The infant's mouth is open widely.
  • The bottom lip has an outward curve.
  • The areola is more visible above the mouth than below.

Signs of good sucking:

  • Slow, deep sucking with occasional pauses is present.
  • The mother's nipples and breasts feel good.

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