Friday Five: Things I Had Forgotten about Breastfeeding a Newborn
July 25, 2008 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breastfeeding, mothering
Three and a half years had passed since I last nursed a newborn, and it turns out I had forgotten some things:
1. How those tiny flailing hands get in the way of latching on.
2. How I always manage, accidentally, to drop food crumbs on the baby’s head.
3. How it’s a learning experience for both mom and baby, no matter how many other babies mom has nursed.
4. How much help and support mom and baby need (and not just with breastfeeding — with everything!)
5. How helpful (restful!) it is to master the side-lying position.
ah yes, i love the sidelying! i wish i wasn’t so scared to try that with the firstborn. i might have had better sleep. well, welcome back to breastfeeding!
So true about the side-lying position! I made sure to master it while in the hospital…great way for mom and baby to cuddle at night:)
i have a question about the side-lying position…do i have to hold the baby’s hed up with my arm or a small pillow or is it ok if the baby just lays down beside me???
Hi Emma! The baby can just lay down beside you (in fact it might not be safe to use a small pillow if the baby and you both fell asleep). If it helps with positioning you can put your arm underneath the baby’s head. Make sure to position the baby tummy-to-tummy with you, feet tucked in toward you, and your other arm supporting the baby’s back so the baby stays lying on his or her side.