Check
for your baby's readiness to nurse, by stroking your
finger over his lips. This will stimulate the sucking
reflex. Allow the baby to suck on your finger. You will
learn how your baby suckles.
When you're ready to put
your baby to the breast, unswaddle baby from the
blanket. Skin to skin contact is stimulating to a baby
and may even wake a sleepy baby.
Lie down on your side and
slide baby next to you, your tummy to baby's tummy, your
nipple to baby's nose. Pull baby close so that baby's
head tilts back slightly, your baby's chin should press into the breast
and your baby's nose just touches the breast.
Hold your breast so your
index finger is touching your ribs—like your bras
under-wire,
You will see how the nipple protrudes and the breast is
easily managed. (Try not to touch the areola or the nipple).
Brush the nipple down
over baby’s lips, this will encourage baby to open the
mouth and encourage the baby to extend the tongue.
Baby may taste for
several minutes before opening his eyes and becoming
alert and want to nurse.
By rolling the breast
into baby’s mouth, instead of pushing the breast
against the lips allows baby to grasp the breast,
instead of just the nipple.
A good latch-on occurs
when baby’s lips are flanged around are areola, the
cheeks remain full (no dimpling seen), and long steady
pauses are noted every second or two.
If it hurts: Check to see
if baby has tuck their lip in over their gum line. If
this has occurred gently and carefully pull baby’s lip
out so it flanges around the breast.
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