Steps to Correct Attachment
• Position yourself comfortably.
• Take your time. Rushing only causes stress for you and your baby.
• Maximise skin to skin contact, ensuring your breast is free of clothing and your
baby is unwrapped.
• Hold your baby close with his/her chest facing your chest. Turn your baby’s body
towards you. Your baby should not have to turn his/her head to grasp the breast.
• It may be necessary to support the breast with your thumb and fingers on either
side of the breast, well back from the areolar.
• Bring your baby to the breast, but do not force his/her head on.
• If correct attachment is achieved, you should not feel any undue discomfort. Initial
attachment may cause transient discomfort (due to ‘nipple stretch’) but this should
cease after 10–15 seconds of sucking. Detach your baby immediately and seek
assistance if pain persists. If it becomes necessary to remove the baby from your
breast, slip your little finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the suction.
• Your baby’s chin should be against the breast and nose free. You should not have
to press down on your breast to provide your baby with nose clearance. If the nose
is not clear, try tilting your baby’s head so the chin moves closer into your breast.
• Allow sucking to continue until your baby detaches him/herself.
• When well attached, your baby should be sucking and swallowing in a rhythmic
pattern with deep jaw movement. If you are concerned that your baby is sucking
more than swallowing please ask your midwife to observe a feed.
After your baby is born you will be given guidance for collecting and storing
breast milk.
Breastfeeding
support
There are numerous avenues for
support for breastfeeding.
• Mitcham Private Hospital
provides a comprehensive
education programme and a
complete breastfeeding service.
This includes a breastfeeding
clinic, education and resource
materials.
• Midwives
• Child Health Clinic
• Lactation consultants
• Australian Breastfeeding
Association
• Website:
www.breastfeeding.asn.au
• Helpline: 1800 686 2 686
or 1800 MUM 2 MUM
30 Mitcham Maternity Childbirth and Parent Education
Info
to
note