Breastfeeding latching on properly & tips to maintain your milk supply

Breastfeeding trouble shooting, how do you make sure your baby is latching on properly and tips to maintain your milk supply? What can you do if your baby expels most of the milk?

Good positioning of yourself and baby will always be the key to smooth attachment. This is important because if baby is attached properly, drains the breast well, then your milk supply will be maintained. Position yourself so you are comfortable and relaxed.

GOOD ATTACHMENT:

· Feels comfortable with no pain
· Feels like a drawing or pulling sensation inside the breast when baby sucks.
· Looks like the baby has a wide open mouth full of breast tissue.
· Is when baby sucks there is no dimpling of the cheeks & jaw movement is deep & rhythmic.
· Is when baby comes off the breast the shape of mother's nipple will remain unchanged but be longer in length.

EFFECTIVE FEEDING:

· Is when an audible swallow or soft breathe sound is heard (soft click).
· Is when colostrum is present a baby will swallow every few sucks.
· Is when the "milk is in" and the baby should be heard to swallow with every suck.
· Baby will start sucking with quick jaw movements, then the rhythm will slow with deep jaw movements and you will hear swallowing. Baby will take short breaks, this is polite eating, like you putting your knife & fork down for a rest then the sucking and swallowing will start again.
· If the cheeks are sucked in or you hear a clicking, then attachment is poor. Reattach.
· Once baby gains mastery of their feeding skills and neck control they can attach without help.
· Babies will stop feeding when they want to. Give them a rest as this is usually first course.
· If your breast feels like there is more milk, offer the same breast again. This way you are letting baby get to the dessert portion of the meal - hindmilk. Also this cares for your milk supply and breast comfort.
· Good breast drainage helps with milk supply and preventing mastitis. Baby can have the other breast if still hungry.

Babies that have good attachment and feed effectively usually sleep, gain weight and are contented. Also good attachment helps in preventing nipple pain, engorgement, mastitis and milk supply issues.As guide, if you can answer yes to these simple questions, you can feel confident that your baby is getting enough milk.
· Is baby alert and responding to you when awake?
· Has baby bright eyes and the skin is firm?
· Has baby very wet nappies at least equal to the number of feeds you give them? feeding 6 times a day = 6 wet nappies, 8 - 10 feeds/day = 8 - 10 wet nappies
· Are baby's bowel motions soft and regular?
· Is baby content and sleeping?
· Is baby gaining weight?

If you at all concerned with baby's attachment or feeding find a health professional who will watch a feed.

It is not uncommon that babies posset or vomit at meal times. Remember their stomachs are still small in size and the value to the stomach is weak. As they grow the vomiting usually diminishes.

Sometimes when breastfeeding there is a lot of milk and the letdown is powerful, expressing before baby attaches will help. Handling baby gently after feeding, burping regularly and sitting them up for a short period of time may also help.

If bottle feeding use a slow flow teat, feed with regular breaks and check formula preparation so the correct strength is always used. Some babies are getting rid of the excess milk they do not want while for others it is seems to be part of their feeding pattern. Your baby may either want to continue feeding or not after vomiting. Just go slowly and be guided by baby's behaviour.

If you are concerned about baby's vomiting seek medical advice. Do not give any medications unless prescribed by your doctor.

This is an overview of the above topics and a guide only. For more information and if you are at all concerned about your baby or toddler then speak with a health professional or your family doctor. Enjoy them as they grow rapidly.

Ask Tommee Tippee's Midwife Judy a question - www.tommeetippee.com.au/midwife-enquiry.asp