Feeding positions for babies with colic

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Various breastfeeding positions

Try different breastfeeding positions to find the one that works best for you and your baby. You can see the options in our selection of photos

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There is no right or wrong way to hold the baby while
feeding, and mom and baby are sure to find their favorite position.
It is important that both you and your child feel comfortable. ^1.2 It's good to learn a few different breastfeeding positions and techniques because life's circumstances often require us to be flexible, especially as your baby gets older and you start to leave the house more often.

Whatever position you choose to breastfeed your baby, remember a few simple rules.

• Prepare everything you need before feeding, including drinks, food, mobile phone, TV remote control, book or magazine. And do not forget to go to the toilet - the feeding process can take a long time!
• Make sure your baby is comfortable. Whichever position you choose, it's important to keep your baby strong, level, and provide good support for their head, neck, and spine.
• You should also be comfortable. Don't stress. If necessary, use pillows of different sizes or rolls of towels to support your back or arms.
• Make sure your baby is latching on correctly. Proper grip is the key to comfort when breastfeeding.
• If your baby does not latch on well or you experience pain while feeding, contact a lactation consultant for help. The specialist will also be able to show you how to hold your baby more comfortably.

1. Relaxed feeding or reclining position

The relaxed feeding position, also known as biological feeding, ¹ is often the first position for most mothers. If, immediately after birth, the baby is placed on the mother’s chest or stomach, normally, he instinctively reaches for the breast and tries to grab the nipple. This phenomenon is known as the breast seeking reflex. Skin-to-skin contact stimulates the infant's feeding instinct, and gravity helps him to latch onto the breast and maintain balance.

But it's not just newborns that can be fed in the reclining position - this position is great for babies of all ages. It can be especially helpful if your baby does not latch well in other positions or does not like to be touched during feeding, and also if you have too much milk flow or too large breasts. Isabelle, a mother from the UK, shares her experience: “I had large breasts, and the baby was born small - 2.7 kg, so it was not easy to find a comfortable position at first. After a few weeks, it became clear that there was no “correct” posture for me. As a result, I most often fed lying down, putting the baby on my chest. ”

It is more convenient to feed not lying flat on your back, but half-sitting, leaning on pillows. So you will have a back support and you will be able to watch the baby during feeding.

2. Cradle position

This is the classic
first thought of breastfeeding. Mom sits straight
, and the baby lies on her side on her arm, pressing his stomach against her stomach. ³ Although this is a very popular position, it is not always easy to master with newborns because it gives the baby less support. Try putting a pillow under your back, and put a special breastfeeding pillow on your knees and lean on it with your hands. So you can more reliably support the child, without overstraining your back and shoulders. Just make sure that the baby does not lie too high on the pillow for feeding. The breast should remain at a natural level so that the baby can grab it without effort, otherwise sore nipples cannot be avoided.

“I breastfed in the cradle position because it suited me perfectly! It was comfortable and I loved just sitting and looking at my little one,” recalls Rachel, a mother of two from Italy.

3. Cross Cradle

This breastfeeding position looks almost the same as Cradle, but the baby is on the other arm. ³ This gives your baby support around the neck and shoulders so he can tilt his head to latch on. This position is great for breastfeeding newborns and small babies, as well as for babies who do not latch well. Since the baby lies completely on the other hand, it becomes easier to control his position and you can adjust the chest with your free hand.

Julie, a UK mother of two, finds this position very practical: “I usually breastfeed my youngest in the cross cradle position. So I have a free second hand, and I can take care of an older baby at the same time. ”

Do not hold the baby's head at first, otherwise you may inadvertently press his chin against his chest. Because of this, the child will not be able to take the breast deeply, because the nipple will rest against the base of the tongue, and not against the palate, which will lead to inflammation of the nipples. As the child grows, this position becomes more comfortable, and he can rest his head on your palm (as shown in the photo above).

4. Underarm breastfeeding

In this position, also known as the “ball grip”, the mother sits with the baby lying along her arm at the side, legs towards the back of the chair (or any other seat). ³ Another comfortable position for newborn breastfeeding, you can give your baby good support, full control of his position and a good view of his face. And the baby feels safe in close contact with the mother's body. This position is especially good for those who have had a caesarean section or a premature birth, as well as mothers of twins and women with large breasts.

