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Using Antibiotics and Breastfeeding – What you need to know

    Mother breastfeeding her newborn baby beside window. Milk from mom’s breast is a natural medicine for children.

    If you are a breastfeeding mother, you should have a clear understanding about the usage of antibiotics. Then you will be able to proceed with using antibiotics in a responsible way, so that you can overcome the negative consequences that would come on your way in the future. Keep on reading and we will share all details on whether it is safe to consume antibiotics while you are breastfeeding.

    Are antibiotics safe while you are breastfeeding? 

    Antibiotics are generally safe for breastfeeding mothers. However, you should refrain from taking in antibiotics as per your wish. You should consult a doctor and you should be consuming antibiotics only if they are prescribed to you by the doctor. Then you will not have to worry too much about the negative effects that antibiotics can create. 

    When should you start breastfeeding? 

    Before you understand breastfeeding positions and techniques, you must know when to start breastfeeding. Your little one will be ready to breastfeed from the very first day. You are encouraged to keep the little one skin to skin during the first few days. Then you will be able to assist the newborn to adjust to the environmental conditions. This can contribute towards the breastfeeding experience as well. 

    Along with time, you will be able to notice how the little ones develop sucking behaviors such as linking, sucking, and bringing the fingers close to the mouth. When you see these signs, it is possible for you to get started with breastfeeding. 

    Breastfeeding techniques that you can try out 

    Below mentioned are some of the best breastfeeding techniques that are available for you to try out. You can go through these techniques and select the most appropriate one out of the list to follow. 

    1. Cradle hold 

    This can be considered as the most popular option out of the breastfeeding positions. That’s because it offers a comfortable and a natural position for the babies and mothers. To begin with, you will need to sit comfortably along with the little one. Then you need to raise the little one towards the level of the heart. The heat of your baby should rest near the bend of the elbow and the tummy should be against your arm. Hip, shoulders, and ear of the little one should be in a straight line as well. You should next keep the lower arm of the baby under the breast and use your free hand to provide support needed by the breast. You can use the same hand to fondle the nipple to the lower lip of the little one. With that, the mouth of your baby will open. However, it can take some time for the mouth to open in some instances. Once your baby starts breastfeeding, you should pull him to the breast closely and latch on. 

    1. Football hold 

    If you are a mother who has large breasts, you can think about football hold breastfeeding technique. It can provide you with a comfortable experience. On the other hand, this technique is also recommended for the mothers who are breastfeeding premature babies. That’s mainly because the mothers will be able to receive enhanced control over the little ones. 

    To start off, you will need to keep the little one, so that her body and legs are beneath the hand and arm. You can now place your palm under the breast and allow the baby to latch on. You can do it by pulling the baby closer to your body. Now you should hold the head of the baby with his chin. While doing that, you need to make sure that the nose of the bay touches your breast. Once the baby starts latching on, you will need to make sure that he is in a relaxed state as well. 

    1. Cross Cradle Hold

    Cross Cradle Hold can be considered as another common option out of breastfeeding positions available for you to try out. It can provide a superior level of assistance for both mother and the baby. The best thing about this technique is that it can deliver an excellent level of assistance to you with just one hand. 

    To begin Cross Cradle Hold, you should sit comfortably along with the little one. You need to make sure that the baby is held against your heart level. Then you need to cradle the baby in arm, while pressing his tummy against yours. Your hand should be placed near the neck and the base of the head. Just like football hold technique, you need to make sure that the hip, shoulders, and ears are placed in a straight line. 

    Now you will be able to keep the lower arm of the baby in a way, so that the mouth gets closer to your breast. While doing that, you will be able to use the opposite arms in order to come up with the perfect cradle holding position. The other hand can also be used as a support for your breast as well. As the next step, you must place the thumb on top of the areola and keep the fingers resting under the breast. With that, you should fondle the nipple to the lower lip of the little one. As a response, you will be able to see that your baby is opening the mouth. After that, you must pull the baby closer to the body and let him latch on. You should be careful not to lean over the little one while you are following Cross Cradle Hold. You must always try your best in order to pull the baby closer to you as much as possible. 

    Conclusion 

    Now you are aware about three of the best breastfeeding techniques that you will be able to try out. While you follow them, you should also make sure that you don’t consume any antibiotics as per your wish. Instead, you will need to strictly follow the guidance given by an experienced doctor.