Pregnancy Videos | Baby Second Latch

Follow up pregnancy videos series on ‘First Latch’, this pregnancy video ‘Second Latch’ is showing excellent practice in lactation support. Mother and baby are both comfortable, Dr Jack Newman is quiet and respectful of them both. No coercion is happening at all, no hands are on the back of baby’s head, trying to force matters. Notice that when the mother trails her nipple across the baby’s top lip, and the baby opens its mouth really wide in response, that the mother and Dr Jack move the baby forward ever so slightly from the supportive position of holding the baby’s shoulders and the base of the neck. Nothing is pushing this baby out of alignment, just the whole body moving forward a quarter inch so that ‘gape’ now has a lot of breast in it.

If you think about it, and put your own hand on the back of your head now and push… what happens? Your head moves down, your mouth closes and your throat is constricted. This is not gong to help you open your mouth really wide and swallow well. Baby’s head actually needs to move back and up, not forward and down. The positioning of the baby (presenting the baby to the breast) and the calm and confident way the mother is holding and supporting the baby along her body and on the shoulders and base of the neck, is allowing this baby to ‘gape’ without any stress. 

Pregnancy Video - Second Latch

Dr Jack discusses this so clearly in this video, that the conversation is just as valuable as seeing that powerful little mouth work that breast tissue and get load of milk!

What he’s saying, and showing, makes good sense. Mothers need to be confident and supported and relaxed, and babies need to be with their mothers. A good milk supply comes from letting the baby have as much access to the breast as possible in the vital first few weeks. Taking baby off the breast, sticking a dummy or pacifier in its mouth when it cries, scheduling feeds for set times and for set amounts of time, having one bottle of top up formula to keep Grandmother happy… all these things can compromise your milk supply in the first few weeks. So be aware of the effect of such interventions, and use them wisely.

By BreastfeedingBabies

Pregnancy Videos | Baby First Latch On

Pregnancy Videos on how your child able to get a proper latch to prevent sore nipples and overfull breasts (engorgement). Step on making milk flow properly, stimulate a good milk supply that satisfy your baby’s appetite.

Pregnancy Video - First Latch

Summary of the pregnancy videos

This is pregnancy video First Latch by the wonderful Dr Jack Newman, showing a classic cross-cradle hold, and a baby latching well. Notice how gentle and respectful of the baby Dr Newman, and the mother, are. Only two interventions happen - one to pull the baby’s hand gently out of the camera view - so you can see what’s happening, and one very gentle encouraging finger to the chin after latch has happened.

This baby is small and quite young. Notice how easily the mother is supporting the baby’s shoulders and neck, and managing to keep the length of the baby’s body snug and secure across her body. This can be an excellent hold for new mothers, but all that’s important is that you and baby are comfortable, and the breastfeeding is working well. As baby gets older, and heavier, Mum and Baby will find different holds that keep them both feeling supported and happy.

The important part of this video is what’s happening at the mouth/nipple exchange. You hear Dr Newman say to wait for the ‘gape’ and then you let baby attach. The point is that quite a lot of breast needs to go into the mouth, for milk to transfer.

Baby having too shallow a latch is a classic way to have sore nipples. If it’s painful - something is wrong!

Incidentally that jaw action you see is one reason breastfeeding contributes so much to the overall development of the baby - that jaw action is working on moving the plates in the baby’s head back into place from the birth canal squish, and is building excellent muscle tone in the jaw and face, helping build up to good chewing and speaking skills.

