The suction of the baby and positions to breastfeed

The suction of the baby is a process learned inside the maternal womb, that is, when babies are born they already know how to suckle. Around 16 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus swallows the amniotic fluid and in week 20 the suction reflex appears; but they do not manage to coordinate both reflexes unti

The suction of the baby is a process learned inside the maternal womb, that is, when babies are born they already know how to suckle. Around 16 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus swallows the amniotic fluid and in week 20 the suction reflex appears; but they do not manage to coordinate both reflexes until week 32 of gestation. And precisely, it is for this reason that premature babies born before these weeks are not able to feed themselves.

The correct and incorrect suction of the baby

We speak of a correct suction, when it allows the baby to feed without causing discomfort or pain to the mother; while a suction is incorrect when as a consequence of it we have cracks in the nipples, pain, little weight gain, irritability ...

We can also speak of nutritive suction, which is one whose purpose is to feed the baby; and a 'comfort' suction, when the baby uses the mother's breast as a 'pacifier' to calm down or feel safe. Do not despise, or try to eliminate the latter, since it is an optimal opportunity for the mother to caress her son, talk to her, sing to her ...

Our son, like all mammalian babies, is able to reach the breast and start breastfeeding by itself, if we allow it. It has been seen that, in terms of the baby's grip on the nipple and chest, it is better if we let it arise spontaneously, without using techniques. We can 'lend him a hand', holding the chest between his thumb and index finger, and let him search for it and hold on to it.

How to identify a good grip of the baby at the mother's breast

These signs can help the mother to identify a good grip:

1. The baby's chin and nose are close to the mother's breast.
2. The baby's lips are everted, especially the lower, well bent down.
3. The baby's mouth is wide open.
4. More areola is seen above the baby's mouth than below.

Position of the baby to the mother's breast

There are many positions, all valid, and even recommended, since combining them allows to empty all the ducts correctly, and avoid the possible appearance of mastitis. To assess whether the position is correct, we can be guided by the following:

1. The baby's head and body are in a straight line.
2. The baby's face looks towards the chest.
3. The mother keeps the baby's body close to her.
4. If the baby is a newborn, the mother wraps him in a hug. It does not only hold the head and shoulders.

Signs of a good suckling of the baby

Initially, the suction is fast and superficial, which stimulates the ejection reflex of the breast milk. After about a minute it changes to slow and deep suctions, with intermediate pauses. The normal rhythm of a newborn's sucking is of chained cycles of 10 to 30 suctions, in which the baby breathes normally without interrupting the suction. The normal thing is that, if there is ambient silence, you can listen as you swallow for a few minutes in each shot, while watching a wide jaw movement.

In addition, the mother who is breastfeeding her baby will be able to see that:

1. The baby's tongue is under the areola.
2. A movement is observed at the point of articulation of the jaw.
3. The cheeks do not sink, but they look round and full.