10 Breastfeeding Positions to Master
These 10 breastfeeding positions to master will determine the path of your breastfeeding journey. Master these skills and you will be a pro. If this is your first baby, I’m sure you’re wondering what the “breastfeeding positions” hype is all about. I mean really, what is the big deal about a specific position to hold and feed your baby at the breast? Don’t you just put the kiddo there and he naturally knows what to do? On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned successful nursing mom, you get it. You remember how integral the correct placement of hands could calm baby quickly and bring you comfortable tugging, not pinching. If you’re not new to breastfeeding but didn’t have an easy go of it, maybe this blog is the perfect fit for you. Either way, having a few reminders and pictures to refer to, can only aid in your expedition. The goal is to pass nutrients from your breast to the baby’s mouth with the least amount of discomfort and the most gain. Properly positioning the little one when feeding can alleviate a lot of the issues you hear about. Let’s look at the most common ways and explore a few other techniques that help during complications. Breastfeeding Positions to Master Cross Cradle: For the newborn, this and “football” are the go-to holds. Although don’t rule out the older baby- especially when sick, preemie, neurologically impaired or other anomalies. The more control you have to start the process of feeding, the easier your baby will obtain a comfortable latch. Primarily you would hold your breast with one hand and the baby’s head with the other for optimal results. While supporting baby with-say, the right arm you would cross your body to the left breast. The key to making this work is that you are bringing the baby to the breast, not your breast to the baby. Football or Clutch: As mentioned above, in the beginning, head management and breast support is the way to a foolproof, comfortable start. Imagine holding a football clutched under your arm and running down the field to the goal. You’ll need to keep the football safe and properly supported to reach your desired target. Same with a baby- without the running! Always HOLD your baby, don’t let baby lay on a surface- even the ones “made for breastfeeding,” like a boppy! When using your right hand, you’ll support the baby’s head and the left hand will support the right breast. Carefully and patiently you’ll use both hands to guide the baby to the right breast. Cradle: Most widely used position for the baby with head control and an experienced mom. In those first weeks, this position may cause nipple pain, slow weight gain and a lot of frustration. While it is a common, natural placement in the arms of a mother-or anyone for that matter-this hold has the tendency to make baby “search” for the nipple and take longer to get a quality feeding underway. Since the baby will have his head in the crook of the elbow and mom will need to lift her arm with 8ish pounds of a squiggly worm, it’s difficult to get the perfect latch. When the baby is in the left arm, he would go to left breast. With stronger neck muscles in the future weeks, cradle hold will be easy to accomplish. Side-Lying: For sure, the most comfortable way for an exhausted mother to nurse her young child. Let’s face it, Parenting is EXHAUSTING, and we need all the help we can get to keep going. Any chance you can assume a restful, feeding position- take it. There is nothing wrong with feeding this way any time of day or night. Having your body fully supported by setting pillows around you and between your knees, will give a higher likelihood of comfort and success. The first few attempts will go smoother if a helper can position the baby at the breast once you’re settled. Don’t worry about baby’s comfort, they are easily adaptable. You would get in your usual side-lying position with a pillow under your head, position yourself so that the bottom breast is accessible to baby and adjust your back so that it is supported. The helper puts baby on his side next to exposed breast with nose to nipple and mom wraps an arm around his back or puts a wedge there to keep him in this area. A few variations would be to invert or to cradle baby before laying down. Be patient and relax. Let the endorphins flow. Laid Back: Maybe you’ve heard this one referred to as “biological nurturing”? Either way, it’s the same concept, LAY BACK in a recliner of some sort. Not flat on your back. Allow you and baby to home in on your natural intuition in a relaxed, supportive chair or bed. If you sit semi-reclined with enough backing to your body and put the baby’s front side to your front side with the baby’s cheek somewhere near the bare breast, feeding will take place. You can support or