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What tips
are there for mothers beginning to breastfeed a premature
baby?
The first few breastfeeding times will be learning
experiences for both mother and baby. The mother will
probably need help to get comfortable and get the baby
positioned. She will need to be seated, preferably in a
chair with arms and a back that will allow her to lean back
comfortably. A supply of pillows to place under her arms or
under the baby will make nursing easier. It is usually
recommended that baby be held in one of the two following
positions.
• In the transitional hold the baby is placed on a pillow on
mother’s lap in a semi-upright position. Mother holds baby
with her arm opposite the breast on which she is going to
feed him, extending the arm the length of baby’s back with
her hand holding baby’s head. Her other hand holds the
breast in a C-hold – thumb above and other fingers below the
nipple and back an inch or so from the areola (the dark area
around the nipple). Baby’s body is positioned facing the
mother, tummy to tummy, with his mouth at the level of
mother’s nipple. A pillow under baby will help raise him to
that level. He is then encouraged to open his mouth widely
by tickling his lip with the nipple. When his mouth is open,
he is pulled in and onto the breast. Gentle pressure is
applied to the back of his head for support and to keep him
from pulling off the nipple.
• The football or clutch hold also allows mother to apply
gentle pressure to baby’s head and it allows her to see
baby’s face. Mother uses the arm on the side on which she
will nurse baby to hold him. Her hand supports baby’s head
and his body is tucked under her arm at her side. Pillows
are positioned under the arm that is holding the baby to
comfortably bring baby up to the level of her nipple. The
breast is held in the C-hold with the opposite hand and baby
is put to breast as above.
During the first few attempts at nursing, baby may just lick
and nuzzle the nipple. He may be confused at first with this
new skill he needs to learn. Expressing a few drops of milk
before baby is put to breast may get him more interested.
Whether he latches on and nurses or not, the loving contact
and cuddling will be beneficial. When the mother can be calm
and patient and enjoy the time with baby, rather than just
thinking of the results of getting baby to the breast, it
gives baby time to adjust and learn.
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