Nervous about breastfeeding? Here are some useful tips

The idea of breastfeeding your newborn baby can be quite frightening. Nobody’s born knowing exactly how to do it, and while some women absolutely love the experience it’s just not the thing for many others.

Give it a try when you are in a quiet and relaxed place and state of mind, but don’t let the idea scare you and you should certainly never feel guilty about it. You, like every other new mother, get to work out how you want to approach breastfeeding on your own terms. We know that whatever decision you make is likely to be best for both you and your child. Here are a few tips to help you get started when you considering breastfeeding:

  1. Timing

    For many women, about twenty minutes is average, but feeds can last between a few minutes and an hour. There are no rules. Go with what feels right for you and your baby.

  2. Burping

    When your baby comes off the breast or is no longer suckling actively, try burping her before offering the other breast – but she may be perfectly satisfied with just one.

  3. Alternate breasts

    Breastfeeding can be quite painful. So it’s a good idea to start each feed on alternate breasts to give your nipples a break. If your baby is not keen, try expressing a few drops of milk onto her lips so that she can smell and taste it.

  4. Engorged breasts

    While feeding her, use your thumb to press your breast out of the way of baby’s nose if you have large or engorged breasts that tend to get in the way a little.

  5. Latching

    Make sure your baby is latching on well to prevent sore nipples. This may take a little bit of practice to get right. While advice from others (including us) may be very useful, you’ll have to do some experimenting to figure out what works best for you.  Baby’s jaws should grasp the areola – not just the nipple, and the nose should be touching your breast while still allowing baby to breathe comfortably.

  6. Position

    Set yourself up in a comfortable and relaxed position. You may want to turn your usual feeding spot into a little haven of quiet and comfort, and you’ll probably want to experiment with different positions to work out which is best.

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