By BreastfeedingBabies

Pregnancy Videos | Breastfeeding Positions

There are few positions for breastfeeding but finding a position that mummy is comfortable with and your baby able to latch to mummy breast easily is what really count. The positions for breastfeeding are Clutch (Football) Hold, Cradle Hold, Cross-Cradle (Transition) Hold, Lying Down (Lying on Side or Flat on Back). There few pointers that mummy have to take notes of when breastfeeding your baby are:

• Find a comfortable place to breastfeed
• Choose a supportive chair with arm rests when nursing your baby sitting up
• Skin-to-skin contact with mummy will stimulates your baby.
• Keep them them awake and alert during breastfeed.
• Do not swaddle your baby while nursing.
• Get several pillows handy for comfort.
• Tuck your baby in close, make sure her whole body is well supported and her head, neck, and back are in a straight line.
• You shouldn’t be leaning back or forward as you get ready to bring your baby to your breast.

You have to try a few nursing positions to see what works best for you and your baby during your baby’s first weeks.

Pregnancy videos on Breastfeeding Positions

The breastfeeding positions summary

Clutch (Football) Hold

When this works best: This can be one of the easiest positions to use with a newborn. It works well if you have large breasts, if your baby has latch-on or sucking problems, if you’ve had a cesarean, if your baby arches at the breast, if you have a rapid milk ejection reflex, if your baby is small, or if you have twins. This position allows you to see your baby latch on, giving you better control.

How to do it: Sit in a comfortable chair. Use pillows, if needed, under your baby to bring her to breast level, and for support under your arm. In this position, your baby is lying alongside you, upper back resting on your forearm with her neck supported by your hand. Her head faces your breast. Your hips are flexed, bottom rests against the chair back, and feet point to the ceiling. Your opposite hand will support your breast. Your baby should not be so far forward that she has to bend her neck to latch on.

Cradle Hold

When this works best: Experienced breastfeeding moms will be most comfortable with this common position. New moms often find it difficult to control the baby’s head and watch latch-on in this position.

How to do it: Sit in a comfortable chair. Use pillows, if needed, under your baby to bring her to breast level and for support under your forearm. Your baby will be on her side, her chest facing your chest. Make sure her lower arm is comfortably placed along her side. When nursing from the left breast, cradle your baby’s head in the crook of the left arm, and her back will be along your inner arm and palm. If you look down at your little one, you will see her side. Use the opposite hand to support your breast.

Cross-Cradle (Transition) Hold

When this works best: This position works well for feeding a newborn, for babies with difficulty latching (and staying) on, and for small or premature babies. This position allows you to see your baby latch on, giving you better control.

How to do it: Sit in a comfortable chair. Support your baby with a pillow on your lap to raise her to breast level, and use pillows as needed to support your arms and hands. Your baby will be lying on her side, facing you. Support your breast with the hand on the side that you will feed your baby (left breast, left hand). Use your other arm to support your baby’s body. Guide her to your breast, placing your hand on her neck, the palm of your hand between her shoulder blades.

Lying Down (Lying on Side or Flat on Back)

When this works best: Lying down can be very helpful when a baby is having trouble nursing. It is also a good choice when you want to get rest while your baby nurses, if you have a very abundant milk supply, and if you must remain flat after a cesarean. This position may take a little practice, but it’s well worth the effort.

How to do it: Lie on your side on the bed with your baby facing you. Tuck pillows behind your back and your baby’s back, and under your head and upper knee, as needed for comfort and support. Your bottom arm can be up or held slightly below shoulder level, cradling your baby’s head. Her ear, shoulder, and hip should be in a straight line, with her knees pulled in close. You can feed from both breasts, leaning over your baby to offer the other side, or hold your baby to your chest and roll to the other side. If you want to lie on your back and nurse, drape your baby across your body and allow her to latch on. You can also sit on the side of the bed and get your baby latched on and then lie back.

Safety Notes

Pain is an indication that something is wrong. Though passing nipple tenderness is normal in the first few days, if nursing hurts or you have trouble positioning your baby, get help. Breastfeeding should be comfortable, even in the early weeks. Schedule a visit with a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) who can observe a complete feed and offer recommendations.
Pillows can pose a suffocation hazard for babies, so remove any pillows under your baby when it’s time to sleep.

By GorgeousBabyGiraffe