Assisting Mother to Breast Feed

1. Wash your hands
2. Have mother wash her hands. Nipples are washed with plain water in circular motion from nipple outward
3. Help mother to a comfortable position
4. in a chair with feet on a stool
5. in bed with pillows behind back and head for support; adjust pillows until mother is comfortable
6. Change baby's diaper if needed
7. Bring baby to mother
8. Have mother to touch infant's cheek on side nearest the breast. This stimulates the rooting reflex and causes the newborn to turn toward the nipple
9. Mother holds back breast tissue so the baby can "latch on" to the nipple and most of the area. The infant's lips should cover the area. Baby's tongue should be under the nipple
10. Baby should nurse for about 10 minutes on each breast. Sucking will be more vigorous on the first breast, and baby will empty that one faster. If baby falls asleep during feeding, mother can remove the baby from the breast. Awake baby by washing face, changing diaper or tapping feet. Put baby back to breast.
11. Remind mother how to remove baby from the beast: by inserting her finger into corner of the baby's mouth to break the suction
12. Mother burps the baby before moving baby to the other breast
13. When feeding is over, change diaper
14. Place baby in a safe and comfortable position
15. Mother may massage a little milk/colostrum on nipple after feeding. Breast may be air dried. Nipples should be kept dry. Breast pads may be used as needed and changed when wet
16. Assist mother with dressing, if necessary. A nursing bra may be worn
17. Record what you have done and report any abnormal findings