As Robert S. Mendelsohn rightly said, “Mother’s milk, time-tested for millions of years, is the best nutrient for babies because it is nature’s perfect food.”

If you are a mother, you can certainly relate to it. However, breastfeeding is one extremely challenging job. Many gynaecologists and obstetricians encounter new, inexperienced mother panicking due to not being able to nurse properly. So, today we are offering some tips for new mothers and moms-to-be to have a somewhat more comfortable nursing time.

1. Position yourself comfortably. If you are not comfortable, neither will be your baby.
2. There is no perfect rule, so choose what works best for you. Experiment and pick between couch, bed and rocking chair.
3. Place as many pillows you need under back, lap or legs for support and comfort.
4. Hold and cradle your baby on the same side as the breast you want to nurse with. Use a pillow for support, if needed.
5. You have an overactive ‘super baby’, you can hold her lower arm under your arm to mitigate the possibility of interference.
6. Cup your breast and let your baby latch onto it gently. It might take several attempts before the baby stay latched on, so be patient.
7. Once the baby starts feeding, hold her close to support and encourage the nursing.
8. After the baby is done, don’t pull out your nipple instantly, as it may cause injury to your nipples. Instead, insert a finger in her mouth to break off the contact gently.

Ideally, each session of breastfeeding last only several minutes, but quite frequently, as your baby’s stomach is small and digestion is quite fast. Stay prepared to get in action every few hours. Feel free to try out different lactating position to find the one working best for you. As a tip to relax, you can play some music or instrumental in a mild tone. It will encourage you to relax, have happy thoughts and focus on your bond with your baby.

While breastfeeding, you may encounter many complications such as insufficient milk supply, sore or cracked nipples etc. Moreover, if you had a high-risk pregnancy or preterm birth, your baby might have a problem latching on. Instead of enduring all the discomfort or depression, seek help. As you might need special guidance or equipment from your gynaecologist or obstetrician, get in touch with one.

Breastfeeding is a rather special time of your life. Do all you can to make this memorable and comfortable.