For Breastfeeding to work as well as possible there are some things to keep in mind. All children are different and you and your child need to get to know each other. When Breastfeeding does not work, there is support and help to get.
Prepare before you begin
Before you start breastfeeding, it is important to have clean hands. To avoid infections, among other things, you should wash your hands before touching the nipples. Make sure you have everything you need within reach, such as a glass of water. Many people become very thirsty when they breastfeed. Strong scents can make breastfeeding more difficult because the baby prefers your smell. Avoid perfume and deodorant that smell a lot.
Contact with the baby during breastfeeding
Pay attention to how the baby is feeling and how he behaves when you breastfeed. Therefore, avoid talking on the phone or doing things that take up too much of your attention. Let it be your and your baby's time. Having eye contact makes the child safe.
Breastfeeding Positions
It can be good to be able to breastfeed in different positions. The most common breastfeeding positions are: sitting, half-sitting and lying down. Feel free to try your hand at finding what feels comfortable for you and your child.
Person sitting and breastfeeding enlarge the image
Seated Breastfeeding
Person half-sitting and breastfeeding. Enlarge the image
Half-seated breastfeeding
Person lying and breastfeeding Enlarge image
Lying breastfeeding
Seated breastfeeding
Sit upright and comfortable on a chair, in an armchair or on a sofa with a backrest. You should be able to have your feet on the floor. You can place pillows behind your back if you need extra support to be able to sit upright.
Many who sit down and breastfeed need to support the baby to get a good position. You can use sturdy pillows, a rolled-up blanket or a so-called breastfeeding pillow that is available for purchase.
Half-seated breastfeeding
Sit back. Your upper body should be in the middle between sitting and lying down. You can use pillows to put under your head and your upper body. The baby lies on you with its head between your breasts, or on one breast.
This breastfeeding position allows the baby to get close to your body and can be especially good in the beginning, when the baby is newborn. The child is close to you without you having to control him so much.
Lying breastfeeding
Lie on one side. Have one or two pillows under your head so that you lie comfortably. Pull your lower arm up slightly so that the baby's head is flat and not on your arm.
Lay the baby on its side, with the baby's stomach facing you. The baby should lie so that her chest comes below your breast. Try to place the baby's lower arm under your breast so that the baby gets as close to you as possible.
This is how the child gets the right grip
The baby must have the right grip around the nipple from the beginning. The baby needs to have a large enough grip on the breast. In this way, the baby empties the breast more efficiently and milk production increases. A proper hold of the breast reduces the risk of sore nipples and milk congestion.
Help the child
Here's how to help your child get it right:
Hold your child close to you and face you. The baby's head should not be turned in any direction. However, the head may be slightly tilted back.
Let the baby's nose be at the level of your nipple. Then the baby's chin ends up in the breast when the baby grabs and the nose comes free. This applies regardless of which breastfeeding position you choose.
Wait until the baby yawns really big. When he does, you bring the baby even closer to the breast and let him take a long time. You can touch the baby's cheek with the nipple. Then the baby turns to the chest and begins to search and buff.
The first sighs may hurt, but after a while it should pass. If it continues to hurt, remove the baby and start over.
A big enough time
Here's how to see if the baby has a big enough grip on the breast:
The baby's lips are unfolded.
The baby has a large part of the wart in its mouth, not just the nipple.
The nipple should end up far into the back palate of the baby.
No slamming sounds are heard.
The baby should not pinch or bite the nipple.
When the baby sucks for a long time, the muscles move around the temple.
The nipple should be round and straight after breastfeeding. It should look like before the baby started eating.
The child has the wrong grip
Here's how to tell if your child is not big enough:
It hurts all the time when the baby sucks. It is common for it to hurt a little just when the baby starts to suck, but it should not last more than a short while.
The child sucks in the children.
The baby releases the breast almost immediately and continues to search and yawn. Sometimes the child becomes impatient and screams.
The nipple is flat or oblique after breastfeeding.
An edge has formed on the nipple.
You should not let the baby suck with the wrong grip. It gives you trouble and can lead to less milk being formed.
The baby has difficulty getting hold of the nipples
When the breasts are so tense that the baby has difficulty grasping, you can first hand-milk from a little milk. Then the breast becomes softer.
