The success of the breastfeeding process depends on the latch-on when the baby is breastfeeding. If the attachment is not correct, your child will find it difficult to get breast milk optimally. The mother can also feel the impact, such as pain in the nipples. And if this condition is not immediately corrected, then the production of Breast milk can be reduced.
Sticking is the moment when the baby inserts the nipple and areola (the dark area around the nipple) into the mouth and begins to suck the milk that comes out of the breast. Doing it is not as easy as saying it. Some mothers and babies have experienced obstacles in attachment to breastfeeding.
Recognize the following signs of breastfeeding attachment that are not correct.
- When suckling, the nipple and areola do not enter completely into the baby's mouth.
- If your child only sucks a few times and then immediately falls asleep, it may also be wrong attachment.
- The Little Wriggled when suckling.
- After completing breastfeeding, the tip of the nipple looks sharp. This may be because the nipple does not enter far enough into the baby's mouth when suckling, so the mother's nipple is stuck in the baby's gums.
- Mother's breast nipples hurt when breastfeeding. If this happens, do not continue because it can cause breast nipple pain. Gently insert your baby's finger into the baby's mouth to give enough space so the mother can pull the nipple.
Correct Improper Adhesion
Breastfeeding attachment skills depend on the baby's ability to position the mother's nipples in her mouth. Actually, naturally, babies have the instinct to do that.
However, it is not uncommon for difficulties in sticking to be caused by various factors. One of the most common reasons is that babies don't know how to use mother's breasts to get food. In this condition, you are advised to take the following steps to improve adhesion:
- Recognize the early signs of hunger in infants. Like Little One might suck his fist, lips, or fingers. Other cues can be rooting reflexes, which are normal reflexes in newborns when their lips or cheeks are touched, so they automatically turn around and their mouth makes them suck. Meanwhile, crying is a sign of hunger for too long.
- Immediately breastfeed the baby if he shows early signs of hunger. So that Little will not be angry when he tried several times to stick to be perfect. Don't wait until he cries starving because it can be even harder to start breastfeeding.
- Mother is ready to stick. Hold the baby with one hand. Use the other hand to hold the breast, with the thumb above and the other fingers below, forming the letter "C".
- When the baby's mouth is wide open, thrust the breast into the baby's mouth with quick movements. So that the mother can do it quickly, move your arms and baby toward the breast, instead of bending the mother's body to approach the baby. Try to get the nipple far enough into his mouth, and his lips cover the area of the areola. If the breast is well attached to the baby's mouth, the mother no longer needs to hold the breast.
- Avoid using pacifiers, baby gloves, or swaddling all the baby's hands. This action can prevent the mother from reading the signs of hunger Little.
If the mother has followed the steps to improve breastfeeding attachment above, but is still experiencing obstacles, do not hesitate to consult with a lactation consultant. He can check whether the position and sticking is good, and whether there are complications in breastfeeding that need to be addressed. Breastfeeding with the right attachment can be the most valuable experience between mother and baby.
