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Home › Articles › Breastfeeding Basics › Precious Moments

Precious Moments

Making the Most of First Nursings

By Melissa Clark Vickers, IBCLC

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Next, think about how you will place your baby at the breast. Your breast is his dinner plate. It needs to be right in front of him, with your nipple at his mouth level. He shouldn't have to turn his head side to side or front to back to reach the nipple. You may need to place a pillow under him to raise him up a bit. Turn him on his side, facing you. This is especially important and is one big difference between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. His tummy should be next to you, and with a tiny newborn, it may actually lie across your other breast. His hip, shoulder and ear should be in a straight line, and one hand should be on either side of your breast.

Cradle your baby in your arm with his head near the bend of your elbow, and his bottom in that hand. Use your other hand to support your breast. Place your thumb on top and cup your fingers underneath, holding the breast well away from the nipple and areola (the dark area around the breast). Tickle your baby's lips with your nipple and wait for him to open WIDE, like he's yawning. Be patient! Anything less than a wide opening can result in him latching on to your nipple rather than the breast – and that hurts!

When he does open wid and his tongue is down, hug him quickly to your breast.


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