A site for moms and dads during the early years. Find help in having and taking care of a baby and surviving toddlerhood and preschool.

Breastfeeding Baby
in the Beginning

Babies are born to breastfed

As you approach the end of your pregnancy you will find that your breast have become larger and possibly have lactated a bit, even though you have yet to give birth to your baby. This is completely normal and not lactating until your baby is born is also completely normal too. Another thing that is normal and very natural is breastfeeding your baby for the very first time. Now there is the chance that your baby will be a little reluctant to nurse but this is natural and doesn't mean that your breastfeeding relationship is ruined. All babies are different and some will be more likely to latch on and suckle than others, most of the time the very first time that you breastfeed your baby they will latch on and suckle with no or little troubles.

Breastfeeding Reading

Breastfeeding for the First Time

Nursing Newborn

The way you hold you baby will be determined by the breastfeeding position that you are using. Turn the baby so they are facing towards your breast and take your breast and squeeze to express a drop of breast milk. Use two fingers to hold your breast when you are expressing breast milk and use your thumb to gently apply pressure on to your breast, moving it towards your nipple. Then bring your baby's mouth to the nipple. They will taste the breast milk and with the nipple in their mouth will begin to suckle (Shown Left).