Breastfeeding Basics
Beautiful New Beginnings

Although breastfeeding is natural, it doesn't always come naturally. It is a learned skill that can be learned more easily with some basic knowledge and specific supportive information from a mentor.

New baby skin to skin.

  • skin to skin
  • tummy to tummy
  • nose to nipple

The early hours and days are important in getting breastfeeding off to a good start. Having your baby placed skin to skin on your chest as soon as possible following birth is an excellent way to begin the process of successful breatfeeding and bonding.

A baby may or may not latch on to the breast in the earliest of skin to skin experiences. It is still a good thing to hold your baby on bare skin and relax together during those first moments. Your baby may just nuzzle, smell or lick your nipple or breast. Your baby may attempt to latch on to your breast clumsily or like a pro. During those first moments you are both learning. There is no need to rush. It's okay to relax together.

Your mothering instincts will be stimulated during these early moments together as well. You will survey all the folds of your baby's skin, check fingers and toes. You will caress, smell and marvel at the miracle you just brought into your world. Protect and savor these moments. They begin to build a connection that will underscore your future parenting. If you miss some of these moments immediately following the birth of your baby - don't panic - you can recreate skin to skin moments over and over again. In fact you can plan on it. Over the weeks of early parenting skin to skin time should be included as frequently as possible.

There are a variety of ways to hold a baby for breastfeeding. The hold that feels the most natural and comfortable to you is usually the best way to hold your baby for breastfeeding. There are circumstances that may require a unique hold to promote a good latch for baby and comfort for a breastfeeding mother. For example; following a C-section a hold that doesn't put any pressure on the mother's incision.

Sometimes it's the little things.

  • Babies imitate.
  • Babies tune in and listen to your voice and your praise.
  • Babies are primed to nurse and to learn.
Baby imitates mother.

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New baby breastfeeding.

Support your baby's shoulders and hips. Avoid placing a hand directly on the back of a baby's head when nursing. Placing a hand on the back of baby's head will illicit an opposite reaction of pulling away from the breast by baby. Babies have good instincts including to spare themselves from having all of their airways covered.

Mother, baby and toddler.
Mother and baby drawing.
Mother holding baby in a sling style carrier.