If your baby is gaining more slowly, there are three main things to think about.
Make sure the nipple is back far enough in the mouth to allow the milk to flow freely
Your nipple needs to be back far enough in the baby's mouth so it will not be pinched shut as the baby sucks. If your nipple hurts with each suck, change the way you are holding the baby. Use the football or across-the-lap hold. Your hand will be under the baby's shoulders. As the baby nurses, push in on the baby's shoulders with the palm of your hand. At the same time, the hand that is holding the breast can push more of the breast into the baby's mouth.
If your nipple still hurts as the baby nurses, hold the baby's chin down. This will help the baby get the tongue under the breast and get more milk with each suck.
Make sure you are nursing your baby often enough.
Fit in more feedings each day. You can do this by waking your baby to eat sooner. For example, if your baby has been nursing at 10am, 2pm and 6pm, nurse the baby at 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. If your baby has been sleeping 5 or 6 hours at night, you can get in another feeding by waking your baby once a night.
If your baby seems too sleepy to nurse, talk close to the baby's face and rub the baby's back, arms, legs and tummy. Put a clean finger in the baby's mouth to get the baby sucking. Change the diaper. It may take about five minutes to wake your baby. You may need to do this before every feeding for a few days.
Nurse your baby long enough to finish each breast.
Higher fat milk comes after about 5 - 10 minutes of nursing. This creamy milk has more calories. It is important for your baby to nurse long enough to get this high calorie milk.
Most babies nurse 10 - 20 minutes on each breast. If your baby stops sucking and seems to go to sleep before then, take the baby off the breast. Rub and pat the baby. Give the baby a chance to burp. Use your finger to get the baby started sucking again. Put the baby back on the SAME breast. Then the baby will nurse a little longer and get the higher calorie milk needed for weight gain.
Source: Nutrition NC www.nutritionnc.com
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