The correct way to breastfeed your baby

As a newborn, you should learn the correct way to suck milk. As a parent, you should pay attention to this aspect. There are many correct ways for babies to suck milk, such as hugging and cradle, which can help the baby to suck milk smoothly. If the method is inappropriate, it will not only cause problems with breastfeeding, but also easily cause spitting up, and it will also have an adverse effect on the mother's breasts.

The correct way to breastfeed your baby

1. Hug type:

This method is also called the cradle pose. It is the easiest pose to learn and the most commonly used pose.

The mother can sit on a chair, or half-lying on the bed, with a soft cushion against her back, and a cushion or pillow under her elbows and in her arms for support. She can raise her legs and bend her knees. This will make her feel more relaxed and help her relax muscles throughout her body and keep herself in a good mood. Hold the baby in your arms, place the baby's little head on your elbow, wrap your arms around the baby, support the baby's little butt, let the baby's whole body lean on the mother's arms, and let the baby's height be level with the mother's breasts.

2. Cross cradle method:

This position is actually similar to the hugging position, except that the arms supporting the baby are the opposite of the hugging position. If the baby is lying with his head on the right in the mother's arms, use your left hand to support the baby's buttocks, and vice versa. The arms support the baby's back and the palms hold the baby's head. This posture is more suitable for premature babies and makes it easier for the mother to control the baby's little head.

3. Football Hold:

This way of holding is suitable if the mother has large breasts or inverted or flat nipples. Place the baby on one side of the mother's body, and the mother supports the baby's head with the forearm on the same side, holding the baby's neck and head with her hand, and supporting the breast with the other hand. This makes it easy to observe whether the baby has firmly grasped the nipple so as to form effective breastfeeding.

4. Side-lying hug method:

This is a relatively easy way of holding the baby. It is suitable for mothers who have just undergone a cesarean section as it can prevent the baby from pressing on the wound. The mother lies on her side in bed, facing the baby. Then rest your head on your arms so that your baby's mouth is level with your nipple. Support your baby's back with the forearm of your other arm and support your baby's head with your hand. This method allows the mother to rest while the baby is breastfeeding, which is beneficial for the mother's postpartum recovery.

It should be noted that when the mother's body has almost recovered, it is best to change to another breastfeeding method. Because this feeding method is very suitable for babies over three months old, but it should be used with caution for babies under three months old, as some babies will increase the chance of spitting up milk because of this.

In addition, babies under three months old have very weak head and neck strength. Once the mother falls asleep while breastfeeding, the breast blocks the baby's mouth and nose, and the baby does not have enough strength to avoid it, an accident due to suffocation may occur. Only when the baby is 4 months old will he have the ability to raise his head to avoid, push away the mother's breast with his hands, or wake the mother up with body movements, so mothers should pay attention.