Breastfeeding: A learned skill
Breastfeeding promotes a closer mother-child bond.
Photo: Barbara Finck-Beccafico
Right after delivery, your baby will snuggle up to your breast and nurse for the first time. The act of nursing will soothe your baby and help stabilize his body temperature. Breastfeeding sustains the relationship that started between you and your baby during pregnancy.
The period when you start breastfeeding can be intense. While your milk will come in on its own, you will need to learn how to breastfeed.
The initial weeks of breastfeeding are a time of adaptation and learning. Mastering the technique of latching the baby to your breast can take a while at the beginning. Give yourself plenty of time and have confidence in yourself and your new baby.
As you gain experience, getting your baby to latch onto the breast will become easier. With time, you and your little one will come to enjoy the nursing experience more and more.
Learning to breastfeed is a little like learning to dance. At first, you focus on your steps, not the music. But with time and practice, you forget the technique and the music carries you away.