Adjust the Rump

Have you seen how experienced mothers or post-partum nurses seem to be able to move the babies around with such ease? They just lift, turn and settle the baby quickly and without fear.

Well one secret is to adjust the rump. Babies are mostly squishy lumps, but if you control that cute little rump then the torso will follow. Their bum is like an anchor and when they are setting up to feed this tip will help you to line them up. If you remember from Belly to Belly that the baby’s tummy should be facing you. They can anchor down with the hips which they can push against you to help them to bob their heads and find their way to the nipple.

Our instinct may be to move the baby by their arm pits, but if their rump gets out of line then the shoulder and head will follow. So, if the head needs to be lowered adjust the rump!

Free the Head

Did you know a newborn baby can crawl from the stomach and find their way to the breast, then latch mostly unassisted? Newborns have these built-in instincts that guide them to feed early and often. What strikes me is how strong they are! When give them space and time it is amazing what they are capable of. Yes, they are dependent on their parents for EVERYTHING, but they are capable and strong!

The most common thing a new mom is taught on day 1 or even hour one is to sandwich the breast, bring the baby up and as the baby opens their mouth to wide to push the breast into the baby’s mouth then hold them there with your hand just below their ears.

I recommend freeing their head and letting them do the work! Feeding your baby is a dance and both partners have a job. Bring baby to the breast so that nipple is lined up with their nose, let them nuzzle (this extends you nipple) let them lick and then they will open wide and lift their chin and latch. You will support their body and hold them close and keep them belly to belly.

Video of a breast crawl.

Belly to Belly

How to position your baby when it is time to feed, belly to belly! On your side, cross cradle, laid back the common thread is belly to belly. As a new mom this did not sink in for me. I know it is a simple concept and now after 6 years of nursing and all the training to become an IBCLC I just shake my head at my early feeding journey.

My daughter was very accommodating, and my supply was very forgiving. She spent the majority of our early days nursing tummy up and head turned. Then one day my lactation consultant says, “belly to belly – Have you ever tried to drink with your head turned?” I can tell you that was a light bulb moment… and it was with my son! You know what? I could hear all the other times she had told me to reposition the baby echo in my ears. Belly to belly!

Why is breastfeeding education so important before your baby is born? Because small concepts like how to position your baby is so very hard to have sink in when you are in the middle of recovering from birth and caring for a newborn.

Sandbox at the Zoo

Friday October 4th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm lets meet up and enjoy some time outside! The weather is if-y but the sand box is covered. I will be there with my 2 littles. We will be happy to chat and offer support to families on this journey of Feeding Babies from the smallest to the largest. Send me a message to coordinate the first 4 children (3 and under are free) and 1 adult guest can take advantage of my membership and get free entry.

kisha@feedingbabies.org

Throwing a Party

Feeding Babies is throwing a party! I am excited to be walking this road towards becoming an IBCLC and in the process I want to share the excitement! Over the next year I will develop classes and offer them to expectant parents and mother’s who are preparing to return to work. I will be taking my lactation training starting in the fall and will test to become a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in October 2020. Please come celebrate with me!

September 14th