Position yourself and the baby
Find a position that is comfortable for both you and your
baby. Sit up with your back supported. Bring the baby to you—not you to the
baby. The baby's chest should face your chest and his or her mouth should be
right in front of your nipple.
Support your breast
Support and narrow your breast with one hand using a "C
hold," with all your fingers below the nipple and your thumb above it. The
other hand is behind your baby's shoulders with your fingers up and supporting
the head.
Bring the baby toward your breast
The baby's mouth needs to be wide open, like a yawn, before
you try to have your baby latch on. You can try touching the middle of your
baby's lower lip with your nipple until the baby opens his or her mouth. As you
bring your baby toward your breast, use your other hand to support the breast
and guide it into his or her mouth.
Make sure the baby's lips are flared
Both the nipple and a large portion of the darker area around
the nipple (areola) should be in the baby's mouth. The baby's lips should be
flared outward, not folded in (inverted). You may feel pain briefly when the
baby latches on to the breast, especially in the first few days of
breast-feeding. If the pain does not go away after the first minute, remove the
baby from the breast by putting one finger into the corner of his or her mouth.
This will gently break the seal, and you can start
again.
Be sure the baby is latched on correctly
Listen for a regular sucking and swallowing pattern while the
baby is feeding. If you cannot see or hear a swallowing pattern, watch the
baby's ears, which will wiggle slightly when the baby swallows. If the baby's
nose appears to be blocked by your breast, reposition him or her by raising the
baby's hips or relaxing the baby's head back slightly, so just the edge of one
nostril is clear for breathing.
