Learning how to breast-feed

In the first few days after delivery, breast-feed your baby every 1 to 3 hours even if you have to wake your baby. Frequent breast-feeding increases your prolactin levels, which stimulates your breasts to produce more milk.

You can help prevent and solve many problems when you become familiar with basic breast-feeding techniques, such as proper latch-on and feeding positions. The basic breast-feeding positions include:

• Cradle hold .
• Cross-cradle hold .
• Football hold .
• Side-lying position .
• Australian hold .

Alternate which breast you start with at each feeding. Also use a different position frequently. At first, you may change the hold you use each time you feed your baby. These practices help ensure that all areas of your breast empty well during the feeding. Using different positions and alternating breasts for each feeding may help to prevent sore nipples or blocked milk ducts.

Women who have had a cesarean delivery may prefer positions in which the baby doesn't rest on the abdomen, such as the side-lying position or the football hold.

The first few weeks of breast-feeding can be challenging because of the changes to your body and routine. With preparation and support, you can learn the skills necessary to breast-feed successfully.

How to breast-feed

Treating early minor problems

Minor problems are common during breast-feeding. Most breast-feeding challenges can be solved at home with help from your doctor or lactation consultant as needed. These types of problems often include:

• Breast engorgement, which can cause painful breasts and flattened nipples, making it difficult for a baby to latch on for feeding. Gently massage your breasts and express or pump some milk to soften your nipple and areola before breast-feeding. This will help your baby latch deeper onto your breast, past your nipple and onto your areola. Wearing a supportive, well-fitting bra also may help, and applying cold compresses to your breasts occasionally after breast-feeding may reduce swelling and pain. For more information, see the topic Breast Engorgement.
• Sore or cracked nipples. You can help relieve the pain from sore or cracked nipples by rubbing a few drops of breast milk on the nipple and areola and allowing letting it dry completely. Try using a hair dryer on a low, cool setting to help your nipples dry more quickly. It may also help to apply pure lanolin cream on your nipples.
• Blocked milk ducts and mastitis. Blocked milk ducts may cause a painful lump in the breast. Untreated blocked milk ducts can lead to an infection, which will require a visit to your doctor. Massage the affected area toward the nipple before breast-feeding and during feeding. This simple measure can help release the milk plug. Also, this is one time you should always feed your baby on the affected side first. Your baby is usually more eager at the start of a feeding. The stronger sucking force helps empty the breast and unblock the duct.
• Poor let-down. Practice relaxation techniques; breast-feed in comfortable, quiet, and familiar spots; eat properly; and drink plenty of fluids. Your doctor may prescribe oxytocin if your let-down does not improve within a few days of starting breast-feeding.
• Breast milk leaking. Your let-down reflex may be stimulated unintentionally. Be prepared by using absorbent pads that you change frequently. You can use washable or disposable pads, but do not use pads that have a plastic backing.
• Low milk supply. More frequent breast-feeding usually helps increase your milk supply within 48 hours. You can also try pumping both breasts for 10 to 15 minutes each after you have just fed your baby. You should notice an increase in your milk supply after 2 to 4 days of the extra pumping. Other factors sometimes affect milk production; however, it is rare to have a true milk deficiency. Contact a lactation consultant if you think your milk supply is too low.