guide him, hold or not hold breast and just watch your little one take the lead. It is essential that gravity is on your side and you have the option to let go if you choose to. More Complicated Positions to Master Hands and Knees or Dangling: Yes, I do mean laying baby on his back while you hang your breast over him and let him latch. This is a great option for an engorged breast, plugged duct, mastitis, sick baby, etc. When breasts or babies are congested this odd position can help alleviate the issue. It’s a good idea to have a helper to make you more comfortable with props once you get started. This is a short-term situation not meant for everyday use. Upright or Koala: Sounds awkward but it can be very effective for babies with reflux, ear infections, tongue
The Fourth Trimester
It’s strange to hear the newborn period referenced as the “fourth trimester.” You’ve spent 10 (not 9) long months on a countdown through days, weeks, months and trimesters patiently waiting until the end of the third trimester for “this” to be over so you can meet your little one. Emotionally, those first three months postpartum are a time of transformation for you, your baby, and your partner. Learning how to be a family is taxing. Physically your body is adjusting to the new spaciousness, milking breasts, and the crazy hormone acclimation. Let’s not forget the exceptional changes a newborn phase through. The cerebellum alone triples in size during the first year. Those early experiences outside the womb are integral to optimize brain development. Newborns are born slightly immature at full term. The rest of their growth is done through human touch, hence the reason they need to be held like a marsupial. If only a pouch came with the baby to facilitate the “babywearing!” Reality Let’s face it; babies are a lot of work regardless of feeding preference. In the beginning, it is not unheard of to be holding them 20 hours per day or more. Breastfeeding alone can take a half-hour to an hour 8x per day minimum. Bottle feeding can take less time feeding, but more time cleaning, buying, preparing, and planning. The first week’s home, family, and friends can’t wait to help you with holding, changing diapers, bathing, feeding, etc. Even those that choose to bottle feed to share the feedings quickly learn that the novelty wears off, and everyone goes back to normal life. Therefore, you are the sole caregiver and need to do 95% of the feedings and caring. Mothering is the most selfless job but worth every minute! Help If this is your first experience with a newborn, enlist some help from a close friend or family member who you could learn from their experience. Even if it’s your tenth baby, get help during the fourth trimester! You will survive despite having their support, but it may make the learning curve shorter. Although, if you don’t have a good relationship with the family or friend willing to help, then scratch that idea and hire someone instead. Their expertise is priceless. Even if you have one close person to talk/text at all hours, you will feel better. Maybe you are a seasoned mom, but this baby is different from the other/s? Or perhaps you are learning how to divide your attention to each needy individual? Using your support network to give you a needed nap, shower, meal, or alone time with baby can be integral to making a smooth transition. Remember not to feel guilty for demanding this time; your physical and mental health is just as essential to be a mom. Besides, your other child/children had this passage with you, and it’s only fair you and baby have this bonding time too. Needy Understanding how the newborn is wired will make this transition easier. In short, babies are just trying to survive. Eating, pooping, sleeping, and crying is the job of a healthy newborn. If they are not doing this, then something may be wrong. Don’t take it personally when you have literally done everything to settle her, and she is still upset. Sometimes it’s a guessing game, and you lose. Eventually, she will fall asleep or calm down in your arms. If you feel like you are on the verge of falling apart, it’s ok to put her down in a safe place and walk away for a breather. Go outside or somewhere quieter to clear your head. Then return refreshed and capable of handling your crying baby. When she gives you that first meaningful smile, you won’t remember the new mom’s burnout. Promise! Thankfully, the fourth trimester is a short time in the grand scheme of things. Yes, it is exhausting and feels like it will stay like this permanently, but it doesn’t. The human species would have ceased to exist a long time ago if there was no end in sight. Try to soak up this period as much as possible because before you know it, she will be going to kindergarten. Happy Parenting!
