Proper positioning of the baby on the breast

For successful breastfeeding, it is important that you and your baby master the breastfeeding technique as soon as possible. This ensures a good milk supply, allows the baby to suckle as much as he/she needs, prevents painful breastfeeding and nipple damage. Breastfeeding is natural, but it is also a skill that is acquired over time and through practice.

The key to successful breastfeeding is good grip and latching on the breast!

A common misconception is that a baby gets milk by simply sucking on the nipple, like a straw. It is necessary for the whole nipple and as much of the areola as possible to be in the baby's mouth - this is known as deep grip, with the nipple pointing up, towards the baby's palate. The nipple will thus reach the comfortable zone deep in the baby's mouth, at the border between the soft and hard palate; with the nipple deep in the mouth, the baby will be able to suckle more successfully, stimulating the flow of milk. If the baby has only a shallow grips of the nipple, it will be pressed against his/her hard palate; this way, the baby gets very little milk, breastfeeding is painful and the risk of nipple damage is high.

Latching on the breast will become easier and a routine over time and with practice, and you will no longer have to think about it. After 4-6 weeks, when the baby establishes control of the head and neck, he/she will be able to achieve a good latch on his/her own.

Positioning the baby on the breast/latching on the breast

  • The baby is positioned so that his/her whole body is next to your body, and his/her head is at the level of your breast. The baby's head, neck and body are in the same plane, with the face towards the breast.
  • Bring the child closer to you; the baby's body is straight, the ear, shoulder and hip should be in a straight line, because in that position the child swallows more easily.
  • Remember the rule: the child approaches the mother, not the other way round!
  • The breast is close to the baby's mouth and the baby should be allowed to explore the breast.
  • Initiate the rooting reflex by gently stroking the baby's mouth with the nipple; you can squeeze out a drop of milk and spread it on the nipple.
  • When the baby's mouth is fully open (as if yawning), point the nipple toward the palate; the nipple slides into the baby's open mouth down the upper lip, and the tongue is extended below the nipple.
  • The baby's chin touches the breast, the lower lip is curved towards the chin, the tongue is below the nipple, and the nose is slightly away from the nipple.
  • When the baby latches on the breast, you can deepen the grip by gently pulling the baby's body towards you.
  • The mistake that mothers sometimes make is to try to push the nipple into the baby's mouth, when the mouth is not wide open.
  • Hold the breast with your free hand at all times to make it easier for your baby to suckle. Make sure your fingers are not too close to the nipple, so that the baby has space to latch on the breast.
  • Sometimes it is necessary to additionally prepare the breasts for breastfeeding (for example, in case of breast engorgement).

Preparation of engorged breasts:

  • Put warm compresses on the breasts for 10-15 minutes before you start breastfeeding to stimulate milk flow.
  • Then gently and lightly massage the breasts towards the nipple (as if "playing music" on the breast).
  • Then manually squeeze out a few drops of milk to soften the area around the nipple and spread the milk on the nipple.

Proper grip and good breastfeeding technique:

  • The baby's mouth is fully open.
  • The upper lip is positioned over the nipple and areola.
  • The lower lip is curved outwards.
  • The baby's chin touches the breast.
  • The nipple is deep in the mouth, it does not touch the hard palate, but rather the baby's soft palate, there is vacuum.
  • The baby sucks rhythmically, with pauses for swallowing, which you can see or hear; the cheeks are round, not dimpled.

Pravilno postavljanje bebe na dojku: Bebina usta su sasvim otvorena Gornja usna se nalazi preko bradavice i areole Donja usna je povijena napolje Bebina brada dodiruje dojku

 

If your baby sucks vigorously and rhythmically, empties the breast and you do not feel pain during breastfeeding, you can be sure that he/she latches on the breast well.

Poor grip:

  • The nipple looks flattened or wrinkled when removed from the baby's mouth at the end of a breastfeed. 
  • The baby holds the nipple in his/her mouth, does not suckle, or sleeps on the breast.
  • There is a sound of sucking or smacking.
  • You feel pain in your nipples during and after a breastfeed.

Nepravilno postavljanje bebe na dojku: Beba drži bradavicu u ustima, ne sisa ili spava na dojci. Čuje se zvučno sisanje, coktanje.

If the baby is not well positioned, if you feel pain, stop breastfeeding, tickle the baby's lower lip to make him/her gently drop the breast; take the baby off the breast and start over. Look at this process of getting used to it as learning to drive: in the beginning you have to think about every detail, constantly check yourself and be focused; when you learn and gain a routine, everything goes smoothly and easily.

If you have questions, dilemmas or doubts about breastfeeding, call the "Hello Baby" telephone counseling service of the Belgrade City Institute of Public Health at 011/7158-444. The visiting nurses on phone duty (24/7) will provide you with professional assistance and advice, and help you calm down.