Model Marriage by Bishop Dag Heward Mills

Breastfeeding

Principles of Breastfeeding

Proper techniques are important for successful breastfeeding. The following principles are
very helpful:

1. Make sure you hold your baby properly so he does not drop out of your hands in
   case you fall asleep while breastfeeding.


2. When breastfeeding, position yourself comfortably. You can even lie down if you
   want to.


3. Hold the baby in such a way that your body is not under strain. This will relieve
   you of all sorts of pains and aches.

While sitting upright, support the baby’s head in the crook of your arm on the side you want
to nurse from. The baby’s body should be lying across your lap and facing toward your chest. Cup
your breast outside the areola (the darker area around the nipple) with your other hand, and use
your arm to pull your baby toward you.^4

The Suckling Reflex

Every child is born with an in-built reflex that makes him turn toward the breast and open his
mouth, and when the nipple touches the roof of his mouth, a suckling reflex is activated.

1. When the baby’s mouth is open, bring him to the breast. Do not try to bend over
   to bring the nipple to the baby. This will make breastfeeding uncomfortable for
   both the mother and the baby. It is important for the mother to be comfortably
   positioned when breastfeeding.


2. When the baby is sleepy, you can get him to open his mouth by lightly stroking
   your nipple across his mouth.


3. The baby should take the nipple into his mouth and as much areola as possible. If
   you nurse with only the nipple in the baby’s mouth, your nipples will become sore
   and the baby will not also get enough to eat. The baby’s ability to latch on to the
   nipple and breastfeed well improves with each feed.


4. Allow the baby to nurse about 10 minutes on the first breast, then switch to the
   other breast and let him continue until he’s done. When the baby is full and has
   finished feeding, he will just drop off the breast himself. Sometimes, the baby
   may fall asleep when feeding even though he is not full. Gently wake him up so
   that he can feed long enough and be full. Never try to just pull your baby off.
   Instead, press down on the breast, and then remove him from the nipple. The next
   time you feed your baby, start with the breast you didn’t start with the first time,
   since the breast you use first gets better drained. If you have trouble remembering
   which goes next, attach a safety pin to your bra on that side.


5. One of the things new mothers are most fearful about is whether or not the baby
   is getting enough to eat. You will know he’s doing fine if: