Breastfeeding position mistakes to avoid

I delivered my son 9 years ago. Determined to breastfeed. I had just gotten out of a C-section. I am not exaggerating when I tell you, the pain I felt while breastfeeding, was way worst than my C-section pain and recovery.

I remember feeling pain in my toes and fingers every time anyone told me my son was hungry. I had chapped bleeding nipples and endless pain.

I had heard about proper breastfeeding positions and tried my best to do it. But it didn’t work.

2 years later I became a lactation consultant and I learned all the mistakes I made during breastfeeding. I am about to share them with you below.

Breastfeeding Position Mistakes 1: Wrong Tummy position.

I did this mistake and it’s the number 1 mistake I see with new mothers at the clinic. 

Mistake: The baby’s tummy is often facing the ceiling. The baby has to turn his/her face right or left to be able to breastfeed. This is wrong. Imagine drinking water with your head tilted to the right. It would be impossible.

The correct way: Your baby’s tummy should basically be facing your tummy. This allows the baby to feed without turning their head right or wrong.

Breastfeeding Position Mistake 2: Baby’s body is horizontal

Mistake: Baby is lying horizontal. Probably on a pillow. This is wrong.Imagine you were asleep and trying to drink water. It wouldn’t work.

The correct way: your baby’s head should be above the rest of their body. They should be laying in a vertical way. 

Breastfeeding Position Mistake 3:

Mistake: The baby’s head is tilted inward. Almost squished to breastfeed. Imagine drinking water with your head tilted down. It would be impossible.

The correct way: your baby’s head needs to be VERY comfortable. Anyone looking should see your baby is feeding very comfortably. The neck is straight and comfortable and no squishing.

Breastfeeding Position Mistake 4: Mom Controls Baby’s Head

Mistake: The mom is controlling the baby’s head. Guiding it on where to go.

The right way: The mom should simply support the neck slightly, and allow the baby to control the placement of their head to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding Position Mistake 5:

Mistake: The mom is often holding her breast, holding It over the baby’s head. The baby can only accept the breast, with no option of backing out. This causes the baby to bite down on the nipples.

The right way: The mom should be laid back. The baby’s head is over the mother. The baby can control unlatching whenever he/she wants.

How to avoid breastfeeding wrong latch:

To avoid having a wrong latch, here are some KEY things to do and remember.

1. While at the hospital, ask the hospital staff to NOT give your baby a bottle or pacifier. Allow the baby to latch from you first. This allows them to latch correctly instinctively. Giving them a bottle or pacifier often prevents them from learning how to breastfeed appropriately.
2. Allow your baby to latch naturally. Do not force your baby to latch in the way you think is correct. We don’t know how to breastfeed instinctively, but babies do!
3. If you feel pain, re-adjust the position until you find a comfortable one.

If you can’t fix the breastfeeding latch on your own. You must take action.

If you can’t fix the breastfeeding pain within the first day it arises. Seek help immediately. Breastfeeding pain is HORRIBLE. And most women will stop breastfeeding because of it. or they’ll resort to pumping and soon get exhausted from pumping. Here is what to do (and not to do) instead.

1. Call a lactation consultant. Try to see a lactation consultant who can visit you at the hospital or perhaps you can go to her as soon as you’re out. She might also be able to come to your house. Regardless, see a lactation consultant. I regret not seeing a lactation consultant at the time and getting the help  I needed instead of the torture I felt for 4 weeks.
   1. A lactation consultant should be able to fix your position.
   2. If she fixes the position and the pain continues, she will look into wether or not your baby might have a  tongue tie.
2. If the pain continues after the lactation visit, ask to see if your baby has a tongue tie. Unfortunately, not many doctors know how to diagnose tongue ties. A tongue tie could be causing this pain. Some tongue ties release on their own within weeks, and for others, they cause constant pain. A 10 minute tongue tie release may be necessary for you and your baby.

What NOT to do if you have breastfeeding pain:

• Do not use nipple shields (they won’t work most of the the time. I tried and failed. It made my pain worse).
• Do not resort to pumping right away, I have seen many moms think “Fine, I’ll pump”. Which is very valid and is definitely a great solution BUT only as a final resort. Pumping is very difficult on the mother and time consuming in comparison to breast-feeding directly. It involves cleaning pumps, bottles, sterilizing, and being away from your baby from 20-40 mins which is very difficult without help at home. Most mothers who must pump give up early.
• Do not give up. There are solutions to breastfeeding pain. Get them as soon as possible.

Breastfeeding is a beautiful experience. It should NOT be painful. Do the changes necessary until you get an easy experience.