Feeding Tips
Breastfeeding may be a natural response, but it’s still a skill that often takes a little time to get the hang of – for both mom and baby. Babies tend to set their own schedule of when and how much they need to feed, and mothers have to usually follow their cue.
It is usually recommended that infants only be given breast milk for the first 6 months of life. After that, complementary foods can be added to breast milk. A child can be breastfed until 2 years of age and after. |
Here are 10 useful points to keep in mind as you breastfeed:
- Be comfortable as you breastfeed and make sure your arms and shoulders are relaxed. There are multiple ways to hold your baby during a feed and try them out until you find what works best for both of you. Sometimes, what works during one feed may not be as comfortable for the other.
- Have your baby sleep in a crib in the same room as you, to make it easier for you to breastfeed during the night
- Make sure your baby’s head is in line with his/her body. This helps your baby swallow the milk easily
- Hold your baby close to you as you breastfeed, so your baby is not straining to reach the breast
- To help your baby open the mouth and attach well, line the baby’s nose with your nipple
- Tickling your baby’s lower lip may prompt your baby to open the mouth wide
- One of the signs of a good latch is that it feels comfortable without any pinching or hurting feeling. Some babies find it easy to latch, while others take a little time to learn to do it.
- In the early months, you may have to wake up your baby in the night for a feed. Some of the ways to gently wake your baby are to place your baby skin-to-skin, change the diaper, or massage the baby’s tummy, legs or back.
- There’s no fixed timing for how long a baby may breastfeed. It may be 15-20 minutes per breast, but could be longer, or more frequent.
- Wait until your baby is at least 1 month old before you use a pacifier. This will allow your baby to learn to latch well.
References:
- NHS Choices. Breastfeeding: positioning and attachment. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/breastfeeding-positioning-attachment.aspx.
- World Health Organization. Nutrition: Exclusive breastfeeding. http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/exclusive_breastfeeding/en/.
