How To Breastfeed Your Newborn: 8 Simple Steps

Breastfeeding is something you and your newborn learn to do together. It’s an opportunity for you to bond with each other and can be a wonderful experience. However, it can take time to get used to the process. It's important to remember that many mothers experience challenges when breastfeeding, and it’s normal to feel disheartened sometimes.

We’ve put together a few breastfeeding tips that we hope will help you on your way towards solidifying that beautiful bond between you and your newborn.

Breastfeeding your newborn: what is colostrum? 

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that for the first few days after giving birth, your body will produce a thick, concentrated version of breast milk called Colostrum. It’s often golden yellow in colour and very nutrient rich. When you breastfeed your newborn it’s likely that they’ll only need around a teaspoon at time, so don’t be alarmed if those first few feeds are quite short. 

If you’re concerned about the amount of milk you're producing, we have a delicious solution for you.

4 Common Breastfeeding Positions 

There are a few different breastfeeding positions to try. It’s up to you what suits you and your newborn best - see what feels natural!

Here are 4 common breastfeeding positions: 

Image: babycentre.co.uk

Image: babycentre.co.uk

2. The cradle hold. A classic choice, though it may be a little uncomfortable for those recovering from a caesarean.

Image: babycentre.co.uk

3. Lying on your side. Great for breastfeeding in the middle of the night. Also a comfortable alternative for those who delivered their baby by caesarean.

Image: babycentre.co.uk

4. The rugby hold, or ‘clutch’. Perfect for breastfeeding twins, as you can hold them to your breasts at the same time. It’s also another alternative for mothers who delivered their baby by cesarean, as it takes the pressure off your stomach.

Throughout these steps, we’ll be imagining that the mother is in a seating position, but these steps can be applied to any position. If you’re a mother on the move, we’ve got lots of options that can help you feel comfortable breastfeeding, wherever you are.

Make sure to have a glass of water by your side before you begin, so that you can rehydrate throughout - it’s thirsty work!

How To Breastfeed Your Newborn In 8 Steps

1. Get comfy. Settle down in a comfortable seating position, perhaps get some extra cushions in place for added support. Relax your shoulders and arms. If you’re sitting on a chair, rest your feet on a stool or small table. This’ll stop you from leaning forward and prevent back ache from developing!
   
   
2. Straighten up. Make sure your newborn's body and head are in line with one another. It can be harder for your baby to swallow when its neck is turning to the side.
   
   
3. Support the neck. Hold your newborn close to your breast and support their neck, shoulders and back. This gives them the freedom to tilt their head back and swallow with ease. 
   
   
4. Let the head tilt. As tempting as it can be to support the head here, it’s important to let it relax. As the head tilts, your nipple will slip in past the hard roof of your newborn’s mouth. This allows it to settle into the soft palate at the back - exactly where you want it.
   
   
5. Give them control. It can feel tempting to lean forward into your baby's mouth, but it’s important to let your baby latch on by themselves. Leaning into the mouth can sometimes lead to poor attachment, which will make future feeds more difficult.
   
   
6. Nose to nipple. Align your newborn’s nose with your nipple. As their head tilts back, the top lip will brush against the nipple. This encourages them to open their mouth wide and attach to the nipple well, getting the big mouthful that they need.
   
   
7. Chin to breast. When your newborn's mouth is wide enough, their chin should be able to touch your breast. Their head will be tipped back, revealing their tongue which will then be able to reach as much of your breast as possible.
   
   
8. The latch. Now the baby’s chin is firmly touching your breast, the nose is clear and the mouth wide open, it’ll soon feel natural for them to attach. Once your newborn has latched on, you’ll be able to see much more of the darker nipple skin above their top lip than around the bottom. Their cheeks will often look full and rounded as they feed!

We love helping new mothers to settle in. Take a look at our full range of goodies for an extra boost!