How Do You Breastfeed?
Feeding Cues
Begin breastfeeding when you see your baby showing any of these early hunger cues:
- Licking
- Sucking movements
- Rooting
- Bringing hand to face or mouth
Crying is a late hunger cue, and many babies have trouble latching once they become frustrated and begin to cry.
Positioning
- Make yourself comfortable.
- Hold your baby at the level of your breast. Place a pillow or two on your lap.
- Hold your baby so that their whole body is facing you.
- Support your breast by holding it at the base while compressing your breast in the same direction as your baby’s mouth.
- Position your baby so that their nose is at the level of your nipple.
Latching On
- While supporting your breast, tilt the nipple upward and stroke baby’s lips until mouth opens wide.
- In one quick move, bring your baby to your breast with chin leading first when they open their mouth.
- Both upper and lower lips should be flanged outward over the areola, chin dug into the breast.
- Most of the darker part of the breast, the areola, should be inside baby’s mouth.
Sucking
- Your baby will start feeding with a period of quick sucks at the beginning. After this, your baby’s sucking deepens and you should see and hear regular swallowing.
- You should feel a strong pulling sensation as your baby sucks. If you feel pain during the feed for more than several seconds, break the suction by placing your smallest / pinkie finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth, they will release your breast; then re-latch your baby
- If pain persists, contact a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).
- If your baby stops sucking at the breast, gently compress your breast to express milk in their mouth or nudge your infant’s chin to remind them to keep sucking.
- When your baby is positioned, latched on and sucking well, they will come off the breast spontaneously when they are finished, either by falling asleep or popping off on their own.
- Burp your baby and offer the second breast until they are done feeding.
Contact Us
For additional information, call the Center for Breastfeeding Medicine at 513-636-2326.
