Signs to know if your baby is latched correctly

Breastfeeding can be a bit tricky at first, but with a little practice, you can get your baby to latch correctly so that they can feed with ease. Here are a few tips on how to latch a baby.

Latching your baby can be difficult at first, however it will get easier with practice, and a few tips of our tips on how to latch a baby. There are a few signs that can give you an idea about whether your baby is latched on properly or not. Keep an eye out for the following signs throughout his feed:

• You can feel a good suction, without pain.
• You can hear swallowing every couple of sucks. Sometimes the infant will suck for a couple of minutes before you have let-down.
• You can see baby’s jaw and ears moving while sucking.

• You should see pausing between sucks. This means baby is getting mouthfuls of milk.
• You should not feel biting or chewing while infant is sucking.
• You should not see dimpling of the cheeks.

• You should not be able to hear clicking or smacking noises.
• If you look down at your baby while he’s feeding, his head should be tipped back. His chin should be touching your breast, and his nose should be free.
• Your baby should be able to breathe easily during the feed, without you needing to push your breast away from his nose.

My newborn’s breastfeeding routine can leave me tired. How can I cope?

In the first month, your newborn baby will need to breastfeed an average of 8 to 12 times a day, which is almost every 2-3 hours. This new routine can leave any mother tired, fatigued and irritable.

How to best prepare yourself for breastfeeding

Preparing yourself for breastfeeding prior to and post-delivery can help make your nursing experience very comfortable and pleasant. Here are a few tips to prepare you:

• Keep in touch. Talk to close friends and family, who are breastfeeding or have breastfed in the past, about their experience.
• Research. Learn as much as you can about breastfeeding; its benefits, techniques, difficulties etc. Ideally speak to your physician to provide you with as much information as possible.
• Prepare. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, try to massage your breasts daily to clear out the ducts.
• Buy a breast pump. Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed your baby and not express milk, having a breast pump at hand will help in case your breasts feel overly full and uncomfortable.
• Be patient. Breastfeeding is not a science; it is a natural process that you and your baby will gradually learn to enjoy. If you or your baby are uncomfortable, get in touch with a lactation consultant who will guide you on how to latch a baby and help you find a position that suits you both.