Best Breastfeeding Positions
Breastfeeding can be a source of many worries for a fresh mother, which is why we want to tell you today what the best breastfeeding positions are. If you are unsure of how and in what position to breastfeed, the following description of well-perceived breastfeeding positions can be very helpful.
Best breastfeeding positions
When breastfeeding, you can choose from many positions based on your physical space and comfort. In addition, you can vary your baby’s posture to promote his or her well-being during feeding.
Regardless of the position, check that the baby’s suction is good. The child’s mouth should be open, the tongue should touch the nipples from below and the lips should be turned outwards. In addition, both the chin and nose should touch the chest.
Takanoja position
This is the most common breastfeeding position in mammals, and is also good for human breastfeeding, so the baby can look for the breast himself and switch to another breast when he needs it.
Go to a half-sitting position and place the baby next to you so that he is on his stomach and his head is between your breasts. Once your baby’s whole body is on you, you don’t have to support him – just keeping an eye out is enough.
The newborn may look for the breast for 10 to 60 minutes, but as he grows slightly, the time is clearly reduced. This will take less than ten minutes.
Sitting position
When the mother is sitting or half-sitting, the baby can be placed side by side in several ways, such as the following:
- Along the length : The mother sits with her back straight, keeping the baby facing the breast so that the legs are towards the other breast. If your baby rejects the breast, move your legs aside so he feels he is getting milk from the breast he normally accepts.
- Rugby style : Here the baby is lying on his back while sucking, and his body is supported by the mother’s arm and the legs close to the mother’s back. This is one of the best breastfeeding positions especially if you have given birth by caesarean section. This is because the baby does not put pressure on the area of the surgical wound, and the position also allows the milk ducts to be emptied so that blockages caused by the accumulation of milk can be avoided.
- Vertical : Here the mother sits and puts the child, who is also in a sitting position, on one of her thighs. The position promotes eye contact as well as prevents the throat from clogging the milk when the baby is sucking very quickly.
Lateral position
In this position, the baby is on the bed in a lying position and parallel to the mother’s side – you can rest while breastfeeding.
The posture is one of the best for situations where your baby is very heavy or you are recovering from childbirth. The position works so that the baby’s feet point towards your head or stomach.
On all fours
While this position is not common, it is a good option for mothers with breast inflammation as it makes it easier to empty the milk ducts. To do this, put the baby on his back and kneel so that your thighs are close to his head. You can then lean towards the baby and bring your chest to your mouth.
How to equip yourself for breastfeeding?
Before you start breastfeeding your baby, it’s a good idea to prepare with some stuff, as you’ll be spending a long time doing this – even hours. The following things are necessary:
- A good chair that is suitable for breastfeeding
- Pillows to support your arms while carrying your baby, as well as your neck, hips and knees
- Reading, handkerchiefs, a glass of water, and other things you think you want while breastfeeding so you don’t have to get up often
There are many breastfeeding positions and you can choose the one that works best for you and your baby. Breastfeeding is an extremely talented creator of the bond of love and will make your baby happy, strong and healthy.
