subject: Breastfeeding Tips [print this page] Breastfeeding Tips Breastfeeding Tips
As a woman progresses through the stages of pregnancy, her breasts ready themselves for breastfeeding. From thickening of the nipple area to the creation of mother's milk, nature prepares the mother to properly nourish her baby. It's important to ready one's body for any adverse effects breastfeeding can have as it changes so rapidly.
Preparing the area around the nipple prior to breastfeeding is important for the mother-to-be's comfort. As the area grows and stretches, the breasts can cause great discomfort. To avoid dryness and cracking, the mother should keep the area lubricated with one of many healing ointments made specifically for this purpose. With dry, cracked nipples, it can be difficult for the baby to access mother's milk. Making sure to clean the area after feedings and apply ointment will help keep mother and baby comfortable.
Immediately after birth, mother's breasts will be swollen and sore with excess milk. It's important for her to feed frequently for many reasons. Allowing the baby constant access to milk will allow him or her to learn to latch on and help the mother get used to breastfeeding. Frequent feedings will also keep the breasts producing a constant flow of mother's milk to keep the baby happy and healthy. The usual frequency for breastfeeding is expected to be every 1 to 2 hours. Frequency becomes less as the baby grows. Not every baby feeds the same, so it's important to allow your baby to feed when he's hungry.
There are a variety of positions to allow the baby to access mother's milk easily while keeping both mother and baby safe and comfortable. Popular positions for breastfeeding are side lying, the cradle hold, and the football hold. The most important things to keep in mind are keeping baby's head supported, and both comfortable enough to enjoy the experience. As baby grows, positions will change. Staying in touch with what makes the flow of mother's milk easiest is a good way to ensure proper positioning.
As all mothers experience different things through the stages of pregnancy and nursing, it's important to be aware of the many possibilities. Most often, women will have some discomfort as the body prepares for nourishing the baby. From swollen breasts to dry, cracked nipples, there are many things that can happen to cause the mother pain and discomfort. Breastfeeding is an important part of the ritual of motherhood, so it's a good idea to take care of the area so you can take good care of baby, too.
