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Breastfeeding Know How

It's simple and yet tricky

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Is breastfeeding really that simple that anyone can do it? Well...you don't need to have anything to breastfeed.

What you need is motivation, perseverance and determination. And of course...the baby.

Ok, let's say we are determined, motivated, have the baby, and...our breasts ;), But how do we breastfeed? Is there any method on how we breastfeed the baby? Well, yes and no.

Yes...Breastfeeding needs skills...

How we hold the baby, how we make sure the baby is latched on to the breast, how we treat engorgement, how we are sure if the baby is having enough, how we make sure that our supply of breast milk is always at its optimum, etc...the list can go on and on...Complicated? Hmmm...

No...Breastfeeding is the easiest and most natural way to feed the baby

When the baby is hungry, you breastfeed him. When he's not, you don't feed him. No need to bother which brand of formula is the best for the baby, no need to get the bottle, sterilize it before filling in the milk, no need to worry if the baby is allergic to any brand, no wastage of milk, etc. Any method? Noop...Simple? Yes...

So, what's the clue? It sounds simple and yet there're so many things to consider...

Feeding On Demand

Mamas must know that breastfeeding babies are fed on demand instead of having to follow a scheduled time table. Having said that, breastfeeding solely follows the baby's routine rather than the mama's routine. When the baby is crying for feed, just feed him. The clock is not a very great tool in this sense. You are not going to look at clocks to breastfeed your baby.

For the first 2 months, I fed my baby almost every 2 hours, for about 10 - 15 minutes each feed. For such a short feeding duration, many mamas have the wrong concept that the babies are not having enough with breast milk, and they immediately feed the babies with formula milk after breastfeeding. This is a big mistake.

Since breast milk is digested more quickly than formula milk, so while a formula-fed baby may go 3-4 hours between feedings, breastfeeding baby needs much shorter time than that. The baby will stop feeding when he has enough. The duration between feed is shorter because as mentioned, breast milk digests faster than formula milk.

Please not to worry too much. As the baby grows older, the duration between feedings will be longer. As I gradually adjusted to my baby's feeding pattern, I found that feeding on demand was even easier than feeding on schedule for both baby and me. Why? Because I would feed as soon as he was hungry. No more engorgement for me, and the baby got what he wanted, when he wanted it.

Supply vs Demand

Breastfeeding is the best example to demonstrate the relationship between supply and demand. When there's demand, there's supply...high demand - high supply, low demand - low supply, and...no demand - no supply!

Yes, our body knows exactly when to have high production, when not!

If we substitute one feed with formula milk, our milk supply will be lower for that one feed. Also, skipping a feed will mean we could end up being engorged and uncomfortable.

My advice is to empty the breast as much as possible after one feed to prepare for production for the next feed.

The Let-Down Reflex

This is a funny term to me. As I understood it from the book, it also known as the milk ejection reflex, the stimulation of the muscles of the breast to squeeze out the milk by the release of the hormone oxytocin.

Mind you, I don't know what hormone this is, and thank God I don't need to know this to be able to breastfeed!

When the milk let-down, the sensation I had was that, first, the breast that was feeding would suddenly like an open tap, gushing out milk from the breast through the nipple into the baby's mouth.

I could actually feel that the milk was flowing from inside! Then, the other breast would have a slight tingling feeling and then milk started to drip out as well.

It was hard to describe the actual feeling, but it was definitely good, near heavenly. This is especially so when you know that you're nourishing the baby with your own milk.

Breastfeeding Position

We can sit on the chair or lie on the bed while breastfeeding. For newborn or very young infant, I prefer to sit and hold the baby. While for older baby, I prefer to lie on the bed side way and let the baby suckle on the breast lying down as well.

* Sitting Position

It's difficult and tiring without proper support on the back. The best is to sit up straight, have some cushion place on the back and slightly lean back. Have a cushion or pillow on your lap and place the baby on the cushion. This is to lift the baby up to the breast without having to lift and strain our hands while holding the baby.

* Lying Position

We have to be sure that the bed or any surface we were to lie down is firm and comfortable. Put the baby in the middle of the bed or the side that next to the wall. Then lie down side way, parallel with the baby, and offer the breast that rest on the bed to the baby. Do put more pillows under your head to be comfortable.

This position is not easy to manage initially. However, when I got it finally, this is the best position for me. It's less tiring, feed more, and most suitable during night feeding.

Whatever position it is, please choose the most effective one for yourself and your baby.

My Advice

So mamas, let's find a comfortable location, sit or lie in your best breastfeeding position, and start breastfeeding the baby. And please remember to think of something good about ourselves and our babies when we breastfeed.

With the baby's suckling movements, the positive thinking we have in mind and some little effort, breastfeeding is definitely something we can all manage.

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