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Babies: 0 - 3 Months
Breastfeeding Position to Change Your Life!
I wasn't going to share this - too long - but then I saw someone looking for some support so here goes:??So I'm not sure if I've mentioned this but my MIL's niece is a Doula and LC out on the west coast. She was in town this weekend as her second son is joining his older brother at the University of Toronto and we all got together for brunch today.
She asked if she could show me a nursing position that I would find significantly easier than the Cross Cradle which I've been doing.
The position is a Baby-Led Reclined Nursing position and is great for women with a fast let down that often overwhelms the baby in addition to those of us looking for something more comfortable.
Basically, you drop down your top instead of lifting up, recline back in a chair with baby on your chest between your boobs up high.
Baby will naturally seek to descend to the breast if hungry - it's a reflex.
The goal is to have baby lying across your chest on his/her own facing slightly upward at an angle across the nipple though s/he will move around the nipple to access different ducts for more milk. If you are feeding on your left breast you will use your left hang and press down on the upper back/shoulder of the baby's right side. This will help the baby to position his/her head so that their nose is free to breathe but other than that, you leave the baby to do what comes natural.
The self-latching is significantly less painful (until you and baby get used to this). Because baby is nursing up, they don't fight the breast (which is an attempt to hang on or cling to you - left over primate reflex). Luke simply wrapped one hand under and around me and then rested his other one on top of my breast. He latched on and literally did not unlatch for ten minutes. The natural ebb and flow of nursing between let downs and breaks happened and I just leaned back and enjoyed a conversation with family. I didn't have to intervene or think about positioning, how tired I was getting, how cramped or uncomfortable I was or even burp him. When Luke needed to burp he simply pulled himself off the nipple burped a few times and then put himself back on. I kid you not.
When he seemed to fall asleep, I waited a few minutes and then pulled him back up onto my upper chest. He dozed there for ten minutes and then seemed ready for more so I switched breasts and he began again.
I kid you not, he fell asleep easier, faster and for longer and when I got home tonight I repeated and voila. Less gas, happier baby and he's conked out now. Did I mention that you can lie back and watch tv, surf, have a glass of wine, put your feet up?
Seriously, changed my life. Now granted, in public, I won't be able to nurse this way but it will be something I do whenever possible.
She asked if she could show me a nursing position that I would find significantly easier than the Cross Cradle which I've been doing.
The position is a Baby-Led Reclined Nursing position and is great for women with a fast let down that often overwhelms the baby in addition to those of us looking for something more comfortable.
Basically, you drop down your top instead of lifting up, recline back in a chair with baby on your chest between your boobs up high.
Baby will naturally seek to descend to the breast if hungry - it's a reflex.
The goal is to have baby lying across your chest on his/her own facing slightly upward at an angle across the nipple though s/he will move around the nipple to access different ducts for more milk. If you are feeding on your left breast you will use your left hang and press down on the upper back/shoulder of the baby's right side. This will help the baby to position his/her head so that their nose is free to breathe but other than that, you leave the baby to do what comes natural.
The self-latching is significantly less painful (until you and baby get used to this). Because baby is nursing up, they don't fight the breast (which is an attempt to hang on or cling to you - left over primate reflex). Luke simply wrapped one hand under and around me and then rested his other one on top of my breast. He latched on and literally did not unlatch for ten minutes. The natural ebb and flow of nursing between let downs and breaks happened and I just leaned back and enjoyed a conversation with family. I didn't have to intervene or think about positioning, how tired I was getting, how cramped or uncomfortable I was or even burp him. When Luke needed to burp he simply pulled himself off the nipple burped a few times and then put himself back on. I kid you not.
When he seemed to fall asleep, I waited a few minutes and then pulled him back up onto my upper chest. He dozed there for ten minutes and then seemed ready for more so I switched breasts and he began again.
I kid you not, he fell asleep easier, faster and for longer and when I got home tonight I repeated and voila. Less gas, happier baby and he's conked out now. Did I mention that you can lie back and watch tv, surf, have a glass of wine, put your feet up?
Seriously, changed my life. Now granted, in public, I won't be able to nurse this way but it will be something I do whenever possible.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Breastfeeding Position to Change Your Life!
We learned about baby led BFing in my breastfeeding class and it looks so amazing! ? I'm excited to try it once my milk comes in and we get the hang of things.
There are some videos online. ?I love how the babies bob their little heads around.?
Janice you had you LO! Congrats he's soooooo cute. And TMB Conor is getting to be so damn handsome I can barely resist those cheeks!?
We were taught this method in our BFing class as well.. but I have yet to try it.
DD should be waking to eat anytime now, so I'll try it then and see if its any easier for us!
The O'Baby Blog
well thank you very much!
Thanks! ?I am SOOO happy! ? Your LO is adorable, Red. ?I want to see a new photo!
TMB, I LOVE your baby's owl hat. ?He looks so cute!?
Camryn is so cute too.
::dies at the cuteness on the boards tonight::?