What position should I breastfeed to prevent colic?

Understanding Colic in Breastfed Babies
Colic is a term used to describe excessive crying in an otherwise healthy infant, often leaving parents feeling helpless and frustrated. While the exact cause of colic remains unclear, it is believed to be linked to factors such as digestive discomfort, gas, and even overstimulation. For breastfeeding mothers, the position in which they feed their baby can play a significant role in alleviating some of the symptoms associated with colic.
Optimal Breastfeeding Positions
To help prevent colic, certain breastfeeding positions can be particularly beneficial. Here are some recommended positions that may reduce discomfort for colicky babies:
1. Upright Position: Holding your baby in an upright position during feeding can help minimize the amount of air they swallow, which is crucial since excess air can contribute to gas and discomfort. This position also aids in digestion, making it easier for the baby to process the milk.
2. Football Hold: This position involves tucking the baby under your arm, with their body parallel to yours. It allows for better control of the baby’s head and can help keep them upright. This hold is especially useful for babies who may have reflux, as it keeps them elevated.
3. Side-Lying Position: Lying on your side with the baby facing you can provide a relaxed feeding experience. This position can be particularly soothing for both mother and baby, allowing for a more comfortable latch and reducing the likelihood of the baby swallowing air.
4. Cradle Hold: While this is a common position, it’s essential to ensure that the baby’s head is higher than their stomach. This can help prevent spit-up and reduce discomfort associated with colic.
Additional Tips for Breastfeeding with Colic
In addition to choosing the right position, mothers can consider their own diet, as certain foods may contribute to colic symptoms in breastfed infants. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is recommended, while avoiding potential irritants like dairy, caffeine, and spicy foods may also help reduce colic symptoms.
Moreover, ensuring that the baby is properly latched can significantly impact their comfort during feeding. A poor latch can lead to inefficient feeding and increased air intake, exacerbating colic symptoms.
Conclusion
While colic can be a challenging experience for both parents and infants, adopting the right breastfeeding positions can help mitigate some of the discomfort associated with this condition. By focusing on upright and supportive holds, along with mindful dietary choices, breastfeeding mothers can create a more soothing feeding environment for their babies. As always, consulting with a healthcare provider or a lactation consultant can provide personalized strategies and support tailored to individual needs.

What position should I breastfeed to avoid gas?

Use positions for feeding that keep baby’s head higher than her tummy, such as a laid-back position or having baby diagonally across your chest in a cradle hold. Avoid positions that have baby bending at the waist, putting more pressure on her tummy.

What positions reduce colic while breastfeeding?

The ‘colic curl’ position – place your baby’s head and back against your chest and encircle your arms under her bottom.

How to breastfeed to avoid colic?

These are some of the tried and tested techniques that other parents use to relieve colic symptoms in breastfed babies.

1. Burping. Burp (or wind) your baby during and after every feed – have a look at burping your baby for techniques.
2. Sit your baby up. Sit your baby up as straight as possible while feeding.
3. Attachment.
4. Diet.

Why do babies get colic when breastfed?

The cause of colic may not be known, but many things are thought to contribute to colic in breastfed babies, such as the nursing parent’s diet, overactive letdown, and an overabundant breast milk supply.

What position can you feed a baby to prevent colic?

When bottle feeding, sit your baby up as straight as possible – this helps stop them swallowing too much air. Try to make sure the milk fills the teat and there are no air pockets – you could try using an anti-colic bottle to see if that helps.

Can you prevent a baby from getting colic?

Colic is thought to be due to swallowed air, so holding the baby in an upright position when feeding may help to reduce the amount of air swallowed. If the baby is bottle-fed, a fast-flow teat will help to reduce the amount of swallowed air by allowing milk to flow freely when the baby sucks the teat.

What is the best position to breastfeed without pain?

1. Cradle hold

• Lie your baby across your lap, facing you.
• Place your baby’s head on your forearm – nose towards your nipple. Your hand should support the length of their body.
• Place your baby’s lower arm under yours.
• Check to make sure your baby’s ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line.

Is my breast milk causing colic?

Other foods that your breastfed baby may react to include nuts, soy, eggs, caffeine, garlic, spicy foods, and shellfish. You do not need to stop nursing. Breastfeeding is not a cause of colic, and babies who are fed infant formula get colic, too. Switching to formula may not help and may even make the situation worse.

What position should I lay in to relieve gas?

Lie on Your Side
Lying on your left side may work especially well for relieving trapped gas.2 Follow these steps to see if it works for you: On a bed, sofa, or the floor, lie on your side. Gently draw both knees toward your chest.

How can I prevent my breastfed baby from getting gas?

Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet. Try to learn which foods work and don’t work for you and your baby, and remember, each baby is uniquely different.