A proper latch makes it easier for the baby to eat and causes fewer problems for mother.

Cradle baby firmly with baby's mouth facing your breast. Support baby's head with one hand, while pressing baby's bottom against your chest.

Wait for baby's mouth to open wide, then pull the baby onto the breast letting the chin hit the breast first. Don't put the breast into baby's mouth. Baby's lips should be flared back on the breast.

The nipple should be in the top of baby's mouth. There should be no pain when baby sucks.

The areola (coloured part of the breast around the nipple) should be covered by and in baby's mouth. It is most important that the lower half of the areola be covered.

While nursing, the baby's chin should be well under the breast and nose very close to the skin of the breast.

If well latched, gentle pulling away should not break the latch. There should be little or no pain felt at the nipple.

Most mothers find that sitting upright with baby in the cradle position is easiest. Try lying down, sitting on a bed or other positions only after breast-feeding is well established.

  A pillow on your lap may help support a bigger or heavier baby. This is very helpful if you have had a C-section. If you don't have a proper latch, take the baby off and try again. Letting the baby feed with a poor latch will cause pain and poor feeding.  If the breast or nipples are painful take the baby off and start again.

Don't let the baby “nipple” feed.Don't worry about anything else—they can wait.  Relax!!! Have a warm drink. Let people help. Accept the support of husband, family, and professionals. It never hurts to hear that you are doing a great job either.

Is baby getting enough breast milk?

Proper suckling ?

Once baby is latched on, they will suck.

This is a specific series of movements:

1. Baby opens mouth wider

2. Baby pauses as milk flows into the mouth

3. Baby closes mouth

These pattern repeats until the mouth is full and the baby swallows. You should be able to see and hear the baby swallow.

By day 4 or 5, babies who are drinking well will have at least 6 soaked diapers every 24 hours. Bowel movements change over the first few weeks. From birth to about day 3, the movements are tarry and black. This is called meconium. After this, movements become seedy and yellow and can be passed 5 to 10 times daily. After about 3 weeks, the stools become more yellow and soft, then brown as solid food is added. Movements may continue as frequently as after every feeding or may occur only once every 7 to 12 days.

How often should I feed? From birth to day 3, you should offer the breast approximately every 1 to 3 hours

during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night. Sleepy babies may not be getting enough food, so you have to wake them to feed. Be sure to review “Is baby getting enough milk?” After day 3, most babies will develop a pattern. Feeding schedules will vary from every 2 to 4 hours during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night. With time, babies take more milk at every feeding as their stomachs grow and the time between feeds

will lengthen. When babies will sleep through the night is quite variable.