Youtube breast feeding baby

8 YouTube Breastfeeding Tutorials That Are Actually Helpful

Life

by Kelly Mullen-McWilliams

Jan. 6, 2018

Without YouTube, I'd be sunk as a parent. YouTube taught me to fold baby clothes, pack a hospital bag, and swaddle my baby. It was my go-to source for prenatal yoga and, for the two-week period when I was motivated enough to purée my own baby food, it taught me how to do that, too. YouTube can be a parent's best friend, but when it comes to breastfeeding tutorials, not every how-to video is created equal. Here are eight Youtube breastfeeding tutorials that will actually teach you something, from hand expression to pumping.

As Refinery 29 pointed out, there are literally millions of breastfeeding videos out there, so it's important to separate the wheat from the chaff. More than anything, the best YouTube videos will be a source of encouragement — you should never watch a video that's negative about your ability to breastfeed. When in doubt, watch a lot of videos to get a wide range of opinions.

A new parent watching her wallet can also try Happy Family's Happy Mama Milk Mentor program, a totally free online chat service to address your breastfeeding questions. Additionally, the hospital or birth clinic where you had your baby is also a great resource. When in doubt about information you find on the Internet — YouTube included — always trust your body and consult your doctor for definitive advice.

1 The Latch

Fit Pregnancy on YouTube

In the beginning, breastfeeding is all about getting a proper latch, for both you and the baby. An improper or too-shallow latch can cause pain while nursing, among other issues. No, you don't have to live with cracked and bleeding nipples.

Fit Pregnancy's How To Breastfeed — Deep Latch Technique talks you through the a host of pitfalls and problems while nursing mothers demonstrate. According to the lactation specialist featured in this video, "the most important first step" to a great latch is to get your baby to tip their head back, kind of like the way you'd embark on eating a "fat sandwich. " Besides the helpful analogies, there's a snappy soundtrack here, too.

2 The Famous Football Hold

Sara Chana Silverstein on YouTube

As a first-time mom, you're going to hear a lot about the famous football hold for breastfeeding, and what's better than a YouTube video featuring a fake breast to demonstrate exactly what that looks like?

Yeah, I know, the fake breast looks weird — and the fake baby, too. But anyway, you get the idea.

3 Hand Expression

NEVHC WIC Program on YouTube

Unlike the video above, this one produced by Stanford University is super comfortable with a whole lot of nudity. Watch hand expression happening up close and personal while a doctor walks you through the surprisingly tricky details, step-by-step.

All of Stanford's breastfeeding videos are accurate and highly informative, if a little raw when it comes to production value.

4 Latching, Animated

BreastfeedingBabies on YouTube

For a deeper look at the anatomy of a deep latch — including advice on achieving the proper alignment — check out this animated video. I don't know why, but being able to visualize exactly what's happening with your baby's jaw and esophagus is actually extremely helpful.

Animated breastfeeding vids are also a good choice if you feel squeamish about watching real breasts in action.

5 Tandem Breastfeeding

Louis Gay on YouTube

Ever hear of the ancient art of tandem breastfeeding? You will if you have twins. For those with a double bundle of joy, this video will show you how to get comfortable for a two-in-one nursing session.

Honestly, what I love most about this video is that it shows a real mom (who's also really exhausted — but obviously killing it), in a real house, with real twin babies. God bless this amazing woman.

6 Every Breastfeeding Position Under The Sun

My Ameda on YouTube

Ready for a crash course in breastfeeding positions? Part of Ameda's Educational Series Which Breastfeeding Position Is Best? catalogs the biggest players in boob land, with the reminder that the best breastfeeding position is the one that works best for you.

Actually, I wish I'd watched this video before I had my baby, because at that point, I was too sleep-deprived to take in new information easily.

7 All About Pumping

Erika Kristi on YouTube

No list of YouTube breastfeeding videos would be complete without a tutorial on pumping. This one shows you had to get more from your Medela, and more milk for your baby.

Here, Erika Kristi offers lots of awesome product reviews, with specific advice about the best pump and hands-free bra to buy. My favorite pumping tip is number 6: "Relax, relax, relax."

8 Is Your Baby Getting Enough Milk?

Global Health Media Project on YouTube

Ever wonder if your baby is getting enough milk? Global Health Media Project's video demonstrates signs your baby is feeding well with tips to help her get more.

