Breastfeeding even under the best of circumstances can present
challenges, as both mother and baby are learning what to do. Yet,
breastfeeding is well worth the effort it takes to overcome hurdles you
encounter. Your baby receives important nutritional, immunological, and
developmental benefits, and both of you get to enjoy the special
closeness of a nursing mother and baby. Here are some common
breastfeeding problems mothers experience, and the solutions our
personal and professional experience has taught us.
How can I get my baby to latch on properly?
In our experience, the most common breastfeeding obstacle is improper
latch-on. A baby who does not take the breast correctly will not get as
much milk and will probably give his mother sore nipples. Here's what
we tell mothers:
First, position yourself correctly. Milk flows better from a relaxed
mother, and it's easier to breastfeed your baby if your arms, back, and
shoulders are well-supported. Prepare a nursing station in your favorite
room with a comfortable chair, plenty of pillows for support, and peace
and quiet or soothing music. After you've prepared your body to
breastfeed, prepare your mind. Take a few relaxing breaths and imagine
your nourishing milk flowing from your breasts into your baby. Help your
infant to relax, too. If she's crying, rock and sing to her until she
quiets down. If she's sleepy, gently bring her body into a sitting
position while saying her name. Babies latch on best when they are in a
quiet, yet alert, state.
Next, position your baby correctly. Whether you use the cradle hold
(baby cradled in your arms lying on a pillow on your lap), the clutch or
football hold (baby's body tucked to the side, under your arm, near
your breast, neck supported by your cupped hand), or the side-lying
position (nursing in bed), be sure that Baby's head and body are turned
to face your breast with her mouth at the level of your nipple. Pull her
in close -- she should not have to turn her head or strain her neck to
reach your nipple.
Cup your breast in your hand, with your fingers and palm underneath
and thumb on top, well behind the areola. Avoid the "cigarette hold"
(when the nipple is between your two fingers) because your fingers would
be right where baby needs to latch on. Express a few drops of milk.
Using your milk-moistened nipple, gently massage your baby's lips,
encouraging her to open her mouth wide, like yawning. As she opens wide,
direct your nipple slightly upward and toward the center of her mouth,
and with a rapid arm movement, pull her close to you, so that her mouth
will close down over your areola. We call this technique "RAM," an
abbreviation of "rapid arm movement." It may sound startling at first to
say "RAM Baby on," but it really helps mothers remember two important
components of latching on: that they need to move their arm to draw
their infant in closer (rather than leaning forward, which can make
their backs sore), and that they must move quickly before the baby's
mouth closes again.
Make sure your baby feeds from the areola, not just the nipple. To
prevent painful breastfeeding, her gums should take in a one-inch radius
around the nipple as she latches on. Compressing this area allows your
baby to get more milk, since the milk sinuses are located under the
areola.
