Good Attachment
Breastfeeding takes practise! Although the desire to breastfeed
your baby is instinctive, getting to grips with it is a learned skill, just
like anything else you are learning for the first time.
What do we mean by Attachment?
It is the way in which the baby’s
mouth is brought to and allowed to “fix” onto the breast. (Relationship of baby’s mouth
to breast)
What do we mean by Positioning?
It is how the mother chooses to position
herself, and how she holds and positions the baby for breastfeeding. (Relationship of mother to baby)
Why is a good attachment so important?
Not only will breastfeeding be
comfortable for the mother, but the baby will be able to milk the breast
more effectively and therefore get a better mix of milk, including both the
low calorie – high volume so called “foremilk” and the
fat-rich – low volume so called “hindmilk”.
So how is an optimal attachment achieved?
ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY……?
·
You need to
have your back supported and upright
·
Feet flat on
floor – or slightly raised (telephone directory ideal) to achieve
flat lap or knees slightly higher than hips
·
While the
baby is small it is useful to have a pillow across your lap to “take
up the slack” between your lap and where the baby needs to be
positioned
·
The baby
needs to approach the breast from below and scoop in a good mouthful of
lower breast tissue (along with the nipple) with its tongue and lower jaw.
·
In order to
achieve this, the baby must have its head tipped back and be
encouraged to gape. (Open its mouth widely)
One tried and tested method:
1) It is beneficial to support the breast with your
hand (fingers underneath and well back on the ribcage) Use the hand on the same side as the
breast from which you are feeding)
2) Using the opposite hand from the side you are
feeding on, support the baby’s head and shoulders in such a way so
that the head is free to tip back.
3) Bring the baby towards the breast with the chin
leading.
4) Gently brush the baby’s top lip against
your nipple to elicit a big gape.
5) Anticipating the widest moment of the gape, bring
the baby’s mouth to the breast, aiming THE BOTTOM LIP AS FAR AWAY
FROM THE BASE OF THE NIPPLE AS POSSIBLE
6) In this way the deep mouthful required for a good
attachment can be achieved.
How do you know it is right?
·
It should
not be painful
·
The baby
should soon get into a rhythm of deep sucks and pauses
·
The baby
will be relaxed, not fidgety
·
The nose
will be free, not squashed
·
The baby
will “let go” spontaneously at the end of the feed
For further help with breastfeeding you
may like to visit Julie at The Baby Café – Roundabout Centre, Ormerod School,
Waynflete Rd,
Headington, Oxford.
Wednesdays 11.30-1.30 lunch available or
bring your own. Free
refreshments.
See www.thebabycafe.org
for more details
I may also available for home visits at
other times. Please call for details.
01865 763374
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