This document discusses optimal breastfeeding techniques and their benefits. It outlines proper positioning for breastfeeding including cradle hold, football hold, side lying, cross cradle hold, and Australian hold. Key signs of effective breastfeeding are frequent feedings of 8-12 times per day with audible swallowing, 6-8 wet diapers in 24 hours, and 3-4 bowel movements. Achieving optimal breastfeeding involves early skin-to-skin contact, ensuring proper latching and milk production before discharge, and early follow up visits. Breastfeeding improves child development and reduces health costs with long-term economic and social benefits.

1. Breastfeeding techniques
Dr. Arunadevi, MD.

2. • Every infant and child has the right to good
nutrition according to the "Convention on the
Rights of the Child".

3. • Under nutrition is associated with 45% of child
deaths.
Globally in 2020,
• 149 million children under 5 were -stunted
• 45 million -wasted
• 38.9 million - overweight or obese.

4. • About 44% of infants 0–6 months old are
exclusively breastfed.
• Over 820 000 children's lives could be saved
every year among children under 5 years.

5. Good Breastfeeding Techniques
• The baby should be properly positioned to achieve
effective latching.
• The mother should wear comfortable apparel,
with the breast well exposed for the infant to be
able to latch.
• The child’s mouth, chin and umbilicus should line
up with the head in neutral position
• Infant is brought to breast with nose touching or
close to breast

7. • Gum line should overlap nipple and areola
• Tongue moves forward beyond the lower gum,
cupped to form a reservoir
• Milk is removed for the lactiferous sinuses, the
jaw moves down creating negative pressure
gradient making milk flow into pharynx and
esophagus

8. Cradle Hold
Cradle Hold
 This is the most common
position used by
mothers.

Infant’s head is supported
in the elbow, the back
and buttock is supported
by the arm and lifted to
the breast.
Adapted from AAFP Journal September 2001

9. Football Hold Position
 The infant’s is placed under
the arm, like holding a football
 Baby’s body is supported with
the forearm and the head is
supported with the hand.
 Many mothers are not
comfortable with this
position

Good position after
operative procedures
Adapted from AAFP Journal September 2001
Football hold Position

10.  The mother lies on her side
propping up her head and
shoulder with pillows.

The infant is also lying down
facing the mother.
 Good position after C- section.
 Allows the new mother
some rest.
Side lying Position
Adapted from AAFP Journal September 2001

11.  Ideal for early breastfeeding.
 Mother holds the baby
crosswise in the crook of the
arm opposite the breast the
infant is to be fed.
 The baby's trunk and head are
supported with the forearm
 The other hand is placed beneath
the breast in a U-shaped to guide
the baby's mouth
Cross cradle holdPosition
Adapted from AAFP Journal September 2001

12. Australian Hold Position
 This is also called the saddle
hold
 Usually used for older infants
 Best used in older infants
with runny nose, ear
infection.
Australian Hold Position
Adapted from AAFP Journal September 2001

13. OPTIMAL/ EFFECTIVE BREAST
FEEDING

14. • Frequent feedings 8-12 times daily.
• Intermittent episodes of rhythmic sucking
with audible swallows should be heard while
the infant is nursing.
• Infant should have about 6-8 wet diapers in a
24 hour period

15. • Infant should have minimum of 3-4 bowel
movements every 24 hours.
• Stools should be about one tablespoon or
larger and should be soft and yellow after day
3.
• Average daily weight gain of 15 -30g.
• Infant has regained birth weight by day 10 of
life.

16. HOW TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL BREAST
FEEDING?

17. Skin to skin contact for about 1-2 hours after
delivery
• Helps to maintain the body temperatures
• Reduce risk of hypoglycaemia
• Enhance oxytocin release and
• Beneficial nutrition with intake of colostrum
Activities, attitudes and procedures during the
delivery and post partum period

18. • Breastfeeding should be started and fully
established before discharge from the hospital
• Observe at least one feeding and ensure this is
done properly and breast milk is produced
• Lactation specialist
• Early follow up

19. • Breastfeeding improves IQ, school attendance,
and is associated with higher income in adult
life.
• Improving child development and reducing
health costs
• Economic gains for individual families as well
as at the national level