The Miskin method is an approach that starts with you, the mum and this is something that weaves its way into every aspect of breastfeeding and baby care. When breastfeeding works for you, it will work for your baby because caring for baby, is important to you.
When considering how to make breastfeeding more comfortable, start with the area that feels most uncomfortable to you.
Aim for comfort – not perfection – I appreciate that when you see a mum breastfeeding a little baby in the coffee shop around the corner, it looks effortless (and if you are a competitive personality like me, you’ll expect to achieve this 20 minutes after birth). In the early days, you are not aiming for this as effortless positioning and attachment comes with practice. You too will be able to easily latch baby onto the breast, just don’t expect to be able to do it on day one and don’t feel clumsy and like a failure if you are still learning by day 31. Easy latching will become easier as you and baby learn together, so whilst you are both learning, aim for comfort rather than perfection.
Get comfortable first – then bring baby into the equation – Consider how you would sit if you weren’t going to breastfeed. Get comfortable and then bring baby onto the equation. Use cushions, pillows or rolled up towels to help support baby, so that breastfeeding is comfortable, supported and workable. There is no right or wrong in the early days, just ensure that you are comfortable and that sitting in your chosen position is something you will be able to do for at least 45 minutes.
Early day feeding positions are transient – so find what works for you. How you position yourself in the early days just after birth, is very different to how you position baby at 6 weeks. Why? Some births lead to mums feeling more sensitive when sitting upright.
If your bottom is sore, don’t force the issue of ‘sitting upright with a straight back, feet on the ground and legs at 90 degree angle to the floor’ find a position that is comfortable for you. Some mums find that they are more comfortable if they sit with their legs crossed, or their feet on the coffee table or lying down, so that baby doesn’t push down on their baby bump. Consider these transient positions and soon you will be confident and comfortable feeding in any position.
Be creative with your support pillows or cushions – Many mums buy a ‘V’ shaped or ‘C’ shaped breastfeeding cushion. Mums are advised to place these on their laps and to lie baby on top but then the cushions slip away and baby drags down. Instead, you can try positioning the cushion to the side of you, with one arm supporting your lower back and the other arm around your front, to support or raise baby.
If your baby is tiny and you don’t need to use your breastfeeding cushion for support around the side or front, you can put the cushion behind you, with the arms nicely hugging your waist. This will give you great lower back support and relief and arm rests, so that you can comfortably support your baby.
Change the elements that don’t work for you – If you find that one particular element of breastfeeding just doesn’t work, change it. If it doesn’t work for YOU, it’s not going to work for baby. This is something I’m really passionate about and really want to bring home to mums. There is not just one way to sit, position or latching your baby, so you need to find a way that works for you.
A non-breastfeeding example – You want to get to Waitrose as quickly as possible, so you decide to take the shortest route. On your route, you find road works, so change your mind and turn down a side road. To your horror, you find 3 learner divers at a pedestrian crossing – waiting for pedestrians to cross – who haven’t even reached the crossing. You U turn and go the long way round and find clear roads, dappled sunshine through the trees, you feel great and crank up the radio. You still get to Waitrose – just not on the route you originally planned. Next time, you may just opt for the long route anyway, because you know that it will most probably work well again.
A breastfeeding example – A good example here is larger breasted mums who struggle to position their baby nose to nipple, when they can’t see their nipple. Of course it’s going to be a struggle and not enjoyable but there is an easy simple solution. You could prop a rolled up muslin underneath the breast, right up against your ribs to lift the breast. Not only will this raise the breast, so that you have a clearer idea of how to position your baby, but you will also feel more supported and stable, so that breastfeeding feels more comfortable. This may just be a temporary tool until you get to grips with breastfeeding and feel more confident with positioning and latching when your breast is at rest.
Breastfeeding doesn’t need to be perfect, your baby doesn’t care how he or she is positioned provided there is easy, unrestricted access to the breast and lots of warm milk to fill an empty little tummy.
Come and meet me at a Breastfeeding Workshop or at my weekly Breastfeeding Clinic in Teddington.
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