Thanks to my big sister Linda for writing this article. She is a La Leche League leader, a certified lacatation consultant, and, as we like to call her in our family, the "Grand Poobah" of breastfeeding information.
Nurturing your baby through breastfeeding is a natural way to meet both of your needs. Satisfying your baby’s hunger as soon as he shows hunger signs teaches him that the world is a safe place to live. Breasts are multi-purposeful , providing comfort, ease, distraction and attachment. Your body can provide comfort when she hurts, distraction when she’s fussy, ease when you need to get things done and she wants to be held, and increased bonding every time you hold her.
The babyTrekker was created by Judy, a busy mother who breastfed on the go right from the start. You may be wondering how to breastfeed in the Trekker. I know some of you have had experience with other carriers that don’t contain this possibility in their design.
I often start at the beginning. If I met you during your pregnancy, I would encourage you to get a doula (www.dona.com), which often helps to reduce birth interventions that may interfere with breastfeeding. Of course I share information about attending a LLL meeting (www.LLLI.org) or a local breastfeeding group so that you can see and hear some great suggestions for a wonderful start.
Next I would advocate for you to have your brand new baby placed skin to skin on your belly immediately after birth. If that’s not possible, skin to skin contact as soon as possible after the birth to help begin the hormonal and emotional connection between the two of you. Baby’s naked chest against yours will awaken your baby’s instinctual need to start moving towards his earliest place of comfort, your breast. Her little toes will dig in, her eyes and hands will search for the target, she’ll smell her hand which should still have some amniotic fluid on it which smells like your breastmilk. Often she’ll search with her hand to feel the bump of your nipple and she will bob, and move towards it. You can offer some guidance by placing your hand on his back or his bum. The baby who starts out this way often instinctually digs her chin into the breast, opens her mouth wide and latches on beautifully. Health professionals refer to this as an asymmetrical latch. http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/bla.html Ask for help if you need it from your health provider, a La Leche Leader www.LLLI.com or a lactation consultant www.ilca.org.
The babyTrekker is set up perfectly for comfortable nursing. To nurse on the right breast, loosen the left shoulder strap to bring your baby in a diagonal position with your baby’s nose opposite to your nipple. With the palm of your hand between baby’s shoulders, you can make sure the baby’s chest nestles against yours. Allow your baby’s head to tip back slightly, so her chin comes against your breast first. He can then grasp a good portion of the areola, and you don’t have to hold your breast. You may have a baby who gets her hand in the way, remember this is an instinctual move on the baby’s part, she’s smelling and feeling for your nipple. Let her bob forward or lunge onto your breast, it’s right there, free for a nibble and a nap.
Judy’s sister (also Canadian eh!
Babies are either he or she so I am alternating them to be inclusive.
babyTrekkers are also multi-purposeful, and these same reasons apply.
