Positioning & Attachment to Breast

For effective sucking there should be correct positioning of the baby’s body and proper attachment of baby’s mouth to the breast.

Mother can breastfeed her baby in any comfortable position such as sitting, lying or standing. If the baby suckles properly the breast, s/he will get enough milk.

• CORRECT POSITIONING:-
  1. Baby’s head, shoulder and buttock are in a straight line.
  2. Baby’s body turned towards mother, his face should face the breast with nose opposite the nipple.
  3. Baby’s body touching mother’s abdomen.
  4. Baby’s whole body well supported with mother’s hand on baby’s buttock and not just only his neck or shoulder.
• PROPER ATTACHMENT:-
  

  For proper attachment of breast, following steps should be done.

  1. Baby’s chin touching the breast.
  2. Baby’s mouth wide open.
  3. Baby’s lower lip exerted.
  4. Upper areola more visible than the lower.
• CAUSE OF POOR ATTACHMENT :-
  
  1. Use of feeding bottle
  2. Inexperience of mother
  3. Lack of skilled support are common.