“When I breastfed my first daughter, I had very large K-sized breasts—twice the size of her head,” recalls Amy, an Australian mother of two. - I put rolls of towels under each breast, because they were very heavy, and fed my daughter in a pose from under the arm, but only sitting straighter so as not to crush her. This position was also convenient because I had a caesarean section and could not put the baby on my stomach.”

5. Side-lying position

The side-lying position is ideal for a relaxed
nighttime feeding in bed or on the couch. If you had a
caesarean section or ruptures during childbirth, this position may be more comfortable than sitting down. ³ In this position, mother and baby lie side by side, tummy to tummy.

“It was difficult for me to sit during endless night feedings, firstly because of the caesarean section, and secondly because of lack of sleep,” recalls Francesca, a mother from the UK. “And then I discovered that you can feed your baby lying on your side and rest at the same time.”

“Because of the short tongue frenulum, Maisie could only properly latch on to her breasts while lying on her side. The lactation consultant showed me how it's done. In this position, the flow of milk was optimal for my daughter, and it was easier for her to keep the nipple in her mouth. As she got older, she became much better at grabbing her breasts in normal positions,” says Sarah, mother of two from Australia.

6. Relaxed breastfeeding after caesarean section

If you can't find a comfortable position for breastfeeding after caesarean section, ³ try holding the baby on your shoulder in a reclining position – this does not stress the postoperative suture and allows you to breastfeed your baby comfortably. You can also try side feeding.

7. Sitting upright breastfeeding or “koala pose”

When breastfeeding in an upright position or “koala pose”, the baby sits with a straight back and a raised head on the mother's hip. ⁴ This position can be tried even with a newborn if it is well supported, but it is especially convenient for feeding a grown child who can already sit up by himself. The upright sitting position, or “koala pose,” is great for toddlers who suffer from reflux or ear infections and feel better sitting. In addition, this pose may be suitable for children with a shortened frenulum of the tongue or reduced muscle tone.

“When my daughter got a little older, I would often feed her in an upright position – it was more comfortable for both of us and I could still hold her close,” recalls Peggy, a mother from Switzerland. “Besides, it was possible to discreetly breastfeed her in public places.”

8. Overhanging position

In this position, the baby lies on his back, and the mother bends over him
on all fours so that the nipple falls directly into his mouth. ⁴ Some moms say this breastfeeding position is good to use occasionally for mastitis, when touching the breasts is especially unpleasant. Some say that this breastfeeding position helps with blockage of the milk ducts, although there is no scientific evidence for this yet. You can also feed in the “overhanging” position while sitting, kneeling over the baby on a bed or sofa, as well as reclining on your stomach with support on your elbows. Pillows of various sizes that you can lean on will help you avoid back and shoulder strain.

“I have breastfed several times in the 'overhang' position for clogged milk ducts when no other means of dissolving the blockage worked. And this pose seems to have helped. I think it's because of gravity, and also because the breasts were at a completely different angle than with normal feeding, and my daughter sucked her differently, ”says Ellie, a mother of two from the UK.

Feeding in the "overhanging" position is unlikely to be practiced regularly, but in some cases this position may be useful.

“I used to breastfeed in the overhang position when my baby was having trouble latch-on,” says Lorna, mother of two in the UK. - This, of course, is not the most convenient way, but then I was ready for anything, if only he could capture the chest. We succeeded and have been breastfeeding for eight months now!”

9. Breastfeeding in a sling or in a sling

Breastfeeding in a sling takes some practice, but it can be used to go out, look after older children, or even do a little household chores.

The sling is also useful if the baby does not like to lie down or is often attached to the breast. Lindsey, a mother of two in the US, notes: “I used the carrier frequently for both of my children. When we were out, I tied the sarong around my neck and covered the carrier with it. Under such a cape, the baby can eat as much as he wants until he falls asleep.

This breastfeeding position is best when the baby is already good at breastfeeding and can hold his head up by himself. Any slings are suitable for breastfeeding, including elastic and rings, as well as carrying bags. Whatever option you choose, the main thing is that you can always see the face of the child, and his chin does not rest against his chest.

10. Double hand-held breastfeeding

Double hand-held breastfeeding (or “double-ball grab”) is great for mothers of twins—you can breastfeed both at the same time and keep your arms relatively free. ⁴ When feeding in this position, it is advisable to use a special pillow for breastfeeding twins, especially at first. It will provide extra support and help keep both babies in the correct position, as well as reduce the burden on the abdomen if you had a caesarean section. In addition, the hands are freer, and if necessary, you can deal with one child without interfering with the second.

