Breastfeeding

The child faces the breast while on one side so that the ear, shoulder, and hip joint are in a straight line, close and facing the mother, and supported from behind.

·        Common Positions: Cradle hold, Cross-cradle hold, Side-lying position, Underarm (football) hold.

Good Attachment to the Breast:

The mother is directed to embrace her child so that their nose faces her nipple. This triggers the rooting reflex, and the lips part to take in the areola from below with a wide-open mouth. Here, the baby's head should be pushed toward the areola so that it enters the mouth toward the back of the palate, with the child's chin touching and pressing against the breast, and the lips turned outward.

Breastfeeding on Demand:

·        Means breastfeeding whenever the child desires or shows readiness to breastfeed, whether day or night, or if the mother also desires (if she feels her breasts are full).

·        The mother should start breastfeeding her child when the child shows a desire to feed by making sucking movements, moving the hand to the mouth, or looking restless and fidgety, without waiting until they cry.

·        Advantages of on-demand breastfeeding:

o   Fewer problems like breast engorgement.

o   Faster and increased milk production.

o   Faster and increased infant weight gain.

o   Easier habituation to breastfeeding.

o   Increased affection between mother and child.

·        To achieve this, Rooming-in must be practiced (keeping the mother and child together day and night).