How to breastfeed correctly

In the eyes of many people, breastfeeding is very simple. All you have to do is hold the baby and feed him/her milk. In fact, this is a misunderstanding, because incorrect breastfeeding posture can cause many problems, such as the child easily choking and spitting up milk, and it may also affect women's breast health. Therefore, it is very necessary to master the correct breastfeeding posture. So, what is the correct way to breastfeed? Let’s take a closer look below.

Both mother and baby must be in a comfortable position while breastfeeding. The baby's chest and abdomen should be pressed against the mother's chest and abdomen, with the lower jaw pressed against the mother's breast. In general, when mothers are breastfeeding, the key points of breastfeeding posture are as follows:

1. Use a comfortable and relaxed posture for both mother and baby;

2. The baby's body is close to the mother, with the ears, shoulders and hips in a straight line;

3. The baby faces the breast with the tip of the nose facing the nipple;

4. The baby opens his mouth wide and holds the nipple and most of the areola;

5. The baby's lower jaw is close to the breast.

Four correct breastfeeding positions:

1. Cradle holding method. Sit upright in a chair with armrests and hold your child in your arms, supporting his or her body and head with your forearms and palms. Use your left hand to support the baby when feeding on the right side, and use your right hand to support the baby when feeding on the left side. Place your hands under your breasts in a U shape. Do not bend over or lean forward, but let the child be close to your breasts. This is ideal for early feeding.

2. Cross cradle holding method. Similar to the first method, but use the right hand to support the right side and the left hand to support the left side.

3. Football hold. This method is more suitable if you had a caesarean section or have large breasts. Hold your child at your side with your elbow bent and your palm outstretched, supporting his head so that he faces your breast and his back rests on your forearm. For comfort, place a cushion under your legs.

4. Side-lying holding method. You can breastfeed while lying down when you are tired. Lie on your side with your baby facing your breast. Hold your baby's body with one hand and put the nipple into his mouth with the other hand. This method is suitable for early breastfeeding and also for mothers who have undergone caesarean section.

It is best not to breastfeed in the lying position before the child is 3 months old. Because the head and neck strength of a baby are very weak, once the mother falls asleep while breastfeeding, the breast will block the baby's mouth and nose and the baby will not have enough strength to avoid it, and an accident due to suffocation may occur. Only when the child is 4 months old does he have the ability to raise his head to avoid and push away the mother's breast with his hands, or wake the mother up with body movements.