In fact, Global Health Media has produced a ton of videos to answer your breastfeeding questions, offering information on everything from early initiation, to nipple pain and engorgement. A reliable one-stop shop for all your nursing conundrums.

Check out Romper's new video series, Romper's Doula Diaries:

Watch full episodes of Romper's Doula Diaries on Facebook Watch.

Your baby's first feed - HSE.ie

Holding your baby with their skin next to your skin immediately after birth will calm and relax you both.

Skin to skin contact after birth

Skin-to-skin contact with your baby in the first hour after birth will help get the first feed off to a good start. Your midwife will assist you to position your baby safely.

Most babies are alert and keen to breastfeed soon after birth, but every baby is different. Check for signs that your baby is hungry. Your midwife or nurse is there to help and support you.

Signs your baby is hungry

The following are signs that your baby could be starting to get hungry:

Eyes fluttering.
Moving their hands to their mouth.
Making mouth movements.
Moving towards your breast or turning their head when you touch their cheek.

Crying is a late sign of hunger. Try feeding when you notice your baby giving you the earlier signs. It will often be easier as you'll both be calmer and more relaxed.

You and your baby may start the first feed by yourselves or you may need a little help and guidance from your midwife.

Midwife Brenda Piper Callan talks about the Early Stages of Breastfeeding

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Follow these steps to begin your baby's first feed:

Hold your baby close to your breast.
Stroke your baby’s hands and feet.
Wait for signs your baby is hungry (early feeding cues).
Attach your baby to your breast.

Breastfeeding and Skin to Skin Contact

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First days of breastfeeding

When you start breastfeeding, your breasts will release an early milk called colostrum. It is produced in small amounts by your body and is quite thick in consistency. Colostrum is full of antibodies that will help your baby fight off infection.

Breastfeeding your newborn

A newborn baby can feed 10 to 12 times in 24 hours. Every time your baby feeds, they are letting your body know how much breast milk you need to produce.

Breastfeeding is a supply and demand system - the more you breastfeed, the more milk your body produces. In the early days, breastfeeding often is important to help you build up a good milk supply. Breast milk meets all your baby's food and drink needs for the first 6 months.

Like most breastfeeding mothers, you will probably notice that your breast milk supply will increase around days 3 to 5. You may notice your breasts becoming fuller and firmer. This is sometimes known as 'your milk coming in.'

In the next few weeks, your baby may develop a more regular feeding pattern. This will help you adjust to producing the right amount of milk. But there may be days when your baby wants to feed a lot.

Breastfeeding takes patience and practice. In the early days:

hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact after birth, if possible
breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after birth
feed your baby as often as they want, this will help you stay comfortable
breast milk may leak from your nipples
change your breast pads regularly or at every feed

Page last reviewed: 28 November 2018
Next review due: 28 November 2021

Breastfeeding for beginners | Philips Avent

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because it will take a long time during the first few months of a child's life. In this article, we will discuss all of its main aspects, from the basic principles of breastfeeding to the best tips for effective newborn feeding.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, seek the opinion of another specialist.

Basic principles of breastfeeding

Although every baby is different, newborns usually eat every two to three hours, for a total of 8 to 12 times a day. In the first one or two days after birth, babies usually drink 25-50 ml of milk per feeding. This volume will gradually increase to 50-75 ml when the baby is about two weeks old.

More information on how much a newborn should eat can be found here.

How long does one feeding last?

Again, every baby is different, so there is no set time frame for every newborn. But in general, breastfeeding a newborn takes five minutes to one hour. This time depends on the size, age of the baby and the frequency and duration of feeding the newborn.

How to start breastfeeding?

In the very first minutes of a child's life, his mother should put the baby on her chest and ensure body contact. This time is called the "golden hour": it is at this hour that a connection is established between mother and child and the newborn's natural instinct to seek the breast manifests itself. As soon as the child begins to show signs of hunger, you need to give him a breast.

Mothers who are just learning to breastfeed their newborns should remember that comfort is key. There is no better way to ensure breastfeeding success than by creating a comfortable and relaxing environment for the mother. For starters, mom can sit comfortably on the couch, on the bed, or in a chair with pillows to support her back while feeding. Breastfeeding moms can get creative with breastfeeding and choose specific lighting, soothing music, or anything else that helps them relax.

Bring your baby to your breast, not the other way around. If you want to make breastfeeding a newborn easier, then do not lean towards the baby, but bring it to your chest. The baby's mouth should be opposite the nipple, the neck should be straight, and the shoulders and hips should be in line. Mom can also lightly touch her nipple to her baby's nose and mouth to encourage him to latch on.

