BREASTFEEDING (GOOD LATCH)

~The first step to Breastfeeding is getting you and your baby to feel relaxed and comfortable

~ Find a place where you won't be disturbed preferably somewhere quite

~ Where you and your baby will feel comfortable and safe 

~ A crying baby is difficult to latch

~ If your baby is crying try to calm her before you begin to breastfeed

~ There are several comfortable positions that can be used while breastfeeding

~  These include cradle or cross cradle ,the football hold or even lying down

~ There are many positions in which your baby can breastfeed

~ The key is to find out which position is comfortable for both you and your baby

~ Successful breastfeeding requires as much contact as possible between your baby's tongue and palate and your breast

~ If your baby doesn't take enough breast into her mouth, your nipple will push against a hard palate this is called a shallow latch

~ With the shallow latch , breastfeeding can be painful and your baby may not get enough milk 

~ The friction and pressure from this latch can also lead to painful cracked nipples

~ The goal is for your baby to take as much breast in the mouth as possible so that your nipple in against the soft palate you should not feel any pain when the baby suckles

~ If the latches isn't good gently insert your finger at the corner of the baby's mouth to break the seal

~ The baby should release the breast

~ Do not pull the breast out of the baby's mouth as this can hurt your breast

~ The baby needs to be held in the correct position to help her achieve an effective latch

~first the mothers arm supports the baby

~ While she holds her baby close facing her 

~The baby's ear , shoulder and hip should be more or less in a line.

~Babys nose should be near the nipple and chin should be touching the breast

~ To encourage baby mouth to open wide you can try touching your baby's top lip to your nipple and then moving her away slight

~ Allows the baby to take enough breast into the mouth ensuring the nipple reaches soft palate good deep latch should feel comfortable for you

~ Watch and listen of signs that your baby is getting enough milk

~ You should see that her cheeks are full you don't hear any in drawing of air

~ You hear the feeding rhythm swallow breath.these are signs that your baby is taking milk

~ You both enjoy the special time until your baby falls asleep or releases your breast

~ This is a sign that baby has had enough milk

~ If you are worried or unsure get your baby's latch checked by a healthcare worker