You may think that breastfeeding is a natural thing, therefore it must be easy to do! And then find that it is not as easy or intuitive as we may have hoped!
You and your baby (even if it’s your 2nd, 3rd, or beyond) are learning together how to nurse! It takes time, and unfortunately may include some pain and tears!
Let’s go over some tips on how to approach breastfeeding a newborn, and what to do if you do have some nipple damage or soreness!
Breastfeeding a Newborn 3 Tips
Breastfeeding a newborn can be challenging, and an initial latch issue can cause a lot of damage.
With my first, we had such bad damage that nursing was incredibly painful for a week or so, and I wanted to quit nursing so badly. But, we made it to 2.5 years! So, there is hope!
Tips:
- Skin to Skin
- Flipple Method for Latch
- Silverettes & Address Nipple Soreness/Damage
Learn more about newborn care in our online course! The course breaks down what to expect from the moment they are born up to a month postpartum!
1. Skin to Skin
Skin-to-skin is a great way to promote breastfeeding! If you are finding that your baby’s latch is not great, sometimes doing some skin-to-skin can even help with their latch!
I place my baby directly onto my chest before nursing, then we nurse skin to skin. I cover her back in a blanket to keep her warm, but the direct body contact also supports warmth too!
2. The Flipple Method: Focus on their latch
This is the method I teach to my doula clients when they are holding their brand-new babies!
First, we start in a cross-cradle hold. This means that you have your baby’s back of the neck in your palm, with the forearm down their back. Ensure your hand is not directly on the back of their head, but rather towards the nape of the neck.
Then you use the same side hand to grab the breast to navigate your nipple into their mouth.
This hold allows you to better see what is going on and control their head for a great latch.
Grab your breast so that you can guide your nipple towards your baby’s mouth.
Extend their head, so their chin is towards the nipple. You can even bring their nose closer to the nipple.
When baby opens their mouth wide, flip their head onto the nipple for a deep latch!
Sometimes you can even flick their chin to open their mouth even more too.
Baby’s mouth should be pursed and their cheeks full for a good, deep latch! You should also hear swallowing sounds not slurping or sucking noises. You should feel a tugging or pulling sensation on the nipple.
If you find that you do not have a good latch or you feel a pinching or chomping sensation on the nipple, gently break the seal by placing your finger on the side of your baby’s mouth. Then retry finding a deep latch.
3. Silverettes: Support Nipple Soreness and Damage!
Silverettes are our go-to newborn breastfeeding tool! Silverettes are made with real silver, which has healing, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties.
Silverettes are seriously MAGIC. I had some initial damage to my nipple from a poor initial latch, and by the next nursing session, I was no longer in pain! I gift these to my doula clients because of how helpful they are for nursing comfort.
How to use Silverettes:
- Place directly on the nipple in between nursing sessions
- Take off when nursing.
- You may find some breastmilk has pooled into the cup, so be mindful when taking off or you’ll just have some milk on your clothes (like that’s anything new right now).
2 More Ways to Address Nipple Soreness and Damage
Nipple Damage can sometimes be part of the nursing journey as you and your baby figure out breastfeeding. BUT usually, if it is getting worse with each feeding seeking out the help of a lactation consultant is recommended!
Causes for Nipple Damage:
- Poor Latch
- Body Tension
- Oral Restriction
I found taking my newborn to see a Webster-certified chiropractor and craniosacral therapist helped a lot with her oral restrictions and body tension, and dramatically improved her latch after a few days!
1. Nipple Cream and Nursing Pads
Nipple Creams like lanolin or coconut oil can help soothe and aid in the healing of the nipples. My favorite brand is Mother Love!
The nipple cream can also prevent your nipples from sticking to your bra, which can continue to damage sensitive skin!
I found that putting on a nursing pad also helped with the “sticking” and opted to wear a nursing pad to support healing. I would put a little of the cream directly on the pad to aid in the sticking.
2. Epsom Salt Soak
Epsom salt soaks can help aid in the healing of damaged nipples.
How to do the soak:
- Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon in 1 cup of warm water.
- Place that solution in some small bowl/shot glass
- Place on the nipple for 5-10 mins 2-3 times a day!
Support Your Breastfeeding Journey
Breastfeeding requires A LOT of support! You and your baby are working together to figure it out, and then you may have issues with the latch or nipple damage.
Focusing on your positioning, releasing your baby’s body tension and oral restrictions, and supporting your baby’s latch can help your journey.
If you do have damage, there is a lot we can do to support healing, such as using Silverettes, nipple creams, and Epsom salt soaks!
Learn more about newborn care in our online course! The course breaks down what to expect from the moment they are born up to a month postpartum!
This webinar will discuss what to expect in the first few weeks in caring for your newborn, to include different options that are available to you, when to seek additional help, and guiding you in your initial feeding journey.
- 2-hr webinar
- PDF of PowerPoint
- Upcoming Live Webinar & Q&A
- Watch on Mobile Device