Support your chest. Holding the newborn with one hand, the mother can place the other hand directly under the breast to support it. When learning to breastfeed, some mothers prefer to leave one hand free; in this case, a rolled towel can be used.

Breastfeeding can be done in different positions; experiment with them to find the one that works best for you and your baby. We list the most common breastfeeding techniques below:

Cradle. In this position, the baby lies on the mother's hand from the side of the breast, which he sucks. The baby's head lies on the mother's elbow during feeding.

Cross cradle. With a cross cradle, the mother holds the baby with the hand opposite to the mammary gland that the baby sucks. With the other hand, mom can support her breasts.

Underhand or Football. In this position, the mother holds the child next to her, putting her back on her arm. With the other hand, she supports the baby's head, facing the mammary gland, with which she feeds the baby.

Lying on your side. In this position, the mother lies on her side, and the child lies next to her, facing her chest. Mom can support the child under the back with the hand that is on top, or put a folded towel under the back of the child.

Newborn Breastfeeding Tips

After looking at breastfeeding techniques, here are some tips for new mothers:

A good grip is important for both mother and baby. With a good grip, the baby will suck out milk correctly, and the mother's nipples will not hurt. To achieve a good latch, the mother needs to find a position that makes it easier for the newborn to latch onto the breast, and to do this, she should experiment with different positions. If a mother is having difficulty feeding, she should contact a lactation consultant.

2. Maintain milk supply. Sometimes a nursing mother cannot be constantly with her child during feedings. In such cases, it is very important to maintain milk production. An excellent solution for maintaining milk production when mother and baby are not together is pumping milk.

Take a look at this double breast pump: it reduces pumping time and features a massage petal attachment to gently stimulate milk flow.

3. Breastfeeding everywhere. One of the many benefits of breast milk is that mom always has it with her. But some moms feel awkward at first when they have to breastfeed their baby in public. For such mothers, we recommend that you first practice breastfeeding your newborn in front of a mirror and choose clothes that allow you to cover your breasts during feeding. A shawl or scarf can help with this - with them, the mother will feel more comfortable when feeding the baby outside the home.

And to keep clothes dry and clean while breastfeeding, we recommend that mums use these disposable bra pads with a porous and breathable structure: they do not leak and let air through.

Be prepared for difficulties. It is important for moms not to panic or get upset when faced with a common breastfeeding problem, such as insufficient milk production, breast engorgement, clogged milk ducts, mastitis, or sore nipples. To feel calm and confident during all stages of breastfeeding a baby, mothers need a circle of support: family members, friends, and healthcare professionals. The main thing is to stay calm, but if a mother is concerned about any aspect of breast health, she should definitely see a doctor. Learn more about breastfeeding difficulties and how to overcome them.

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World Breastfeeding Week | UN News

Breast milk is more than just food, it is also a powerful way to prevent disease. "First milk" is rich in antibodies that protect children from disease and death. Breastfeeding promotes brain development in young children, protects children from infections, and reduces the risk of obesity.

It's not just the children who benefit - a healthy younger generation helps lower health care costs, and breastfeeding protects women from ovarian cancer. Experts estimate that encouraging breastfeeding could help prevent 823,000 deaths among children under the age of five and 20,000 deaths of women from breast cancer each year. The researchers also found that babies who receive breast milk for a long time are much less likely to gain excess weight in the future. But obesity, especially in children, leads to serious health problems.

However, most women around the world do not have access to parental leave or special breastfeeding breaks at work. Creating a friendly and safe environment for breastfeeding women is still a challenge in today's society.

WHO research has shown that doctors often do not encourage breastfeeding enough, and many health professionals are not properly trained. In addition, there are serious gaps in maternity protection laws in some countries, and infant formula companies are aggressively marketing their products.

In Russia, about 80-90 percent of women start breastfeeding at the maternity hospital, but quickly stop. By six months, only 40 percent of babies are breastfed. The highest rates were recorded in Rwanda (86.9%), Burundi (82.3%) and Sri Lanka (82%). Upper middle income countries have the lowest breastfeeding rates at 23.9%.

Photo by UNICEF/Zammit

More than 98 percent of babies in Mongolia are breastfed.

“The social and economic benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child are known. However, almost 60 per cent of the world's children, contrary to recommendations, do not receive breast milk during the first six months of life,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.