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The Nursing Mother's Companion

By Kathleen Huggins, R.N., M.S.

The cross-over hold. Take time to position yourself comfortably. If you are nursing in a hospital bed, sit up as straight as possible with a pillow behind you. As soon as you are able, sit in a chair with arms (most couches are too deep). Place one or two pillows on your lap so that the baby is lying on his side at the level of your breast. Instead of holding his head in the bend of your elbow as in the cradle hold, hold him with the opposite arm, so that your hand rests between the shoulder blades and supports the back of his neck and head. Place your thumb behind and below one ear and your other fingers behind and just below the other. Position the baby's face directly in front of your breast, instead of pushing your breast sideways toward the baby.

If you're starting on the left breast, hold it with your left hand so that your thumb is positioned about 11/2 inches from the nipple, at the spot where the baby's nose will touch the breast, or at about two o'clock if you imagine a clock face printed on the breast. Your index finger should be at the same distance from the nipple, at the spot where the baby's chin will touch the breast, or at about eight o'clock. Compress the breast at the margin of the areola with your thumb and index finger, so that your hand forms almost a U-shape. Compressed this way, your breast should closely match the shape of your baby's mouth, so that he can take in more of the breast. With the baby and breast in position, you are ready to proceed. Your goal is first to stimulate the baby t "root," and then to bring him onto the breast. Touch the baby's lips to your nipple until he opens wide. When he opens his mouth really wide -- and not before -- quickly bring him onto the breast. Do not lean toward the baby; bring his shoulders and head to you. When you pull the baby in, keep the areola compressed until he begins sucking. The two mistakes mothers tend to make is letting go of the breast before the baby is well latched on and not pulling the baby on far enough. You may need to repeat these steps several times before the baby latches on correctly. Once the baby is actively nursing, you'll probably need to support the breast for him, by gently pressing your fingers against the underside. If your breasts are small, though, you may be able to let go of your breast or even switch arms and continue nursing using the cradle hold.