d. Learning to Breastfeed

Begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after the delivery. The baby is most awake and ready to learn how to breastfeed during the first two hours after birth. Breastfeeding as soon as possible after delivery will favour skin to skin contact with your baby and will help you produce more milk.

Once you are in a comfortable position, you are ready to offer your breast to your baby. The cross cradle position may be the best position for the learning period.

Babies often suck better if their skin is in contact with the mother's skin. They will keep warm from being skin to skin with you. In the beginning, undress the baby down to just their diaper prior to feeds to help keep baby awake at the breast. Some infants find the breast and latch on correctly from the first tries. Others need help. The following pictures provide a few tips to help your baby accept the breast correctly.

The following video shows a baby well positioned on the breast.

Feed the baby before he or she gets upset or cries loudly. Crying is a late sign of hunger. The baby will show signs of hunger long before starting to cry.

Your baby can

• have rapid eye movements under the eyelids when he/she begins waking up to drink.
• make sucking and licking movements with his/her mouth.
• put his/her hand in his/her mouth.
• stretch and become more agitated.
• make small noises.

A sign that the baby is hungry.