Becoming a new parent is confusing enough as it is. One of the questions we hear over and over again is "How do I know if I am nursing correctly?" Here are a few clues that will give you the confidence you need when breastfeeding:
Signs of Correct Nursing
- Your baby’s mouth is open wide with lips turned out like a fish.
- His chin and nose are resting against the breast.
- He has taken as much of the areola as possible into his mouth.
- He is suckling rhythmically, in short bursts with pauses in between.
- He swallows regularly.
- Your nipple is comfortable within the first minute of feeding.
Signs of Incorrect Nursing
- Your baby’s head is not in line with his body.
- He is sucking on the nipple only, instead of suckling on the areola with the nipple far back in his mouth.
- He is sucking in a light, quick, fluttery manner rather than taking deep, regular sucks.
- Milk leaks from baby's mouth
- His cheeks are puckered inward or you hear clicking noises.
- You don’t hear him swallow regularly after your milk production has increased.
- You experience pain throughout the feed or have signs of nipple damage (such as cracking or bleeding).
Source: New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding, 2nd Edition (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics) https://www.healthychildren.org/Breastfeeding
Images obtained from breastfeedo.com