How to breastfeed
When breastfeeding:
• make sure you are sitting comfortably and you are well supported
• hold your baby close to you, facing your chest
• position your baby on his side with his nose opposite your nipple
• support your breast from underneath
• position your fingers well back from the areola/ nipple so your baby is able to take a big mouthful of breast tissue
• touch your baby’s lips with your nipple to encourage your baby to open his mouth wide
• make sure your baby’s mouth is very wide (like yawning), bring your baby quickly to the breast, chin first
• attach so your baby’s bottom lip is well down over the areola, ‘off centre’
• continue to support your breast until your baby is sucking and swallowing in a deep rhythmic pattern
• if you experience pain once your baby has commenced swallowing take your baby off and re-attach
• remember to insert a clean finger between the baby’s gums to break the seal when taking your baby off the breast.
