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Common Breastfeeding Positions
Common Breastfeeding PositionsPg 1TranscriptIn the first weeks after your baby is born, it may feel like you are always breastfeeding. You willspend a lot of time feeding and bonding with your baby so make sure you are comfortable whileyou do it. There are some ways to hold your baby that will make feeding easier for both you andyour baby.Shortly after delivery, you may choose the laid-back hold. Babies lying on their mother’s chest rightafter birth can seek out the nipple and begin to breastfeed on their own.“Take your breast with that hand and kind of direct him a little bit so he’s got 1 hand hereand 1 hand here and he can find the breast sort of by himself. Oh, great, he’s doing it.”Lie back in a reclining position and place your baby on your stomach, tummy to tummy. To make itmore comfortable for you, adjust the direction your baby’s feet are pointing.“We might want to tweak his position as if we have him come across your body a little bitmore so that he can use this hand to push up a little bit. Let’s put him up here and we cansee him trying. Very good.”In this position, your baby may find your nipple on his own, or you may need to guide him.“In the early days, letting him find his own way feels nice for him.”If you’ve had a cesarean delivery, the football hold may be the most comfortable. Just as youwould hold a football, tuck your baby’s body between your body and your arm.“You are going to want to turn him towards you.”A pillow can be placed underneath your baby for support.“The nice thing about this position is you get so much great eye contact with your baby. Hecan really look at you. And talking to him while he’s nursing is great.”“Oh my good baby. Oh, my sweet guy.”While you and your baby are still getting used to latching on, the cross-cradle hold may be a goodposition for you both. In this position you can hold your breast with one hand while your baby’shead rests in the palm of your other hand, giving you more control to guide him to your breast.“I’d like you to keep your left hand where it is, thumb up on top and fingers cupping thebreast and supporting it below. And I’m going to take my hand away and I’m going to haveyou slide your hand up under mine. And then you hug him to your body, just like that.”Support your baby with your hand under his neck by his ears and pull him to your nipple.“I like this position because you have good control of your breast and nice support for yourbaby.”This program is for informational purposes only; for all health related issues please contact your healthcareprovider. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this videofor medical decision making. ob_10015_96 ©Milner-Fenwick, Inc.Common Breastfeeding PositionsPg 2As you and your baby become more comfortable with feeding, you can use the cradle hold. In thishold, cradle your baby’s head in the crook of your arm. Let your baby’s back rest on your forearmand hold his buttocks in the palm of your hand. Sit upright and use a pillow to bring your baby up toyour chest level. Some women find putting their feet on a stepstool helpful. Don’t lean over yourbaby. These tips will help prevent backaches.And finally, the side-lying position allows you to rest while your child feeds. Lie in a bed side-byside with your baby facing you. This position is helpful if you’ve had a cesarean delivery, or anepisiotomy. But make sure you don’t fall asleep with your baby in this position, or any position.Always put your baby in his crib or bassinette to sleep after feeding.Whatever position you find most comfortable for you and your baby, remember when you’renursing, your baby should always face your nipple.“I love this position that you’re using because you have tummy to tummy, chest to breast,that’s how babies nurse the best.”His ears, shoulders and hips should be in good alignment. And his nose, cheeks and chin shouldbe touching your breast.“I see ears moving. I see chin and cheeks touching. You are supporting very nicely. It looksvery nice.”Go ahead and try different positions for you and your baby. You may find you have more controlusing one hold or another. And when you find the right hold or holds for you and your baby you canrelax, settle in and enjoy the time it takes to feed your baby.This program is for informational purposes only; for all health related issues please contact your healthcareprovider. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this videofor medical decision making. ob_10015_96 ©Milner-Fenwick, Inc.
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