Top 5 Breastfeeding Tips with Breastfeeding Specialist Geraldine Miskin

There are some simple breastfeeding tips that can make feeding enjoyable and sustainable and it starts with how you position and latch your baby. When you get this right, breastfeeding can be pretty straightforward.

I want to let you in on some of my top breastfeeding tips and why they work so that you feel empowered and equipped from the first feed.

 

1) Breastfeeding Positions: Get Comfortable

 

Feeds typically last for 45 – 60 minutes at a time and babies like to feed often in the early days, so comfort is super important. Common breastfeeding challenges are often caused as a simple result of baby being positioned too high or too low.

 

 

As a rule, if you are using a firm feeding cushion, you want to ensure that there is 2 fingers width between the base of your breast and the cushion to allow for baby’s lower arm to wrap around you. If you already have a special cushion, try it out on your chairs or sofa before baby arrives so that you have a good idea of where you’ll feel most comfortable.

And of course, make sure to have a great selection of comfy nursing clothes to wear which allow easy access for breastfeeding – Seraphine have fantastic options.

 

2) The Perfect Breastfeeding Latch

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Looking at the breast, it’s easy to believe that your nipple is the most important bit to get into baby’s mouth. However, it is the areola, brown bit around your nipple that is more important. In particular, the areola close to baby’s lower lip. The more areola your baby scoops up, the more comfortable the latch is for you and the more milk your baby gets.

 

Breastfeeding tips: Seraphine maternity bra & robe

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In order to get the right amount and bit of the breast into baby’s mouth, you want to line your baby’s nose up with your nipple. Try this illustration. Pretend you’re a baby and your thumbnail is a nipple. Placing your thumb in a thumbs up position, line the tip of your nose up with the nipple, and notice where your lower lip is. Keeping your thumb in place, open your mouth and pop your thumb into your mouth and give it a suck. You’ll notice that it feels quite comfortable and that your thumbnail (would be nipple) is right at the back and out of harm’s way.

When you get this right, breastfeeding is much better for you and baby.

 

3) Be Confident That Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk

 

The most satisfactory way to know that your baby is getting enough milk, especially in the first week when your breasts feel empty or like there’s nothing there, is to monitor what comes out. Yes, I’m talking about your baby’s poos and whilst they probably don’t sound exciting now, just you wait until you see what baby has in store.

 


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Your baby has the most fantastic poo display in the early days, moving from black (meconium), to green, to brown, orange and yellow by day 10. Allocate 3 days for black poos then 2 days for each colour thereafter. If your baby’s poos track the poo colour spectrum, baby is getting enough milk. If they are slow to change, baby needs more time on the breast/s and if they are quick to change, you know that your baby is ahead of the game and doing really well.

 

4) Embrace Your Uniqueness

 

Breastfeeding tips can be a bit stiff, especially if they are not tailored to suit you and your baby. Different feeding patterns suit different mums and babies. Whilst you are finding your feet, follow your instinct and your baby, monitor output and your baby’s weight gain as this never lies.

 

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As a rule, you can expect your baby to lose 10% of birth weight by day 5 which we want baby to regain between week 2 and 3. After this, we want to see a weekly average weight gain of 210g or 7oz. If baby gains less, you need to feed more and if baby gains more, you can stick with what you are doing, or take the pressure off yourself and be confident that you and baby are doing just fine.

 

5) Find Your Breastfeeding Routine

 

It all starts with you, so decide what you’d like to achieve and find out how to do it before your baby arrives. If by nature you like routine, follow a routine loosely to start with until you and baby carve one out that works well for both of you. If you don’t like structure, don’t bother with a routine. Either way is fine provided it works for you and baby.

 

Geraldine Miskin is a breastfeeding specialist with years of experience helping mums and babies find what works for them. Visit her site Geraldinemiskin.com for more breastfeeding tips, and to find out about her 1 to 1 consultations, over skype or at your home, and discover her new book Breastfeeding Made Easy – The Miskin Method.

Breastfeeding: Seraphine’s Top Five Tips for Preparing to Nurse

The first months at home bonding with your newborn baby are incredibly special, and choosing to breastfeed can be a truly rewarding experience. We’ve put together a list of our top breastfeeding tips to help you prepare to nurse your little one.

 

1) Put together a breastfeeding kit

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At some point during your third trimester, it’s a great idea to put together a breastfeeding kit complete with everything you might need while you and your little one are latched.

Make sure you have a refillable water bottle and plenty of snacks to keep you going. A chic breastfeeding cover is perfect for nursing on-the-go. Pack muslins and baby nail clippers for the little one, nursing pads and nipple cream for afterwards, and something to keep you occupied – a smartphone or iPad loaded up with something to binge watch is ideal.

 

2. Prepare a Capsule Nursing Clothes Closet

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It’s a great idea to start preparing your nursing clothes during your third trimester – that way you’ll be ready to go once your baby is born! A good collection of comfy nursing bras in soft natural fabrics is an absolute must, while stylish nursing tops, jumpers and nursing dresses will make your life easier through those all-important first months.

 

3. Try Different Breastfeeding Positions

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It takes time and a little experimentation to figure out the most comfortable breastfeeding position for you and your baby. That being said, it can help to vary your routine. Each position puts pressure on a different part of your nipple, so changing it up regularly can help to prevent sore nipples and clogged ducts.

 

4. Skin to Skin Contact

If possible, spending time with your newborn skin to skin immediately after birth is the ideal way to begin your breastfeeding journey. Newborns are alert after birth, and should naturally seek out the breast on their own.

 

 5) Kick back and relax

Slip into something comfortable, put on some soothing music and settle into enjoying this special time bonding with your baby. We know that it isn’t always a smooth ride at the beginning, but the more relaxed you feel, the easier your milk will flow.

 

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