How long after anesthesia can I breastfeed?

Do not breastfeed within a few hours after the anesthesia, generally 4 to 6 hours, because after 4 to 6 hours, the anesthetic can be completely metabolized in the body, and breastfeeding at this time will not have any impact on the child. In addition, before breastfeeding, the milk in the body should be squeezed out. At this time, you should drink more water to speed up the body's metabolism. After these treatments, there will be no impact on the baby.

Breastfeeding methods for newborns

The correct breastfeeding method is to place the thumb and the other four fingers of one hand on the upper and lower parts of the breast respectively, and lift the breast into a straight cone shape. The baby must be closely attached to the breast with the head and shoulders facing the breast. When breastfeeding, the mother must relax her body, lean forward slightly, support the baby's neck and back with the base of her palm, and support the baby's head with four fingers. When breastfeeding, you should hold your baby up and feed him/her both during the day and at night. The empty side of the breast will drain the juice to better stimulate the mammary gland to secrete more. Wash the nipple before feeding, squeeze out a few drops, and then let the baby feed.

In the baby's latching position, touch the nipple lightly to the baby's lips. When the baby's mouth opens wide, place the nipple and areola into the baby's mouth. The baby's lips should cover the nipple and areola or most of the areola, with the chin pressed against the breast. If the baby does not open his mouth, the lips need to be stimulated with the nipple. When the mouth opens wide, the mother quickly puts the nipple into the mouth.

At the end of breastfeeding, use your index finger to gently press down on the baby's lower jaw to avoid pulling out the nipple due to negative pressure in the mouth, which may cause nipple pain or skin damage.

If the milk is exhausted, the milk should be expressed. The method is: place the thumb on the areola and the other four fingers on the opposite side, and squeeze toward the chest wall rhythmically; relax and repeatedly rotate the position of the fingers around the areola to empty the milk in each mammary duct.

Breastfeeding positions for your baby:

1. Cradle holding method: Use the inside of the mother's elbow to support the baby's head, so that his abdomen is close to the mother's body, and use the other hand to support the breast. Because only a small portion of the breast is exposed, breastfeeding will be more effective if you lift it out.

Advantages: Usually the easiest position to learn; the position most parents use most.

2. Cross-cradle hold: Same position as the cradle support method, but this time use the opposite arm so that you can support the baby's head with your hand and the body with your forearm. This way the mother can have more control over the direction of the baby's head.

Advantages: Using the hands to support the back of the neck provides better control of the baby's head than using the forearms; especially effective when used to breastfeed premature babies or babies who have difficulty latching on.

3. Side-lying holding method: The mother can lie on her side on the bed, with the baby's face facing the mother, and rest the baby's head on the crook of her arm so that his mouth and nipple remain level. Support your back with pillows. This is also a good position if you are post-cesarean section.

Advantages: Easy to rest while breastfeeding; most comfortable for women with episiotomy or tear pain or hemorrhoid pain