How to Breastfeed

If you are expecting a baby soon, or have just given birth, you are probably both excited and nervous about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is an excellent way to bond with your baby and enjoy quality time together. In addition, studies have consistently shown that breastfeeding has a number of health benefits for your baby,http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/ and is a natural and an inexpensive way to provide your baby with sustenance. Read on to learn more about how to nourish your baby.

While a completely natural process, getting started with breastfeeding can be challenging. Many moms encounter problems with latching--the process of getting a baby to properly take the nipple and draw milk out of the breast, and many mothers find difficulties with nipple tenderness. These issues, along with others, ca cause mothers to become discouraged from the breastfeeding process. But with the right help, most mothers can successfully breastfeed. This guide will walk you through how to breastfeed.

Feedings can take as long as 40 minutes, so it is essential that you are in a comfortable position for nursing.http://www.babycenter.com/0_breastfeeding-getting-started_465.bc?showAll=true

1. Sit up in an armchair or in bed, or in the corner of your sofa.
2. Make use of pillows.
   1. Put them behind your back, under the elbow in which your baby is resting and under the baby itself.
   2. Nursing pillows can be extremely helpful.
3. Put your feet on a low stool in front of you to help raise your knees. You can also put additional pillows under your knees to help.http://www.babyzone.com/baby/feeding_nutrition/breastfeeding/photos_how_to_breastfeed/2

In order for nursing to be successful, your baby must also feel comfortable.

1. Hold your baby on its side, with his or her entire body facing you.
2. Place the baby close to your breast - you don't want to be leaning down and you don't want the baby to have to strain to reach your nipple in any way.
3. Make sure that your baby's stomach is touching yours.

Once you and the baby are well-positioned, you can start actually nursing.

1. Put your thumb and forefinger around your breast in a "C" shape, squeezing gently. Keep your fingers far back on the breast, so you can help your baby latch on properly to your breast.http://www.babyzone.com/baby/feeding_nutrition/breastfeeding/photos_how_to_breastfeed/4
2. Let the baby's head tilt back just a little and rub your nipple across the baby's lips, with the goal being to get the baby to open its mouth wide.
3. Once the baby opens its mouth, pull the baby onto your breast, lower jaw first. Then tilt the baby's head forward and make sure his or her upper jaw gets placed on the breast in such a way that your entire nipple and most of your areola are in the baby's mouth.http://www.fitpregnancy.com/yournewlife/breastfeeding/how-to-breastfeed-40723877.html
4. After the baby is properly latched on to your breast, the natural sucking instincts should kick in.
5. After feeding baby, gently cleanse the nipple with water and cotton ball and put a breast pad inside your bra. There are disposable ones and there are the washable kind that are more form fitting.http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/breastfeedinginfo/bb/aa101502a.htm
6. If you started feeding baby from your right breast this feeding, then the next feeding start feeding baby from your left breast. This will prevent breast engorgement--from improper emptying of the breast.