1.)Be sure you are comfortable. Relax your body and muscles. Now, bring your baby to you (don’t lean into your baby!) 2.)With your opposite hand support your breast with your thumb on top and your fingers below areola. 3.)Make sure Baby’s mouth is opened wide, and that his lower gum is below base of areola. You don’t want Baby to accidentally bite down on tip of your nipple. That could hurt and send you both in tears! 4.)Compress your breasts gently, inserting as much milk into your infant’s mouth as possible 5.)When your baby has indicated that he’s full, or perhaps has fallen asleep, it’s time to end feeding. If baby has not come off breast by himself, you will need to break suction by placing your finger into corner of his mouth until you feel release.

Breastcare

No doubt you may find your nipples to be cracked or sore in beginning, especially if Baby’s latch wasn’t positioned correctly. It is recommended to leave your bra flaps down and allow your nipples to air dry right after a nursing session. There are also ointments and creams made especially for these predicaments. You may also find that your breasts are leaking milk throughout day. My recommendation would be to nurse as frequently as your baby requires, especially since breast milk is digested so quickly. Others would rather express their milk manually or by using a breast pump, in order to store milk for family members to help out with feedings. Yet another solution, though temporary, is to wear nursing pads in your bra, to keep milk from leaking through your clothing. Remember, though, that your milk is flowing regularly as a normal part of nursing process, and that your natural let-down reflex is sometimes an indication of an upcoming feeding time. Before you begin pumping, you may want to check clock to be sure it’s not time to feed Baby again.

For more details on breastfeeding and breast care, you can contact your local local La Leche League. They can help with securing equipment, materials, and advice about breastfeeding.

-- Demetria Zinga is founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.

How easy was that!

Being parent has become a whole lot easier now that I’ve realized importance of setting limits. Setting limits is not an overnight process. It takes some time. I am aware that there will be plenty of mornings awaiting me when I will be faced with new and different challenges. But you know what best part of this journey is?

Being parent.

-- Demetria Zinga is founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.