To make breastfeeding successful and comfortable, try to follow just a few simple rules.

Rule 1. Correct grip of the chest

Sometimes it is enough just to see another nursing woman, deftly feeding the breast to the baby, to understand what needs to be done. And sometimes it takes a couple of weeks to master this skill after the arrival of a specialist. There are several visual signs of correct attachment to the breast:

• Your areola (brown circle around the nipple) is in the baby's mouth almost all or at least within a radius of 2- 3 cmfrom the base of the nipple;
• The lips are turned outward, the tongue is visible in the corner of the mouth on the lower lip;
• The chin is firmly pressed against the surface of the mother's breast throughout the entire feeding period;
• The cheeks (or one of them - depending on the position for feeding) lie on the mother's breast - both at the beginning of sucking and after 10, 20, 30 minutes;
• The nose touches the skin of the mother's breast (it is especially important to monitor this towards the end of the feed, when the breast, having been freed from milk, has become softer);
• Rhythmic swallowing is heard for the first few minutes after starting feeding;
• You cannot hear the clattering, smacking sounds characteristic of the baby sucking in air while sucking in the wrong position.

Also an important sign that the baby is breastfeeding correctly is no nipple soreness when sucking.

Rule 2. Comfortable feeding positions

Any feeding position chosen must meet several general requirements:

• The ability to suck in the correct grip. If you are trying to feed your baby the way you feed from a bottle (in a reclining position in your arms, belly up), then it becomes technically impossible to carry out the correct attachment to the breast! When using a pacifier or bottle, in most cases, the baby does not properly grip.

• The baby's torso and face should be in the same plane, turned towards the chest. The situation when the baby's head is turned towards the mother, but does not correspond to the general position of the body, is extremely inconvenient for productive breast emptying. This is a very common mistake when trying to feed a baby lying down: a baby lying on his back must somehow manage to catch his mother's breast, located to the side of him ...
• The arms and legs are "matched", do not dangle or fall out of the mother's hands. The whole baby is, as it were, grouped either by the mother's hugs, or using a diaper or sling.
• And the most important condition: you are comfortable and comfortable! To do this, do not skimp on the purchase of nursing pillows, sling sling, or simply stock up on all kinds of cushions and pillows, ottomans, blankets and diapers. It is necessary to think over at least three options for organizing attachments: sitting, lying and standing.

Rule 3. Feed on demand

Substances that make up milk satisfy many of your baby's needs. The need for food, to quench thirst, help when falling asleep, when emptying, when compensating for the effects of stress. It is the most affordable pain reliever, the best treatment for all diseases. Sucking milk also satisfies the psychological needs of the baby: comfort and safety, the formation of basic trust in the world and the establishment of deep contact with the mother. There is no scientific argument against frequent and prolonged feedings. Key principles for successful breastfeeding:

• The breast is given to the child as often and for as long as he wants;
• It is important to suckle the breast in the correct position, with proper grip on the areola;
• The mother does not offer the baby to suck on foreign oral objects (pacifiers, bottles);
• At night, the infant breastfeeds at the first sign of sleep disturbance (at least 3 times a night);
• Complementary foods are introduced after 6 months.