“My twins were born very tiny and had to be fed every two hours at any time of the day or night. Very soon it became clear: if I want to do anything besides feeding, I need to feed them both at the same time, - says Emma, ​​mother of two children from the UK. “I breastfed them two by hand using a breastfeeding pillow.”

Other good positions for breastfeeding twins are two criss-cross cradles, one baby in the cradle and the other close at hand, reclining feeding, or sitting upright (one baby on one side, the other on the other).

11. Breastfeeding in the "hand-supported" or "dancer's hand" position

muscle tone (which is typical for premature babies, children suffering from various diseases or Down syndrome), try supporting his head and your chest at the same time. ⁴ Grasp your chest with your palm underneath so that your thumb is on one side and all the others are on the other. Move your hand slightly forward so that your thumb and forefinger form a "U" just in front of your chest. With the other three fingers, continue to support the chest. With your thumb and forefinger, hold the baby's head while feeding so that his chin rests on the part of the palm between them, your thumb gently holds the baby on one cheek, and your index finger on the other. So the baby gets excellent support, and you can control his position and see if he is holding his breast.

Literature

1 Colson SD et al. Optimal positions for the release of primitive neonatal reflexes stimulating breastfeeding. Early Hum Dev . 2008;84(7):441-449. - Colson S.D. et al., "Optimal Positions for Provoking Primitive Innate Reflexes to Induce Breastfeeding." Early Hume Dev. 2008;84(7):441-449.

2 UNICEF UK BFHI [ Internet ]. Off to the best start ; 2015 [ cited 2018 Feb ]. - UNICEF UK, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, Start the Best You Can [Internet]. 2015 [cited February 2018].

3 Cadwell K. Latching - On and Suckling of the Healthy Term Neonate: Breastfeeding Assessment. J Midwifery & Women's Health. 2007;52(6):638-642. — Cadwell, K., "Latching and sucking in healthy newborns: evaluation of breastfeeding." F Midwifery Women Health. 2007;52(6):638-642.

4 Wambach K, Riordan J, editors. Breastfeeding and human lactation. Jones & Bartlett Learning ; 2014. 966 p . - Wambach K., Riordan J., "Breastfeeding and female lactation". Burlington, MA: Publishing House Jones & Bartlett Learning ; 2014. Pp. 966.

How to help a baby with colic

Shcherbakova Alla Anatolyevna

candidate of medical sciences, pediatrician, gastroenterologist

In the first months of life, the baby's digestive tract undergoes a number of changes, due to which colic may appear. Pediatrician Alla Anatolyevna Shcherbakova tells in the article how to help the baby.

- Alla Anatolyevna, mothers are often worried about the issue of infantile colic. What is colic in a child and how do they manifest themselves?

— Colic is a behavioral disorder in a child associated with abdominal pain caused by gas formation in the large intestine during feeding. When a baby is born, his microbiotic status changes : opportunistic microorganisms in the baby's intestines emit gases, and these gases, passing through the intestines, cause discomfort.

Usually, colic manifests itself as follows: the mother begins to feed the child, the baby eats, worries, throws the breast or bottle, cries, twists the legs or presses them to the stomach.

Is colic normal?

- Intestinal colic are considered normal and refer to the body's defense reaction - "physiological inflammation", which is formed in response to the transition from intrauterine to another food (mother's milk or milk formula).

— When does colic begin in newborns, how long does it last, and when does it end?

- There are also babies who do not have colic at all. But most often the onset of colic occurs at two to six weeks of age. Usually colic continues up to three months , however, there are children who experience colic up to six months. Although this is more the exception than the rule.

— How to understand that the child has colic, and how to distinguish intestinal colic from other causes of the baby's anxiety and crying?

- Answering this question can take a whole pediatric appointment. Colic most often occurs in the evening and is associated with feeding: that is, the baby began to eat and began to cry. Usually the attack lasts about three hours, the tummy can be round, swollen. If the baby is gaining weight and everything is fine with his general condition, then with one degree of probability or another we can say that everything is fine with him.

But it also happens that a child cries, for example, because of increased intracranial pressure or some problem with the digestive organs. Therefore, only a doctor at the time of admission can reliably determine the cause of the restless behavior of an infant.

