Although breastfeeding is a natural thing, it is not uncommon for mothers to have difficulty doing it. Don't be in a hurry. By practicing the following steps on how to breastfeed properly, the breastfeeding process will be easier for both mother and baby.
Mother's milk (ASI) contains more than 200 nutrients that are perfect for meeting the needs of babies. Along with growth and development, the nutritional content in breast milk will adjust to the needs of the baby. Exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months will reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity, asthma, and infectious diseases such as ear infections, pneumonia (pneumonia), or diarrhea. In addition, breast milk is also able to increase the baby's intelligence.
The Right Way to Breastfeed
The following things can be done to make breastfeeding easy and enjoyable for both mother and baby:
- Make sure mother and baby are relaxed and comfortable
A good breastfeeding position is a position where The baby's head should be higher than the body, this is intended to make it easier for the baby to swallow. You can support it with your hands or prop it up with a pillow. Then, place the baby's nose in line with the nipple. This will encourage the baby to open his mouth.
- Bring the baby closer to the breastWhen the baby starts to open his mouth and wants to suckle, then bring the baby closer to the mother's breast. Wait until the mouth is wide open with the tongue down. If the baby has not done so, the mother can guide the baby by gently touching the bottom of the baby's lips with the mother's nipple.
- Correct attachmentThe best attachment position for a nursing baby is that the baby's mouth is not only attached to the nipple, but also to the area under the nipple and as wide as possible. This attachment is one of the important requirements in how to breastfeed properly. A sign that the attachment is good is when the mother does not feel pain when the baby suckles and the baby is getting sufficient milk. The mother can listen when the baby swallows the milk.
- Correcting the baby's positionIf the mother feels pain, remove the attachment by inserting the little finger into her mouth and placing it between her gums. This movement will stop the feeding while you can adjust the baby's position. Then, try again for a better attachment. Once the attachment is correct, the baby will generally be able to suckle well.
- Feeding timeBabies feed for about 5 to 40 minutes, depending on their needs. For newborns, babies usually need to be breastfed every 2-3 hours with a feeding time of 15-20 minutes at a time. Generally it takes some time for mother and baby to adapt, so that the breastfeeding process runs smoothly.
Necessary Breastfeeding Equipment
So that the baby is comfortable breastfeeding, mothers are advised to use a special nursing bra that has a hook or button on the front that can be opened. For mothers, this will avoid blockage of the milk ducts or trigger inflammation of the breast tissue (mastitis).
To prevent leakage of milk in the bra, mothers can use breast pads (breast pad) tucked into the front of the nipple. For mothers who plan to express breast milk, mothers can buy a breast pump that is convenient to use.
Often, it takes practice and practice for some time so that the mother and baby can work well together during the breastfeeding process. If needed, breastfeeding mothers can seek advice and assistance from doctors, midwives, or lactation consultants to find out how to breastfeed properly.