How to breastfeed: Essential basics for new moms

Congratulations on your new arrival! The last nine months have been full of excitement anticipation and possibly some anxiety about how to care for your newborn son or daughter. Bathing changing burping clothing - these are all important steps to caring for your newborn and perhaps the most important is feeding your baby. If you and your partner are new parents planning on breastfeeding here's a basic guide on how to breastfeed your newborn.

Nurse early nurse often

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you make your first attempt at breastfeeding as soon as you and your baby are stable after birth. From then on you should plan to nurse your baby eight to 12 times per day - about every one and a half to three hours depending on your baby's needs.

There's more than one way to breastfeed a newborn - you just need to decide which way is the most comfortable for you and your baby. The La Leche League provides several descriptions complete with illustrations of the various ways you can position your baby while breastfeeding including some that are optimal for C-section moms.

While you're still learning how to breastfeed you may choose to stay with the one or two positions that are the most successful for you and your baby but as you become more proficient you can to branch out to others.

Getting the latch

Before you bring the baby to your breast you may want to manually stimulate your nipple until you express some milk. This early milk is called colostrum a thick yellow fluid that is packed with nutrients for your newborn baby. Your regular milk will come in a few days.

Bring your baby close to your breast comfortably in position. Tickle your baby's mouth with your nipple to encourage them to open their mouth wide. Support your breast by holding around the areola with your hand in a U or C shape. The baby's mouth should be open very wide as if they're yawning and you should draw them quickly onto your nipple. Make sure to bring the baby to you rather than try to stretch the breast or strain your back by bringing your breast to him or her. To help you visualize this the Department of Health and Human Services provides some helpful illustrations.

Your entire nipple including some of the surrounding areola should be in the baby's mouth. This helps the baby stimulate the milk ducts and prevents painful cracked nipples. An effective latch shouldn't be painful but you should feel a gentle pull.

Getting a proper latch is the key to breastfeeding but it's also the most difficult part. Don't get discouraged if you and your baby don't get it right away it is perfectly normal for mastering this step to take some practice. Keep trying and ask for help from your postpartum nurses or the lactation specialists at your hospital's baby care center. They can provide you with tips for a good latch make sure your baby is correctly positioned and encourage you to keep trying.

Remember both you and your baby are beginners and while breastfeeding is portrayed as the most natural thing in the world you'll need to learn together to have a successful nursing relationship. Breastfeeding has many benefits for you and your baby so don't let the initial adjustment phase intimidate you. With a little practice the two of you will be pros in no time.

Telephone and in-person lactation support is available at many Reid Health locations:

• New moms can reach out to the Reid Health Family Birthing Center 24 hours a day for lactation concerns at 765-983-3020. The Family Birthing Center is staffed with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and several Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC); these staff will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns they have regarding breastfeeding day or night.

• Reid OB/GYN has Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC) on staff and may be a resource for new parents. Call 765-962-9541 and discuss your situation with a phone nurse.

• Primary Care offices may also have certified lactation support available. When deciding on a pediatrician office or during your baby's first follow-up appointment, ask if they have lactation support staff in office.