Breastfeeding 101

" -Hi everybody I'm Julie, welcome to Baby Basics. One of the biggest misconceptions about breastfeeding is that it comes naturally to every woman and that your baby will just latch right on to your breast and start feeding right away. Well, for some women it can be difficult in the beginning, but don't feel defeated, you can do this. If your patient and get the support you need, your baby will be thriving on your breast milk in no time at all."

" So, a lactation consultant gives us some important advice that may make getting started a whole lot easier."

" -Jessica, it seems like the baby is kinda hungry."

" -Uh huh. So?"

" -Jessica is a brand new mom to a 3-week-old Luna and she is really starting to get the hang of nursing, but she needs a little help with how to hold her baby during the feedings."

" -Were gonna start with the cross cradle position."

" -Lactation consultant, Stacey Brosnan uses plenty of pillows and knows just how to position little Luna"

" to make the feeding go much more smoothly."

" -So, I'm gonna help you to tuck the baby's arm underneath. That's right. Now, cup your breast using the C-hold. Right. Okay. Line her up nose to nipple with you to, tickle her lower lip and when she opens wide, bring her in. Nice, nice."

" -Yeah."

" -Luna latches right on."

" -So, now how this position feel to you?"

" -Its very comfortable."

" -But Luna starts to slide off the nipple a bit, nursing just on the end."

" -You don't want her to be on the end of the nipple. You rather be---- have her deeply"

" on to the breast. So that she's covering a good portion of the areola."

" -Take a look at how Stacey gently pulls Luna's lower lip down, just a bit."

" -That's what we're looking for because if her lips are out against the breast she can get a good mouthful milk."

" -One question many new moms have is how do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?"

" -Once you latch the baby on, you should listen for that nice gulping sound, you know that audible swallowing."

" If a baby is doing at least about 15 to 20 minutes of audible swallowing during the feeding, chances are they're getting a sufficient amount of milk."

" -Another good way to know your baby is getting enough breast milk."

" -What goes in must come out. So, a baby should have at least 6 to 8 wet diapers a day; really soaked wet diapers----"

" -Okay."

" -and at least 3 to 4 really good mustard-colored curry stools. Okay, Jessica now"

" were gonna practice the football hold just to give you a variety."

" -This hold is great for small babies and moms with larger breast."

" -Your hand position is right behind the baby's neck and shoulders, just move this, and then your arm comes right along her spine, just like you have. Right. She's in nice and close and just like we did in the other position, you can use the elbow to pull her butt nice and close to you, which angles the chin into the breast and the nose up off the top of the breast."

" -Some moms prefer this variation"

" of the football hold. Here, Luna is almost sitting up right."

" -You're gonna face front and you're gonna hold her and just bring her straight on. There you go. There you go. Sitting straight up in this position, the inner ear is stimulated and they tend to stay awake a little bit longer."

" -One thing that sometimes confuses new moms is how to know when to switch breast. You should start on one breast and listen for swallowing, about 15 to 20 minute into the feeding when your baby starts to slow down a little, take her off, burp her, and offer the other breast."

" She may or may not want more."

" -Those especially in the beginning, many babies don't demand to be fed frequently enough to get the nutrition they need."

" -So, Stacey says it's helpful to have a schedule. She recommends feeding your new born 8 to 12 times a day in a 24 hour period. A breastfed baby needs to eat approximately every 2 to 3 hours during the day and shouldn't go longer than 3 to 4 hours between feedings at night."

" -That's look really good. How does it feel?"

" -Just great."

" -But it doesn't always feel great when"

" you're just starting to breastfed. Stacey says your nipples maybe sore at first, but you shouldn't be in pain."

" -I'm talking about searing pain; I'm talking about cracked bleeding nipples, but just soreness. That shouldn't persist more than maybe say 2 or 3 days. If you are experiencing real pain when the baby latches on and it persist throughout the feeding, or say your nipples are cracked and bleeding, then I would say its time to seek help from a professional."

" -You can always call a lactation consultant"

" or a nurse for advice. It maybe something as simple as suggesting how your baby is latching on. Finally, how do you know when your baby has had enough?"

" -See now how she came off the breast herself?"

" -Uh huh."

" -and she seems so relaxed, you know, that's the sign of a really good feeding, when the baby comes off and just so to lay its back in that relax state."

" -The most important thing is not to get discouraged and don't compare yourself to other mothers. Most moms say"

" breast feeding gets easier as time goes on and once you figure out what works best for you and your baby, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both of you. Need more advice on how to care for your new born, check out our other informative Baby Basics videos. Also, if you want some information on any of the fabulous furniture you saw on our nursery, go to egiggle.com. Thanks for watching Baby Basics on Parents TV, your source for the best information for your growing family."