Checklist for Good Nursing

POSITION

Baby is “belly to belly” with mother- rolled toward mother, not dangling away
Baby is at the same level as the breast (support with pillows as needed)
Mother is aligned sitting straight up or leaning forward slightly if sitting, so that baby doesn’t have to “stretch” for the breast
Baby is lined up straight with his ears, shoulders, and hips in a straight line, so s/he doesn’t have to turn his head to nurse
Try three different positions while in hospital- cradle hold, football, and lying down
Later try “Australian” or cross-over lying down

Baby’s mouth is wide open and full of breast, “AAH”, not “OOH”
Lips flanged out (like a fish mouth)
Chin touching or very close to the breast
Cheeks not puckered in (not “prissy lips”)
Ears wiggle as the jaw moves
Mothers feels the latch-on like “tugging”, may be tender, should be tolerable and get better as feeding progresses

May or may not feel cramping and increased blood flow on pad while nursing (first week only), THIRST
After first week: May hear baby gulping and swallowing
May or may not feel tingling sensation and leaking from opposite breast
Breasts may feel softer after nursing

Sucks off and on, irregular pattern, may rest a little or lose interest at first, can nurse up to 20-40 minutes at a feeding, then drowse off
May or may not be interested in the second side
May poop or pass gas while nursing due to reflex

After feeding, nipple looks rosy and may be “stretched out” looking at first
Nipple should NOT be blanched white, mashed flat, bruised, cut or bleeding- these are signs of poor positioning and latch that should be CORRECTED