If you have flat or inverted nipples, you can massage them with your fingertips first so that they rise. Then it may be easier for the child to get hold of. You can also try to get the nipple out with the help of a breast pump. But many babies suck so hard that they get hold of it no matter what the nipple looks like. Sometimes it can help to use a breastfeeding pacifier.
The baby begins to suck
When the baby has had a good time, he begins to suck. The baby first sucks with short, quick strokes to make the milk start to flow out. Then it is common for children to start sucking with slow and powerful strokes. Then they often rest for a few seconds before starting to suck again.
The baby often releases the breast and takes a break when he has ingested the milk he needs. After a while, most children continue to suck, but it can vary from child to child.
When the baby does not have the right suction
Let the child try again if he has not had a good time. To get the baby to let go of the nipple, you can gently insert a finger into the baby's mouthpiece. The nipple can become irritated if you pull the baby loose.
Sometimes it can take some time for the milk to get started
It is the hormone Oxytocin that causes the milk to start flowing out of the breasts. The hormone is sensitive to stress. It may therefore take longer for the milk to come out if you are tired, sad or anxious.
It may help to relax for a while before breastfeeding. You can also take a hot shower and lightly stroke your chest to start the release of the Oxytocin.
When the baby does not start sucking
Sometimes the baby may not start sucking even if it is lying on the breast. To attract the baby, you can squeeze some milk on the nipple. If you have tried many times without success, you can let the baby suck on one of your fingers for a while. Then try with the chest again.
Breastfeed on one or both breasts
For some children, breastfeeding on one breast may be sufficient, while other children need to be breastfed on both breasts at the same time. It depends on how much milk is produced. For example, some children breastfeed on one breast in the morning but want both in the evening.
Let the baby finish sucking on the first breast until he lets go or falls asleep. Then offer the other breast if the baby wants to suck more.
It is good to let the baby start sucking every other time on the left and right breasts, respectively. Then the milk production is about the same in both breasts.
Good if the child gets the opportunity to belch and haggle
A lot is going on in the stomach and intestines of a newborn baby, and it is only natural that the baby gets gas.
You can help the baby by holding him upright after breastfeeding. Putting the baby over a shoulder often helps him to belch and fart, which is good because some of the air in the stomach then comes out. You can also gently pat the tail and caress the head and back so that the baby relaxes.
Breastfeed if you have had breast surgery
It is usually possible to breastfeed after you have had breast surgery. It may take longer to start breast-feeding if you have had a breast reduction than if you have had a breast augmentation.
Grandma twins
It takes longer to breastfeed two children, but with good help, most people usually come up with a solution that works. But before you get to know your children and have good routines, it can feel difficult to have time to feed both children and at the same time get the rest you need.
In the beginning, it can be good to breastfeed one child at a time, partly to get to know each child separately, and partly because it is then easier to learn the breastfeeding technique. Before leaving BB, you should have tried to breastfeed both children at the same time. Especially in the beginning, it can be very stressful for one child to scream when you engage in the other. Then it can be reassuring to know that you can breastfeed both children at the same time.
Important with a good breastfeeding position
Most people who breastfeed twins find it easier to find a good breastfeeding position with the help of pillows. When both children are breastfeeding at the same time, you can place the children's heads against each other, and have your body and feet under each of your arms. You can also place the children next to each other in the same direction.
Some give their twins either breast milk or breast milk substitute, others give both. The conditions at the start can look different. For example, it may be more difficult to start breastfeeding if one or both children need to be cared for in another ward for the very first time.
Advice and support
It can take time to start breastfeeding and make it work. It is not uncommon for it to take up to a month or longer before breastfeeding feels safe. Then it is good with support, both from relatives and from healthcare staff. The sooner you seek help, the greater the chance of making breastfeeding work.
You can contact BVC or one of the breastfeeding clinics in some places if you need support. You can contact many receptions by logging in.
The first week after the baby is born, you can also contact BB. It is also possible to get help through Breastfeeding Aid, a non-profit association that provides support to those who want to breastfeed their children.
You must understand the information
For you to be active in your care and make decisions, you must understand the information you receive from the care staff. Ask questions if you do not understand. You can also ask to have the information printed out so that you can read it in peace.
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