Q6. Can I feed the baby in lying down position?

A. You can certainly feed the baby in lying down position. Mother should take the position most comfortable to her. In the first few weeks it would be ideal for mother to remain awake to facilitate the baby to feed. Mother need not remain awake provided she has somebody to help her who can keep a watch over the mother infant pair. Beyond a few weeks even this precaution is not necessary.

Q7. What breastfeeding problems I am likely to face in the immediate post-delivery period?

A. Following are the commonest problems likely to be faced by the mother in about a week after delivery:
A] Cracked nipple \ pain while feeding
B] Engorged breast
C] Inability to hold & position the baby properly
D] Inadequate milk

Q8. How should a mother manage a cracked nipple? (It hurts me when I breastfeed. What should I do?)

A. Cracked nipple\ Nipple pain is always because of wrong positioning. It is necessary that mother gives nipple & maximum possible areola (brownish black portion behind nipple) in baby's mouth. However if only nipple or nipple & a small part of areola is given then it results in pain & subsequently cracked nipples. This mother will have to learn to position the baby properly in order to stop recurrent injury to the nipple. Correction of wrong position gives immediate pain relief. She should not apply any cream or ointment to the cracked nipple. Applying hindmilk (fat rich milk which comes in the later part of a breastfeed) helps healing.

Q9. How to prevent & treat breast engorgement?

A. When milk comes in 2-3 days after delivery sometimes breasts may get engorged. This can also happen if baby has not been frequently put to breast. It can also result later on if baby does not take feed long after the expected time. Initial feeling of fullness in the breast can easily progress to hardening of breast with pain. If further not attended it can give rise to redness & swelling of the breast with fever. Subsequently it can lead to breast abscess. Hence every mother must know how to express the milk so that with first sign of heaviness she can start expressing the milk. This is best done by hands. Care should be taken in the initial few days after delivery to give demand feeding in proper position to prevent engorgement.

Q10. How to position a baby correctly & comfortably while breastfeeding?

A. Mother should not bend forward while breastfeeding. This will give rise to backache Baby should be turned towards the mother so that baby's abdomen touches that of mother's. This will also permit the mother to feed in a relaxed sitting position with a pillow supporting the back. Baby should be given nipple & maximum possible areola in its mouth to permit optimum milk transfer & to avoid cracked nipples. A well latched baby will feed with mouth widely open & its chin digging into the breast tissue. One would also find milk at the corner of the mouth(except in initial few days) & a swallowing movement after every 2-3 suckling movements. Mother can also use pillows of sufficient thickness below forearm & thigh for comfort. Mother can also feed while lying down. She may sometimes have to feed standing \ walking while doing her household cores.

Back to FAQs | Previous Page