Breast Feeding And Positioning
For some people, the process of breastfeeding seems to come naturally, although there's a level of skill required for successful feeding and a correct technique to use. Incorrect positioning is one of the biggest reasons for unsuccessful feeding and it can even injure the nipple or breast quite easily.
By stroking the baby's cheek with the nipple, the baby will open its mouth towards the nipple, which should then be pushed in so that the baby will get a mouthful of nipple and areola. This position is known as latching on. A lot of women prefer to wear a nursing bra to allow easier access to the breast than other normal bras.
The length of feeding time will vary. Regardless of the duration of feeding time, it's important for mothers to be comfortable. The following are positions you can use:
- Upright - The sitting position where the back is straight.
- Mobile - Mobile is where the mother carries her baby in a sling or carrier while breastfeeding. Doing this allows the mother to breastfeed in the work of everyday life.
- Lying down - This is good for night feeds or for those who have had a cesarean section.
- On her back - The mother is sitting slightly upright, also a useful position for tandem breastfeeding.
- On her side - The mother and baby both lie on their sides.
- Hands and knees - In this feeding position, the mother is on all fours with the baby underneath her. Keep in mind, this position isn't normally recommended.
Anytime you don't feel comfortable with a feeding position, always stop and switch to a different position. Each position is different, while some mothers prefer one position, others may like a totally different position. All you need to do is an experiment and see which position is best for you.
Breast Feeding Adopted Babies
Not only is breastfeeding an adopted baby easy, but the chances are also that you will produce a large amount of milk. It isn't complicated to do, although it is different from breastfeeding a baby you have been pregnant with for 9 months.
Breastfeeding and milk two objectives are involved in breastfeeding an adopted baby. The first is getting your baby to breastfeed, and the other is producing enough breast milk.
There is more to breastfeeding than just milk, which is why many mothers are happy to feed without expecting to produce milk in the way the baby needs. It's the closeness, and the bond breastfeeding provides that many mothers look for.
Taking the breast Even though many feel the early introduction of bottles may interfere with breastfeeding, the early introduction of artificial nipples can interfere a great deal. The sooner you can get the baby to the breast after birth. The better things will be.
However, babies will require the flow from the breast to stay attached and continue to suck, especially if they are used to getting flow from a bottle or other method of feeding.
Producing breast milk as soon as you have an adopted baby in sight, contact a lactation clinic and start getting your milk supply ready. Keep in mind, you may never produce a full milk supply for your baby, although it may happen. You should never feel discouraged by what you may be pumping before the baby, as a pump is never quite as good at extracting milk as a baby who is well latched and sucking.
Breast Feeding And Jaundice
Jaundice is a result of buildup in the blood of the bilirubin, a yellow pigment that comes from the breakdown of older red blood cells. It's normal for the red blood cells to break down, although the bilirubin formed doesn't normally cause jaundice because the liver will metabolize it and then get rid of it in the gut.
However, the newborn baby will often become jaundiced during the first few days due to the liver enzyme that metabolizes the bilirubin becoming relatively immature. Therefore, newborn babies will have more red blood cells than adults, and thus more will break down at any given time.
Breast Milk Jaundice
There is a condition commonly referred to as breast milk jaundice, although no one knows what actually causes it. In order to diagnose it, the baby should be at least a week old. The baby should also be gaining well with breastfeeding alone, having lots of bowel movements with the passing of clean urine.
In this type of setting, the baby has what is referred to as breast milk jaundice. On occasion, infections of the urine or an under-functioning of the baby's thyroid gland and other rare illnesses may cause the same types of problems.
Breast milk jaundice will peak at 10 - 21 days, although it can last 2 - 3 months. Contrary to what you may think, breast milk jaundice is normal. Rarely, if at all ever, does breastfeeding need to be stopped for even a brief period of time.
If the baby is doing well on breast milk, there is no reason at all to stop or supplement with a lactation aid.
Breast Feeding Complications
Sore nipples
A lot of mothers complain about tender nipples that make breastfeeding painful and frustrating. There is good news though, as most mothers don't suffer that long. The nipples will toughen up quickly and render breastfeeding virtually painless.
Improperly positioned babies or babies that suck really hard can make the breasts extremely sore. Below, are some ways to ease your discomfort:
1. Make sure your baby is in the correct position since a baby that isn't positioned correctly is the number one cause of sore nipples.
2. Once you have finished feeding, expose your breasts to the air and try to protect them from clothing and other irritations.
3. After breastfeeding, apply some ultra-purified, medical-grade lanolin, making sure to avoid petroleum jelly and other products with oil.
4. Make sure to wash your nipples with water and not with soap.
5. Many women find teabags ran under cold water to provide some relief when placed on the nipples.
6. Make sure you vary your position each time with feeding to ensure that a different area of the nipple is being compressed each time.
Clogged milk ducts
Clogged milk ducts can be identified as small, red tender lumps on the tissue of the breast. Clogged ducts can cause the milk to back up and lead to infection. The best way to unclog these ducts is to ensure that you've emptied them as completely as possible. You should offer the clogged breast first at feeding time, then let your baby empty it as much as possible.
If milk remains after the feeding, the remaining amount should be removed by hand or with a pump. You should also keep pressure off the duct by making sure your bra is not too tight.
Breast infection
Also known as mastitis, breast infection is normally due to empty breasts completely out of milk, germs gaining entrance to the milk ducts through cracks or fissures in the nipple, and decreased immunity in the mother due to stress or inadequate nutrition.
The symptoms of breast infection include severe pain or soreness, hardness of the breast, redness of the breast, heat coming from the area, swelling, or even chills.
The treatment of breast infection includes bed rest, antibiotics, pain relievers, increased fluid intake, and applying heat. Many women will stop breastfeeding during an infection, although it's actually the wrong thing to do. By emptying the breasts, you'll actually help to prevent clogged milk ducts.
If the pain is so bad you can't feed, try using a pump while laying in a tub of warm water with your breasts floating comfortably in the water. You should also make sure that the pump isn't electric if you plan to use it in the bathtub.
You should always make sure that breast infections are treated promptly and completely or you may risk the chance of abscess. An abscess is very painful, involving throbbing and swelling. You'll also experience swelling, tenderness, and heat in the area of the abscess. If the infection progresses this far, your doctor may prescribe medicine and even surgery.
Thanks for reading and hope you’re enjoying this series. Feel free to check out the other articles in the series.
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