Technical Writing Sample-Instructional Writing

Breastfeeding 101

Breastfeeding is feeding a child breast milk directly from the breast or expressed from the breast. Although breastfeeding is natural and women have been successfully breastfeeding for centuries, it is not without its challenges. Breast milk passes to your child nutrients and antibodies that can benefit their body and mind while providing the mother with an incomparable bonding experience. Whether you are a mother-to-be or partner of a mother-to-be or becoming a mother again and just need a refresher it is good to have some basic instruction on the art of breast feeding and the three major steps to success; positioning, supporting, and latching.
 The first step to successful breastfeeding is getting you in a comfortable position. This means making sure that your back and arms are supported. You may also choose to use a pillow on your lap to help elevate the baby toward your breast. Slouching and bad posture can create back pain during and after nursing. The second step in positioning is getting your baby in the proper position which depends on which position you are the most comfortable. Three common nursing positions include cradle, clutch or football, and side-lying position. There are a few different ways to position your baby for nursing depending on preference.

Step One: Positioning
Cradle Position. With the baby on its side, the mother holds the baby with one arm supporting its neck and back.
Clutch or Football Position. In this position the baby‟s head is supported in the mother‟s hand and its body is supported by the length of her arm.
Side-Lying Position. The mother and the baby both lay next to each other on their sides.

Step Two: Support
Supporting your breast is important for proper latching. There are a couple of options for breast support, the "C" hold and the "U" hold. For the "C" hold you "Support your breast with your thumb on top, well back from your areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple) and the fingers underneath. Your fingers should also be well back from your baby's mouth" (LLLI, 2010). The "U" hold is where you "Place your fingers flat on your ribcage under your breast with your index finger in the crease under your breast. Drop your elbow so that your breast is supported
between your thumb and index finger. Your thumb will be on the outer area of your breast and your fingers will be on the inner area" (LLLI, 2010).

Step Three: Latching
Once in position and supported, how your child latches will be the most important part of breastfeeding success. "When your baby is „latched on‟ the right way, both lips should pout out (not be pulled in over his or her gums) and cover nearly all of the areola. Instead of smacking noises, your baby will make low-pitched swallowing noises" (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2010). La Leche League International (2010) offers the following checkpoints for proper latching: his nose is nearly touching your breast, that is, no further away than a credit card edge, his lips are flanged, and at least ½ inch of your breast around the base of your nipple is in his mouth.
If once the baby has latched on the breastfeeding is painful, detach the baby by putting your finger gently into the corner of the baby‟s mouth between the baby‟s gums, this will release the latch, reposition if necessary and try again.

Breastfeeding when done with the proper positioning, support and latching can be a beneficial experience for the mother, child, and family.