In the process of training, doctors are given to listen to a recording of infant cries during colic, so that each specialist feels the unpleasantness of such a moment.

- When is colic more common - breastfeeding or formula-fed?

— It is difficult to unambiguously establish a direct relationship between the frequency of colic and the type of feeding. Considering that mother's milk is not sterile, and the composition of modern milk formulas promotes digestion, we can say that the likelihood of colic is about the same.

Causes of colic in a newborn

- If colic occurs equally often on breast and artificial feeding, what are the causes of their occurrence?

— There may be several reasons, the main ones are:

• Transient lactase deficiency. The carbohydrate lactose is a necessary component of breast milk or infant formula, which is involved in the formation of the brain. For better digestion, an enzyme called lactase is needed. The first months of life are an important period of maturation of the child's body, and at this time the baby's pancreas produces insufficient amount of lactase (or its low activity is noted). In turn, its deficiency leads to difficulties with the breakdown of lactose.

  Thus, there is a transient lactase deficiency (that is, a temporary, transient deficiency of the enzyme), causing colic. There are different opinions about lactose-free mixtures, but lactose should not be excluded from the baby's diet, since this is not a panacea for colic, but lactase deficiency is a temporary and fleeting phenomenon.




• When breastfeeding and mixed feeding, the cause of colic may be improper attachment of the baby to the breast. It often happens that mothers at the reception are asked to show how to properly attach the baby to the breast, how to feed him. We explain that mom needs to be relaxed, take a comfortable position and make sure that the baby is grabbing the nipple with the areola and not swallowing air. Children who suckle greedily are at especially high risk of colic: they may swallow air that enters the intestines. There it "turns" into gas bubbles that cause colic.




• Improper bottle feeding can cause colic. All modern bottles are equipped with a valve that releases excess air. There are also anti-colic bottles with anatomically shaped nipples that mimic the shape of a female nipple. The comfortable and physiological grip of the nipple minimizes the likelihood of the child systematically swallowing air during feeding.




• Improper nutrition of a nursing mother can also cause colic. Many researchers have linked infant colic to food allergies. Many children are now born with a predisposition to food allergies. We tell mothers that the most common cause of food allergies in young children is cow's milk protein intolerance . That is, for a mother who is breastfeeding and who has a family history of food allergies, it is better to limit or completely exclude products containing cow's milk protein in her diet, since this causes food allergies in the child, and colic in such a case is a manifestation of food allergies.

  If we talk about non-dairy products in the mother's diet, then we can note the widespread opinion about legumes. In fact, legumes can affect the bloating of the mother, but if she tolerates such foods well, then she can eat pea soup and other dishes - this will not affect the baby's colic.




• Wrong formula. Formula-fed infant nutrition helps correct colic. For example, Cow's milk protein intolerance may be accompanied by colic . In this case, cow's milk formula will most likely need to be changed.




• The psychological and physical climate plays an important role in the nutrition of the baby. The main thing is to provide the baby with a favorable environment during feeding, with direct contact between the nursing woman and the child. It is important that mom looks at the baby, and he looks at mom, and that nothing distracts them. When parents ask if a cat, loud noises, or bright lights can cause colic, the answer is of course not. However external bright stimuli can provoke colic : create a nervous environment around the baby and lead to aerophagia.

Aerophagia - swallowing large amounts of air during feeding.

How to help your baby with colic

— Please tell us about the correction of nutrition if the baby is breastfed.

— We talked about intolerance to cow's milk before. In general, the nutrition of a nursing mother should be varied, complete and sufficient. Mom does not need to eat for two, because she will quickly gain excess weight and have difficulty returning to normal after breastfeeding. At the same time, mom should not starve. Vegetables, fruits, berries, olive oil, meat, fish - the diet of a nursing mother should meet her daily needs. If an older child has a food allergy, you need to be careful about your diet when feeding the younger one: try a little food and observe the reaction of the baby.

— What to do with colic with nutrition if the baby is on mixed or artificial feeding?

— When selecting infant formula, the doctor is guided by the examination, the condition of the child. The most important indicator of any mixture is compliance with the composition of mother's milk . Manufacturers introduce prebiotics and probiotics, iron, calcium, lutein and other ingredients into milk formulas in order to bring it as close as possible to the composition of breast milk.

Artificial feeding - when the baby eats only the mixture. Mixed feeding or supplementary feeding - when the mother does not have enough milk and partial nutrition is used (the baby is supplemented) with infant formula.

