Breastfeeding which side to start

It seemed like she could handle the strength of my flow and hold on better in this position. In the upright or koala hold, your baby sits straddling your thigh, or on your hip, with his spine and head upright as he feeds. The upright or koala hold is often the most comfortable breastfeeding position for babies who suffer from reflux or ear infections who often prefer to be upright , and it can also work well with babies who have a tongue-tie or low muscle tone.

This breastfeeding position involves your baby lying on his back, while you crouch over him on all fours and dangle your nipple in his mouth.

Dangle feeding is probably not a breastfeeding position you want to do regularly, but it might just help if you need to mix it up. When we were out I tied a sarong around my neck and draped it over the carrier so it worked as a cover. They would nurse like this until they fell asleep. This method usually works best if your baby is an experienced breastfeeder and can hold his head up by himself.

You can breastfeed in all sorts of slings, including stretchy wraps, ring slings and front carriers. The double rugby ball hold also known as the double clutch is a great breastfeeding position for twins , as you can feed them in tandem while having your hands relatively free. Other breastfeeding positions you could try with twins include two cradles crossed across one another, one twin in a rugby ball hold and one in a cradle hold, and double laid-back or double upright breastfeeding positions.

Your three remaining fingers should continue to support the breast underneath. This hold gives your baby plenty of support and you control over his position, as well as a great view of his latch. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Getty Images. How to get started, how to get comfortable and how to make sure the baby is getting enough to eat when breastfeeding. Back to Top. In This Article.

All About Breastfeeding. Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. View Sources. Breast milk provides complete nutrition for your infant and helps to prevent illness. Babies who do not breastfeed have more ear infections and diarrhea than breastfed babies. There are also benefits for the mother who breastfeeds.

There is less ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis in breastfeeding mothers compared to formula-feeding mothers. With breast milk, there is no wasted formula and no cost. Breastfeeding is convenient because the milk is always ready and at the right temperature. Breast milk is different from formula because it changes to meet the nutritional needs of your child as he grows.

Breast milk contains all the vitamins and minerals your baby needs and is easy to digest. For all of these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be fed only breast milk for the first six months of life.

Babies do not need water, juice or formula. At six months you may offer your baby solid foods, but you should continue to breastfeed until your baby is at least a year old. The first few weeks of breastfeeding, your baby needs to breastfeed frequently to establish your milk supply. Most babies will breastfeed at least eight times in a hour period. Recent research shows that babies usually have 11 breastfeeding sessions per day if you count feedings on each breast separately.

The actual number can range from 7 to 19 sessions daily when each breast is counted as a feeding. The key to successful breastfeeding is the way you position and latch your baby onto the breast. The baby needs to be facing the breast. For correct latch-on, your baby needs to open his mouth wide enough to take both the nipple and some of the areola the dark area around the nipple into his mouth. Support your breast with your hand during the feeding.

Encourage your newborn to breastfeed at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Small, frequent feeds ensure that your baby takes in all the milk he needs—the more you nurse, the more milk you will make.

Colostrum This concentrated milk produced in the first few days clears meconium first poo , reduces jaundice and is rich in antibodies to protect your baby against infection. Learn to breastfeed comfortably Getting your baby latched on well to the breast is the key. Get yourself comfortable and well supported. Keep your breast at its natural level. Hold your baby so his whole front is close against yours, wrapped around or along your body. That will help him open his mouth wide and get a deep, comfortable latch.

Seek skilled help early on if you are finding breastfeeding difficult or uncomfortable. Allow him to take a full feed There is no need to time each breastfeed—he will let you know he has had enough by letting go or falling asleep. Offer the other breast if he wants it. Watch for signs he is hungry Wriggling or fidgeting, rooting head turning and fist sucking are all early signs of hunger. Offer a breastfeed while he is still calm—crying is a late sign of hunger.

Just like you, he will be hungrier and thirstier at some times of the day than at others. More information about sleepy babies.

Watch for signs he is getting enough milk After your milk comes in Listen for swallowing during feeds. Seek skilled help if your baby seems constantly unsettled, even after a long breastfeed. Encourage a sleepy baby to feed actively 10 to 12 times in 24 hours. Hold him more and encourage latching on when awake and during periods of light sleep. Is My Baby Getting Enough milk?