Northside Hospital - Special Beginnings

Positioning your baby Positioning is a very important part of a successful

breastfeeding experience. Your baby may not have the strength to hold your breast in his mouth without your help. You can offer extra support for his head and your breast by using the cross cradle and football positions so baby can latch on and feed more effectively. A breastfeeding pillow is also very helpful. There are breastfeeding pillows available for you to use in the SCN or you can bring your own and keep it at your baby’s bedside.

Cross-Cradle

Cradle

Good positioning and latch-on are the keys to successful breastfeeding.

Baby-Led

Clutch

POSITIONING/LATCH-ON Helpful tips for positioning: • Hold your baby chest-to-chest. • Align your baby’s ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line. • Support the base of your baby’s head. Helpful tips to latch-on: • Prior to feeding, wash your hands, find a comfortable location and decide on a feeding position.

• Be patient until he opens his mouth wide. Let him take the lead. • Baby’s head is slightly tilted back. • Aim your nipple toward the roof of his mouth. (See image 3) • His chin should approach breast first. • When he opens wide, quickly and gently pull him toward your breast. (See image 4) • His mouth should cover the nipple and more of the lower portion of the areola. This is called an asymmetrical or “off-centered” latch. • Good latch-on is a learned response. Be patient with yourself and your baby. Signs of an effective latch-on: • All of the nipple and as much of the areola as possible in baby’s mouth. • Lips flanged or turned out. • Baby stays on breast. • Absence of pain.

• Skin-to-skin contact can be used prior to feeding or during a feeding session if your baby isn’t ready to latch. • Gently massage each breast and hand express until milk is visible. • Align your baby’s chest to your tummy and align his nose with your nipple. (See image 1) • Support your breast and gently lift. Make sure your fingers are well away from the areola tissue. • Stroke your baby’s upper lip lightly with your nipple in a downward motion, pausing on baby’s lower lip, to help baby’s mouth to open wide. (See image 2)

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Slide your finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the suction.

Run nipple lightly across baby’s upper lip.

Aim nipple toward the roof of his mouth.

Pull him onto your breast quickly and gently.

Align properly.

34 Special Beginnings in the Special Care Nurseries