Breastfeeding is not just a natural way to provide nutrition from birth; it provides valuable long-term protection for your little one—it provides optimal nutrition for their age, a source of natural antibodies, and fosters a strong bond between mother and baby. This ensures the baby's physical and emotional development.

Besides providing significant benefits for babies, breastfeeding also offers numerous health benefits for mothers. While it may seem simple, the breastfeeding process requires knowledge, preparation, and adjustment. Every mother's experience is different, depending on her own and her baby's circumstances. Therefore, understanding proper breastfeeding techniques will help mothers feel more comfortable and maximize the benefits of breast milk.

6 Important Things for Successful Breastfeeding

Successful breastfeeding requires support from several things that mothers need to understand and prepare for from pregnancy until after the baby is born, including:

• Awareness & Motivation
  Realize that breastfeeding is life-giving. Every drop of breast milk is a baby's right that must be fulfilled.
• Choose a Hospital That Supports Successful Breastfeeding
  Look for information about hospitals that have breastfeeding-friendly policies, supporting mothers and babies from pregnancy.
• Consultation with a Lactation Counselor
  Prepare yourself by consulting during pregnancy, during labor, and after delivery.
• Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (IMD)
  Perform skin-to-skin contact within the first hour after birth and continue for at least 1 hour.
• Rooming-in & Bedding-in
  Try to keep mother and baby together so that it is easier to respond to the baby's hunger signs.
• Maintain Mother's Cleanliness & Nutrition
  Wash your hands before and after breastfeeding, and consume a balanced, nutritious diet to support the health of both mother and baby.

Correct Breastfeeding Techniques & Skills

To make the breastfeeding process more effective and comfortable, mothers need to find the right position:

1. Find a Comfortable Position Before Breastfeeding
   Make sure both mother and baby are relaxed. You can use a pillow under your back or a nursing pillow on your lap for added comfort.
2. Choose the Right Breastfeeding Position
   Some common positions you can try include:
   • Cradle Hold – classic position, baby is held in mother's arms
   • Cross-Cradle Hold – similar to a cradle , but the baby is supported with the opposite arm
   • Football Hold (Clutch Hold) – baby is tucked in beside the body as if holding a ball
   • Side-Lying Position – breastfeeding while lying down, suitable when the mother is tired or post-surgery
   • Laid-Back Breastfeeding (Biological Nurturing) – semi-lying position, the baby is placed on the mother's chest, more natural and relaxed

There is no most correct position, as long as it is comfortable for mother and baby and helps with good latch .

How to Position Your Baby While Breastfeeding

To make breastfeeding more comfortable and breast milk flow more effectively, also pay attention to the baby's body position.

Correct Position:

• The baby's face faces directly towards the breast (chin to breast) , the baby's nose is aligned with the mother's nipple.
• The baby's stomach/chest is attached to the mother's stomach/chest
• The baby's ears, arms and body are in a straight line
• The baby's entire body is held tightly and well supported.
• The baby's head is in the mother's arm (not in the crease of the elbow)

Wrong Position Sign

1. The baby's neck is turned, so the body is turned away from the mother.
2. The baby's body is not facing the mother's body
3. Mother only supports the baby's head/neck without supporting the body
4. Eye contact between mother and baby is difficult

The correct position will make it easier for the baby to put the breast into his mouth, can prevent sore nipples and strengthen bonding with the mother.

Correct Breastfeeding Techniques

1. Support Your Breasts Properly

Supporting the breast is important to help the milk flow more smoothly, make it easier for the baby to latch on, and ensure that the baby's face is not pressed/covered during the breastfeeding process.

You can use the C-Hold or U-Hold technique, which involves forming a C shape with your thumb on top of your breast (at 12 o'clock) and your other four fingers underneath your breast (at 6 o'clock). Keep your fingers away from the areola to avoid blocking your baby's mouth, and direct your nipple toward your baby's lips when your baby opens their mouth wide.

2. Do the correct latch-on. Use the CALM formula.

C = Chin → baby's chin is attached to the breast
A = Areola → more of the upper areola is visible than the lower.
L = Lips → the baby's lower lip opens wide and folds out
M = Mouth → the baby's mouth is wide open, covering more of the lower areola.

How to help your baby latch on:

1. Touch the nipple to the baby's lower lip.
2. Wait until the baby opens his mouth wide.
3. Immediately bring the baby close to the breast by pressing the baby's back and shoulders (not pressing on the baby's head)
4. Point the nipple at the roof of the baby's mouth, inserting it as deep as possible
5. Make sure the baby's chin is tucked in, the lower lip is turned out, and more of the upper areola is visible.

By supporting the breasts properly and paying attention to attachment according to the CALM formula, breastfeeding becomes more comfortable, milk flows optimally, the baby is full, and the mother avoids pain or sore nipples.

3. Why is Proper Attachment Important?

Babies will get more breast milk if breastfeeding is effective. This is because when the latch is on properly, the baby can suckle deeper, rhythmically, and slowly. The baby can also swallow the milk smoothly.

How to Breastfeed Your Baby Effectively

The baby should take in a large portion of the breast (areola and surrounding tissue), not just the nipple. This allows the baby's tongue to squeeze the milk ducts and allow milk to flow properly. As the baby suckles, he or she pulls the areola and breast tissue together, creating a "teapot"-like structure. The mother's natural nipple should only reach about one-third of the teat's length.

If the baby only sucks the nipple

• Mother will feel pain
• Nipples may become sore or injured.
• Breast milk does not come out optimally, so the baby is not satisfied with breastfeeding

So, remember, Mom, babies suckle at the breast, not just the nipple.

Tip: If you feel pain while breastfeeding, immediately stop sucking gently (for example, by inserting your little finger into the corner of your baby's mouth), then repeat the attachment process until it feels comfortable.

1. Stimulation of the Sucking Reflex
• Rub the nipple gently against the baby's lips so that he opens his mouth wider
• Do not force the nipple in, give the baby a chance to latch on naturally.
• Spread a little breast milk around the areola to make it easier for the baby to recognize the smell of breast milk and find the breast.
2. Observe How Your Baby Sucks
   • Effective suction: deep, slow, rhythmic, accompanied by swallowing sounds
   • The baby's jaw movements are seen to be regular.
   • If suction is not optimal: gently release, then assist reattachment.
3. Make sure the baby's nose is not covered
   • Check the position: the baby's face is attached to the breast, but the nose remains free.
   • If the nose is closed, pull the baby's body closer to the mother so that the head is slightly away from the breast.
   • You can also gently press the top of the breast with your finger to allow the baby to breathe freely.
4. How to Remove Breasts Safely
   Do not pull the nipple directly from the baby's mouth. This can cause sore or cracked nipples. You can remove the breast by positioning your little finger in the corner of the baby's mouth, gently inserting the tip of your finger until it touches the gums/palate, and letting air in until the suction is released. Then, gently pull the nipple out after the suction is released. When doing this, be sure to wash your hands first.

Breastfeeding Positions to Avoid

1. Mother bends over → makes her back ache quickly
2. Baby's body is far from the breast → attachment is not optimal
3. The baby's head and body are not aligned → the baby has difficulty swallowing comfortably
4. Breastfeeding from only one breast → unbalanced milk production, risk of engorgement or mastitis

Important Tips

Breastfeeding is a learned skill that requires practice and patience. Don't hesitate to consult a breastfeeding counselor or lactation consultant if you experience any difficulties.

Article written by Dr. Erlina Masniari Napitupulu, M.Ked(Ped), Sp.A (Pediatric Specialist and Lactation Counselor at EMC Sentul Hospital).