Third Trimester Planning
Third-trimester planning takes the pressure off when you are busy learning your new role- MOM! It’s not essential for you to do everything on the list before the baby, but it can improve your recovery from birth. You will become an awesome mother whether you’re prepared or not; after all, babies don’t require much more than diapers, clothes, breasts, and shelter. It’ll be ok! To-Do List Employer conversation: Know the federal, state, and office policies on FMLA-pregnancy-maternity leave and the pumping at work laws before you broach the subject with your boss. Be well versed in your rights and start that conversation now about your plans to return even if you’re not sure or think you may not go back. Get a tentative return to work date agreed upon and explain that you’d like to ease back in. Potentially work from home before going into the office or go back on a Thursday instead of a Monday or possibly start with half days etc. shorten your first weeks back. Get creative and don’t be afraid to explain what you’re thinking. Most bosses want to work it out so that you can be successful when you return, not distracted. Don’t forget to discuss your breastfeeding plans and the need to pump. Find a place that you can safely, effectively pump 3-4 times per day until you get settled (it’ll be less frequent after the first month). Ask your seasoned coworkers where they pumped and how they made it work successfully. Be committed to doing what it takes to feed your baby organic, straight from the source, unprocessed food! Educate Yourself Class: If you haven’t had a birth-breastfeeding-newborn care class, do it now! Each class has valuable perks with the right teacher. Preferably, you’ve been working with a doula that has been teaching you throughout the pregnancy. Still, it’s never too late to find one. If a doula is not in your plan, get into a class ASAP. While I’m all for online learning, I do believe there are many more benefits to an in-person class or 2 when it comes to pregnancy. You will gain a lot from the questions asked in the room as well as likely make a few mom/dad friends. Plus, there is no comparison to having tangible props and a live expert to connect with. Especially if she is local. Support in the Third Trimester Build your tribe! Find local mom friends who can help you navigate new parenthood. People who have similar philosophies, backgrounds, and plans as you are preparing. You should be looking for the least judgy, always ready to help, and most supportive of kin to add to your village. She will be who you call/text late at night with what seems like silly questions or to cry on her shoulder. If you happen to be the first in your friends to be entering motherhood, it’s ok-you’ll have to look further than your close circle. There are thousands of women in your area who would love to connect and share. Find all the experts! Know who your community resources are ahead of time. You want to be familiar with those that can help in a variety of ways. Professionals who can help with baby questions/care, nannies or daycares, breastfeeding experts, alternative caregivers like a prenatal-newborn chiropractor-craniosacral therapist-naturopath-pediatric dentist or ENT-prenatal/postpartum yoga teacher-pelvic floor specialist, etc. Keeping a list of the most highly regarded experts can save you time later if you experience any setbacks or health conditions. Visitor preparations Prepare your visitors: Sounds frivolous and straightforward, but it’s worth the extra planning. You and your partner need to have a discussion, right now, about the people allowed in the labor/birth room. Be sure to include who will be allowed to visit in the days and weeks beyond that as well. Don’t leave it to family and friends to decide. Agree to what is most important to you both and stick with a well thought out plan. Share this arrangement with your over-exuberant folk, and don’t let them talk you out of it. It’s ok, it’s your right-your baby, and they can all wait. Have a meal plan: Every time you prepare a meal in the last trimester, make extra and freeze it. Even if it’s a small amount, these meals can quickly help you maneuver through the first few weeks. Honestly, it doesn’t take much to apply the same concept in a well-meaning friends’ kitchen. Just ask a few BFF’s to help out. Stock up on non-perishable, easy to grab, quick snacks to leave by your “nursing corner.” Always have fresh water by your side. You will be very thirsty in the fourth trimester. Most of your pregnancy is spent dreaming about what your baby will look like and dealing with the ailments that come with growing a human while the end slowly sneaks up on you. If you handle most of the “business” part of the 3rd and 4th trimester now, you’ll find yourself relaxing and enjoying your baby later. Third-trimester planning is a win-win for everyone!
