Understanding how breastfeeding works and understanding the two keys to its success – breastfeeding on demand and effective sucking – is the best preparation for breastfeeding your baby. Focus on the main principles of breastfeeding.

From the start of pregnancy, the breasts prepare to breastfeed: the breasts increase in size, the areola takes on a darker color and the nipples become harder and more prominent, sometimes with some colostrum discharge at the end of pregnancy. No preparation is necessary to prepare the breasts, harden the nipples or make them stand out, even in the case of retracted or not very stretchy nipples. In the end, the most important thing to prepare for breastfeeding is to learn about the main principles of lactation.

Precose breastfeeding

The WHO recommends starting breastfeeding within an hour of birth, if the health of the baby and its mother and conditions allow it of course. This early breastfeeding in the delivery room allows breastfeeding to begin in the best conditions. From the first hour of life, the newborn is in a state of hyper-vigilance, and his sucking reflex is optimal. Thanks to his innate reflexes, he will naturally find his mother’s breast, as long as it is put in good conditions, ideally skin-to-skin. On the mother’s side, this early breastfeeding will trigger the secretion of prolactin and oxytocin, the hormones for milk production and ejection, thus kicking off lactation.

In case of premature birth or cesarean section

However, breastfeeding is of course not compromised if this early breastfeeding cannot take place because of a premature delivery or a cesarean for example. If the mother wishes to breastfeed, the breastfeeding can be done as soon as her health and that of her baby allow it, with the help of the medical team to find the most suitable position in particular.

Дојење на захтев

Lactation obeys the law of supply and demand. The more the baby sucks and the more efficient his sucking technique, the more the prolactin receptors on the areola are stimulated, the greater the secretion of prolactin and oxytocin, and the higher the milk production. The more the baby sucks, the more secretory cells are emptied and the more milk they will produce. In order to produce milk, the baby must therefore be able to breastfeed as often as he wishes. This is the principle of breastfeeding on demand. Only breastfeeding on demand allows infants to regulate their nutritional needs and maintain lactation that meets these needs. 

How many feeds per day?

Each baby is different, there is no limit to the number of feeds, nor minimum interval to be observed. On average, a baby can suck 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, including at night for the first few months. This rhythm changes over the weeks and even days, the baby sometimes encountering “growth spikes” where he frequently asks for the breast. Trying to reduce the number of feedings, to “stall” your baby on a fixed rhythm is detrimental to the continuation of breastfeeding. 

The baby may also latch on only one breast for each feed, or both, and this rhythm may change over the days and even throughout the day. In practice, it is advisable to give a breast until it releases itself, and if it seems to be still hungry, offer the other breast that it will take as long as it wishes, or not at all. Also remember to alternate the breasts from one feed to another.

For the proper start of breastfeeding, it is important to keep the baby close to you. This proximity promotes breastfeeding on demand and helps the mother recognize the signs that show the baby is ready to breastfeed (reflex movements while drowsy, mouth open, moans, mouth searching). Indeed, it is not necessary, or even not recommended, to wait until he cries to offer him the breast, this generally makes it more complicated to latch on. Better to practice “breastfeeding awake”. 

Skin-to-skin also promotes breastfeeding. Far from being reserved for the birth room, it is possible to practice it back at home.

With on-demand feedings, a good latch is the other basic pillar of breastfeeding. The baby must indeed suck effectively to stimulate the receptors located on the areola of the breast, empty the breast, but also not to injure the nipple with too strong or asymmetrical traction. Breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful. Pain is a warning sign for poor sucking.  

Критеријуми за ефикасно усисавање

За ефикасно усисавање мора бити испуњено неколико критеријума:

• бебина глава треба бити благо савијена уназад;
• брада му додирује дојку;
• беба треба да има широм отворена уста како би узела велики део ареоле дојке, а не само брадавицу. У његовим устима, ареола треба мало да се помери према непцу;
• током храњења, њен нос треба да буде благо отворен, а усне закривљене ка споља. 

Signs that baby is nursing well

There are different signs that the baby is nursing well:

• the baby is wide awake, focused on breastfeeding;
• his breastfeeding rhythm is ample and regular: he makes long bursts of sucking interspersed with short pauses, without ever letting go of the breast;
• her temples move to the rhythm of the sucking, her cheeks are not hollow;
• the breast becomes softer as you feed.

Различити положаји дојења

There is no such thing as “one” ideal breastfeeding position, but several positions, the most famous of which are:

• Мадонна,
• reversed madonna,
• rugby ball,
• lying position.

It is up to the mother to choose the one that suits her best, depending on the circumstances. The main thing is that the position allows a good sucking of the baby, while being comfortable for the mother, without causing pain in the nipples.

Le biological nurturing

In recent years, biological nurturing, an instinctive approach to breastfeeding, has been increasingly recommended. According to its designer Suzanne Colson, an American lactation consultant, biological nurturing aims to promote the innate behaviors of mother and baby, for serene and effective breastfeeding. Thus, in biological nurturing, the mother gives the breast to her baby in a reclined position rather than sitting down, which is more comfortable. Naturally, she will make a nest with her arms to guide her baby who, for her part, will be able to use all her reflexes to find her mother’s breast and suck effectively.

There are different signs that the baby’s nutritional needs are being met: 

• the baby is awake;
• his layers are regularly full. A baby who eliminates well is indeed a baby who eats well. After the first week of passing the meconium, the baby urinates 5 to 6 times a day on average, and has 2 to 3 stools per day. By 6-8 weeks, the frequency may decrease to a daily bowel movement. When breastfeeding is well established, it happens that these stools are rarer, without it being constipated. As long as the baby does not seem to have a stomach ache and these stools, although rare, pass easily, there is no need to worry;
• its growth curve is harmonious. Be sure to refer to the growth charts of breastfed babies. 

At the same time, breastfeeding should not cause pain. Breast pain, cracks or engorgement are usually a sign that the baby is not nursing. It is then necessary to correct the position of the baby at the breast. If the pain persists, other causes should be considered: a too short tongue frenulum that prevents baby from sucking well for example. 

Who to contact in case of difficulties?

Also, it is essential to get help in case of difficulties. As natural as it is, breastfeeding sometimes requires professional support. External help from a breastfeeding specialist (midwife with a breastfeeding IUD, IBCLC lactation counselor) helps overcome breastfeeding difficulties with expert advice, and reassures the mother about her ability. to feed her baby.