— Is it possible to give mixtures with goat milk for colic?

It is impossible to determine in advance how a child will tolerate a given milk. Approximately 9% of children do not digest cow's milk but tolerate goat's milk well. With the help of the mixture, manufacturers are trying to make the child's digestion as easy as possible. But in order for the mixture to become an effective assistant, it must be selected with a doctor. Cope with Colic Can Digestion Comfort Blend on goat milk, which has a beneficial effect on the formation of soft stools, for example, MAMAKO ^® Premium*. These are mixtures for feeding healthy children, which provide comfortable digestion and prevention of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including colic.

- Are there any medicinal methods to combat colic?

- Sometimes mothers ask what pill to take so that the baby does not have colic, but such preparations do not yet exist . Currently, drug therapy includes prescribing drugs to children that make colic less pronounced - in fact, large bubbles of gas in the intestines turn into small ones, due to which swelling and pain in the baby's tummy disappear. The safety of preparations with probiotics has also been proven - they are able to reduce the severity and frequency of manifestations of infantile colic.

Is it possible to use traditional methods for colic?

— Some traditional methods are effective, while others are not recommended by doctors.

• Due to the immaturity of the digestive system, babies are prone to constipation. Using the gas tube , the mother causes defecation and gas passage, and thus the improvement of the child's condition.
• Contact with mother is important. If the baby has eaten, he is in a dry diaper, his mother takes him in her arms, walks around the room with him, hugs him to her - all this will help with colic. There is a so-called mom's gymnastics is an excellent remedy for colic, which is a daily ritual of every caring mother: she undresses, dresses, bathes the baby, strokes his tummy, legs, arms and back, makes a light acupressure around the navel. Pleasant touches help to soothe the baby and eliminate colic.
• Russian mothers are very fond of giving dill water because their mothers and grandmothers used to do this. But dill water differs from breast milk in its physicochemical properties and osmolarity - and thus acts as an irritant, so it can provoke colic by itself.

Read also

• Allergy to cow's milk in a child: can it be cured, how to feed the baby and what should parents do.

– Does massage help with colic?

— In children during the first months of life, muscle tone predominates, so general strengthening massage is not indicated, and therapeutic massage is used only for certain reasons. But the frequent laying out of the baby on the tummy before feeding stimulates peristalsis, strengthens the anterior abdominal wall and reduces the risk of developing colic.

Prevention of colic in a newborn

— You told how to help with colic. And how to prevent their occurrence, what serves as prevention?

- There are several methods to prevent this problem.

• To reduce the chance of colic, breastfeed properly . After feeding, the baby must be kept upright for some time, “column”, stroking the back - then the air will not go further into the digestive system and will not lead to colic.
• While breastfeeding, women often ask about coffee and sodas, legumes, seafood, grapes and sauerkraut, foods that can cause flatulence. If the mother tolerates such dishes well, then she can eat and drink them to satisfy her desire, but little by little. It will not affect the baby's colic in any way. But the emotional state is transmitted to the baby. A well-fed and satisfied mother is a happy child without colic!
• If the baby is an "artificial", then choose a bottle for him that has "anti-colic effect" , that is, it prevents him from swallowing air.
• If your baby has colic behave calmly , soothe and caress the baby. Distract him in any way possible, for example, talk to the baby, changing intonations, sing a lullaby, use a rattle or melodious bells, show spinning toys.

- Alla Anatolyevna, why are there no guarantees even if all the recommendations are followed?

— If a mother has a good night's sleep, eats well, takes a walk with her child in the fresh air and is armed with knowledge, then she calmly perceives the situation. For her, colic is a physiological and passing norm, which can be corrected by various available methods.

Doctor's recommendations help relieve colic and make it less frequent. And the best preventive complex is mother's hands and affection. You just need to get through this period!

Pain in the tummy and inconsolable crying of the baby are caused by various problems, including gastrointestinal problems. Discuss the child's restless condition with the doctor, as there are pathologies that can only appear to be colic. With attacks of colic, the main task is to calm the baby as much as possible using the available methods. But you should not give your child medications, herbal preparations or other sedatives without first consulting with the pediatrician. Almost all children go through a period of infantile colic, and, fortunately, they disappear with age as suddenly as they begin.

* Breast milk is the best food for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child's life and continued breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced until the age of 2 years.

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