59: Pain-Free Breastfeeding: Try Correcting Positional Errors!

Hey Mamas, today I want to share with you the super simple but super common position mistakes that moms are making and don’t even know it! Because let’s face it, you are mentally managing so many things when practicing a new skill. But hey, I promise that checking in to avoid these mistakes can pay dividends to your breastfeeding experience and outcomes. And here’s why, you and your baby’s position during breastfeeding impacts their latch which in turn has a direct impact on your nipples, your baby’s ability to get milk out of your breasts to get enough to eat, and your body’s health. I’ll explain more as we go through these three common positional mistakes and how to fix them simply and effectively in today’s episode.

Okay mama, the first and really common mistake is lining your nipple up to their mouth. This sounds counterintuitive but let me explain. When you are holding your baby and offer them your nipple to breastfeed, your nipple should actually be lined up with their nose or at least the space right under their nose. Here’s why: not only do babies smell their way to the milk in the early days, but they do what's called a gape before they latch. It means they tilt their little heads back and open their mouth wide to latch onto the nipple. When your nipple is more in line with their nose, they do indeed tilt back to open their mouth wider in order  to get your nipple into their mouth which results in that wider more optimal latch. But, when the nipple is in front of or on their lips there’s no need to open wider to latch, sometimes they even just suck the nipple in. This can cause a shallow latch, a painful latch, and what I like to refer to as slurping or straw drinking at the breast which is just simply ouch. So check-in one: line up your nipple to their nose.

The second positional mistake that happens is then their little face is facing your nipple (of course because it’s in their mouth) but their hips are rolling out or away. It’s like, they are laying in your arms and then just turn their head to nurse. But breastfeeding is a whole body event. There will come a day, when they are several months old and can and will try to breastfeed while doing acrobatics, but the first few months is not that time. So take that little bottom and roll it in toward you so their belly button is on you. Another way to double check this is to see if you can draw an invisible line with your eyes from their ear, to their shoulder, to their hip. It should be in a line. If you get to the hips and the line curves back- roll them in. This one is really common and breastfeeding pillows can actually make it worse, because babies sometimes sink into the pillow or the gap. So if you use one, remember to use it to support your body and have baby on you, then you can make sure their hips aren’t rolling out.

Which brings me to number three on my list. You are holding your baby in an uncomfortable position for you. Gosh I see this a lot when getting a baby to latch feed well is tricky, and mom fears moving her body to get comfortable because it might unlatch her baby. Sometimes this is the case just in general because we get so focused on our babies we forget to check in with our own comfort! This leads to back pain, tightness in the body, even wrist pain can result from  holding baby’s throughout the day in awkward positions. If for some reason you need to latch in a certain position right now, remember to then gently lean back and have a loved one place some pillows to support your body so that you can relax during the feed. It is normal to be able to relax during breastfeeding.

If you are a very visual person, then you can find visual examples of each of these in my Newborn Infant Feeding Course, there’s even a few examples in the free part of the course so I encourage you to take a peek at that if seeing examples of optimal positioning would be helpful. I’ll put a link in the show description.

Now I want to mention one other mistake. Probably the biggest one that causes the most issues. And that is, when you are attempting these adjustments but you are still having a painful latch and you don’t call for help. The truth is that breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt and if it does then it’s time to get help. Today. Don’t wait until your nipples are more damaged, and you’re dreading your baby’s feedings even more, telling yourself breast is best while holding your breath for the latch. 

Someone listening is thinking, hmm…”I’m not really feeling full-on pain” or “Is what I’m experiencing pain or just discomfort?” If you are questioning it, I am talking to you- mama just make the call. It doesn’t haven’t to be that stressful, in fact my hope for you is to find a good support person that can help turn that ship around before there are layers of issues. Because let’s face it, we are constantly quietly told that breastfeeding problems are normal. Like when the hospital gives out nipple cream, or a well meaning friend gives you nipple shields at your baby shower. But the truth is, a common issue doesn’t make it a normal expected experience you should suffer through. 

And here’s the other truth. You deserve a comfortable latch. Your baby deserves a comfortable latch. So if the voice in your head at any point has said “Is this pain or just discomfort?” Or “Ah maybe I’m just a tender little ninny”. No my friend, you are not a ninny and it’s time to take action to protect your nipples. First check that your baby is lined up nipple to nose (scoot them so they are). Next, roll those hips toward you so they are fully facing you with their whole body. And third, see if you can get a little more comfortable yourself. Lean back and have someone put a pillow where your body needs support. Once you find what’s comfortable you’ll have your nest set up for repeat.

And… if these simple adjustments don’t work, then get help. It’s amazing what a second set of eyes can see from a different angle, especially if they are a good lactation consultant. 

For those  listening to this while pregnant, you are proactive and I applaud you! If you are experiencing breastfeeding challenges, then I wish you good luck and that you don’t hesitate to get help, you deserve it!

If you have any questions I can help you with or want to let me know you are benefiting from the show, please email me at Barbara@FeedingByJanuary.com- I would love to hear from you!