Northside Hospital - Special Beginnings

STEPS TO BREASTFEEDING There are several steps that will help your baby learn to breastfeed. They include the following:

• Skin-to-skin • Non-nutritive sucking • Nutritive breastfeeding

Holding your baby skin-to-skin Having direct skin-to-skin time with your baby is very important because it provides many benefits related to breastfeeding. Research has shown that when mothers are skin-to-skin with their babies on a regular basis their milk volume can increase by 50%. Another important benefit is that you are being exposed to the same environment as your baby. Your body will begin to produce antibodies to help protect your baby from infections and you will pass these antibodies to your baby through your breast milk. Non-nutritive breastfeeding Non-nutritive suckling is the next step to assist with the transition to breastfeeding. Babies are introduced to breastfeeding by giving them opportunities to suckle at the breast after pumping. This allows the baby to start learning without getting over whelmed by a lot of milk. Your baby can practice latching onto your breast without having to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing. You will learn how to practice positioning your baby. Your baby may lie quietly at the breast or may latch and suck a few times.

Nutritive breastfeeding As your baby develops those feeding skills of coordinating sucking, swallowing and breathing, he will be able to breastfeed more effectively and stay alert for longer periods of time. Talk with your baby’s nurse or lactation consultant to see if your baby is ready for nutritive breastfeeding. Signs baby is receiving milk • Observe for long jaw movements. • Listen for swallowing. • After a larger volume of milk comes in, you will hear swallow sounds like “Ca-Ca”. • Breasts feel softer after the feeding. • Pump less milk than usual after a feeding.

Special Beginnings in the Special Care Nurseries

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