Breastfeeding brings several benefits to mother and baby, such as increasing connection, reducing colic and strengthening the baby’s immune system. Furthermore, breast milk is considered the best and most economical option for feeding from birth, as it is always available and contains all the important nutrients for the baby’s growth and development.
Breastfeeding must be continued until at least 6 months of age, although it can be extended up to 2 years of age or as long as the baby and mother wish. See the benefits of breastfeeding.
Although it may seem like a simple process, breastfeeding usually causes a lot of doubts and can even become frustrating. There are also several problems that can arise along the way, such as cracked nipples, which can make the mother more discouraged. Therefore, the ideal is for all mothers to have access to a support network with family, friends and health professionals, who help with the process and clarify any doubts.
This essential guide brings together the most important steps for breastfeeding correctly, as well as some tips that will help you avoid the most common problems:
Step 1: Realize when the baby is hungry
There are some signs that help the mother realize that the baby is hungry and needs to breastfeed. The most common are:
- The baby tries to grab any object that touches the mouth area. Therefore, if the mother puts her finger near the baby’s mouth, he should turn his face and try to put the finger in his mouth if he is hungry;
- The baby looks for the nipple, especially when it is on the mother’s lap;
- The baby sucks his fingers or holds his hand in his mouth;
- The baby is restless or crying and his crying is strong and loud.
Despite these signs, there are babies who are so calm that they wait to be fed. Therefore, it is important not to leave the baby without eating for more than 3-4 hours, putting him to the breast even if he does not show these signs.
Breastfeeding should be done within this interval during the day, but if the baby is gaining adequate weight, it will not be necessary to wake him up every 3 hours to feed during the night. In this case, the mother can only breastfeed once during the night until the baby is 7 months old.
Step 2: adopt a comfortable position
Before placing the baby on the breast, the mother must adopt a comfortable position. The environment must be calm, preferably without noise, and the mother must keep her back straight and support her well to avoid back and neck pain.
Some of the positions that the mother can adopt to breastfeed are:
- Lie on your side, with the baby also lying on your side, facing the breast;
- Sit in a high chair with your back straight and supported, holding the baby with both arms or with the baby under one arm or with the baby sitting on one of the legs;
- Stand upright, keeping your back straight.
Whatever the position, it is important that the mother feels comfortable and the baby must have its body facing the mother and its mouth and nose at the same height as the breast. Discover the best positions for breastfeeding your baby.
Step 3: place the baby on the breast
After being in a comfortable position, the mother must position the baby to breastfeed and must take some care when positioning the baby. First, the woman should touch the nipple to the baby’s upper lip or nose, making him open his mouth wide. Then, the baby should be moved so that he or she grasps the nipple and areola of the breast, instead of bringing the breast to the baby.
In the first few days after birth, you should offer both breasts to the baby, spending about 10 to 15 minutes on each breast to stimulate milk production. After the milk comes in, around the 3rd day, the baby should be allowed to breastfeed until the breast is empty and only then offer the other breast. In the next feeding, the baby should start with the last breast offered, so that it is completely emptied, stimulating the production of more milk. Check out other tips for increasing breast milk production.
Step 4: observe whether the baby is breastfeeding well
To understand whether the baby is able to breastfeed correctly, the mother must observe some signs during breastfeeding. These are:
- The baby’s chin touches the breast and the nose is free to breathe;
- The baby’s belly is against the mother’s belly;
- The baby’s mouth is wide open and the lower lip is turned outwards, like a fish’s;
- The baby grasps part or all of the breast areola and not just the nipple;
- The baby is calm and you can hear the baby swallowing the milk.
The way a baby attaches to the breast during breastfeeding directly influences the amount of milk the baby ingests and, consequently, promotes weight gain. Furthermore, if the baby is not latching on correctly there is also an increased risk of cracks appearing on the nipples, which causes pain and blockage of the duct, resulting in a lot of discomfort during feedings. Cracked nipples are one of the main factors in breastfeeding abandonment.
See how to solve cracked nipples and other common problems.
Step 5: identify whether the baby has fed enough
To identify whether the baby has fed enough, the mother should check whether the breast the baby was sucking on is emptier, becoming slightly softer than before. Another option to confirm that the breast has emptied is to press close to the nipple to check if milk is still coming out. If the milk does not come out in large quantities, with only small drops remaining, this indicates that the baby breastfed well and was able to empty the breast.
Other signs that may indicate that the baby is satisfied and has a full tummy are slower sucking at the end of the feed, when the baby spontaneously lets go of the breast or when the baby becomes more relaxed and sleeps at the breast. However, the fact that the baby falls asleep does not always mean that he has fed enough, as there are babies who become drowsy during feeding. Therefore, it is always important for the mother to check whether or not the baby has emptied the breast.
Step 6: remove the baby from the breast
To remove the baby from the breast, without risking injury, the mother must place her little finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth while he is still breastfeeding, to break the suction vacuum and make the baby let go of the nipple. . Then just remove the baby from the breast.
Step 7: Burp the baby
Finally, after the baby has fed, it is very important to burp him so that he eliminates the air he swallowed during the feed and prevents him from swallowing. To do this, the mother can place the baby on her lap, in an upright position, against her shoulder and gently pat her back. It may be useful to place a diaper on your shoulder to protect your clothes, as it is common for a little milk to come out when your baby burps.
What is the best time to breastfeed
As for breastfeeding times, ideally it should be done on demand, that is, whenever the baby wants it. Initially, the baby may need to breastfeed every 1h 30 or 2h during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night.
Little by little, your gastric capacity will increase and you will be able to hold a greater amount of milk, increasing the time between feedings. Understand how the size of your baby’s stomach changes over time.
When to stop breastfeeding
Knowing when to stop breastfeeding is a common question for practically all mothers. The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding be exclusive until the baby is 6 months old and continue until at least 2 years of age. The mother can stop breastfeeding from this date or wait for the baby to decide that she no longer wants to breastfeed.
From 6 months onwards, milk no longer provides the sufficient amount of energy that the baby needs to develop and it is at this stage that new foods are introduced. At around 2 years of age, in addition to the baby already eating practically everything an adult eats, he will also be able to find comfort in other situations other than the mother’s breast, which for him initially represents a safe haven.
See when and how to introduce new foods from 6 months onwards.
Important precautions during breastfeeding
The mother must take some precautions during breastfeeding and have healthy lifestyle habits, such as:
- Eat properly, avoiding spicy foods so as not to interfere with the flavor of the milk. See what a mother’s diet should be like during pregnancy;
- Avoid drinking alcohol, as it can pass on to the baby, damaging his renal system;
- Do not smoke;
- Do moderate physical exercise;
- Wear comfortable clothing and bras that do not constrict the breasts;
- Avoid taking medication.
If a woman becomes ill and has to take some type of medication, she should ask her doctor if she can continue breastfeeding, as there are several medications that are secreted in the milk and that can harm the baby’s development. Check out a list of the main medicines that should not be used while breastfeeding.
