Page 15 - GCMC Third Trimester

Mother Led Latch—for babies who have already completed baby led latching sequences
Getting the baby to latch correctly is one of the most important steps in successful breastfeeding. Good latch-on is a learned response. Be patient with yourself and your baby. Once your baby has latched several times following the baby led latch guidelines you can try different positions. Here are some helpful tips for proper positioning and latching:
1. Prepare yourself by washing your hands, getting comfortable, and deciding on a feeding position.
2. Align your baby’s chest to your tummy and align their nose with your nipple. You want them to extend their neck in order to have their jaw opened wide.
3. Run your nipple lightly above the baby’s upper lip. This will promote the rooting response.
4. Be patient until your baby opens his/her mouth the widest.
5. Baby’s head slightly tilts back.
6. Aim your nipple toward the roof of the baby’s mouth.
7. Baby’s chin should approach the breast first.
8. Lower lip should be positioned further from the nipple than the top lip. This is called an asymmetrical latch.
9. When the baby opens wide, quickly and gently pull them toward your breast.
There are many different ways to hold your baby while breastfeeding. While you are in
the hospital, your nurse will assist you with different positions to find the ones that work best for you and your baby.
HERE ARE SEVERAL BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY:
FOR BABY
• Baby receives skin to skin, eye and voice contact.
• Breastmilk contains antibodies that protect against infection. It has also been shown
to protect babies from many dangers such as influenza, meningitis, celiac disease, and salmonella.
• Easily digested.
• Fewer respiratory infections.
• Less gastrointestinal disturbances. Breast
milk has living growth factors that stimulate the lining of the baby’s gut to mature and encourage the growth of good bacteria in the baby’s gut, which keeps a baby healthier.
• Less allergies.
• May have protective effect against SIDS. • Perfectly matched nutrition.
• Reduced ear infections.
• Stimulates senses of taste and smell.
FOR MOTHER
• Convenient and economical.
• Free and greatly lowers grocery bills.
• Helpful with weight loss because breastfeeding
burns calories.
• Helps the uterus return to its normal size, faster. • Protective against breast, uterine, endometrial,
and ovarian cancer later in life.
• May reduce the risk of heart disease and
osteoporosis.
FOR BABY AND MOTHER
• A beautiful way to bond with your baby, contributing to a special and loving relationship.
• Families can get on the move easily — breastmilk is always available fresh when you are there!
• Healthy for the environment—no waste or packaging required.