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Milky Adventure
Effective Feeding: Breast Compression and Proper Positioning
In episode 4, Lauriane Emond breaks down the signs of a truly effective feeding, beyond just timing, to help baby feed well and support lactation.
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Summary
🔊 This program is an information program by a trained professional. This is generic advice and is not a personalized diagnosis. In all cases, we recommend that you be followed by a gynecologist and/or a midwife for individualized follow-up.
What you will learn in this episode
In this episode, Lauriane Emond teaches you how to recognize a truly effective feeding, without focusing on a timer. You'll understand how to help your baby when they start to tire at the breast, why you should never compare your breastfeeding journey to another mom's, and how to position yourself correctly for a comfortable feeding.
- What happens between colostrum and your milk coming in
- Recognizing an effective feeding: the one suck, one swallow rule
- How to help baby with breast compression and alternating breasts
- Why milk storage capacity varies from woman to woman
- Proper positioning for a comfortable feeding
💡 Key figures
More than two-thirds of women experience breast tension related to engorgement by day 5 postpartum, with symptoms peaking between days 3 and 5.
Source: Berens P, Brodribb W, « ABM Clinical Protocol #20: Engorgement », Breastfeeding Medicine, 2016.
___
Engorgement is less common when the baby spends more time feeding effectively during the first 48 hours of life.
Source: Berens P, Brodribb W, « ABM Clinical Protocol #20: Engorgement », Breastfeeding Medicine, 2016.
___
Breast milk storage capacity varies considerably from woman to woman, which explains why two babies of the same age can have very different feeding patterns without this reflecting the quality of their mother's milk.
Source: La Leche League France, leaflet « Breastfeeding: on demand? at the first signs of hunger? », 2024. Link to the leaflet.
Milk Coming In: A New Chapter
After colostrum, milk comes in, typically between the 2nd and 5th day after birth. The milk changes composition, becomes more abundant, and the blood and lymphatic vessels around the ducts swell to support this production: this is physiological engorgement. Breasts become hard, warm, sometimes painful, but this isn't always the case: some mothers feel almost nothing, and breastfeeding still gets off to a very good start.
Today, medication is no longer given to stop milk from coming in: even in a mother who doesn't wish to breastfeed, prolactin naturally increases after the placenta is expelled. The preference is to manage symptoms rather than block the physiological process.
An effective feeding isn't about minutes
It's often said that you need to leave baby on one breast for 15 minutes to access the famous hindmilk. This is true, but a very oversimplified belief. Milk is a bit like a pot of stew: all the nutrients are there from the beginning; they simply become more concentrated as the breast empties.
What we're really looking for in an effective feeding is the alternation between stimulation (rapid, shallow sucking) and actual swallowing: one suck, one swallow. If baby only stimulates without swallowing, they risk getting exhausted before eating enough, even if they stay quietly at the breast for the famous fifteen minutes.
Helping Baby When They Slow Down: Breast Compression
When swallows become less frequent, you can increase the flow with breast compression: place your hand in a C-shape at the base of the breast and press while baby feeds. This is a different technique from hand expression, which is used more during the colostrum phase to stimulate production.
If, despite compression, baby continues to struggle, switch to the other breast. And always keep this in mind: offer both breasts at each feeding, at least once each, even if baby seems satisfied after the first. A breast that isn't stimulated receives the signal to slow down its production.
Storage Capacity, Unique to Each Woman
Two babies of the same age, with the same needs, can have very different feeding rhythms: one feeds 12 times a day, the other 6 times, without this reflecting the quality of their mother's milk. It all depends on the milk storage capacity in the breasts, which varies enormously from one woman to another, regardless of breast size.
Deciding for your baby, by making them wait because 'it's not time yet,' always ends up decreasing lactation.
Proper Positioning: The Key to a Comfortable Feeding
There isn't just one correct position: the essential thing is the mother's comfort and a belly-to-belly baby. To position them, support their shoulder blades rather than their head: the more stable the baby's body, the more energy they can put into sucking. Their head, however, should remain free to find the breast on its own, with an asymmetrical latch: chin into the breast, cheeks pressed against it, nose clear.
A Signal to Watch Out For: The Baby Who Sleeps Too Much
A 2 to 3-week-old infant who already sleeps 6 hours straight at night is not necessarily reassuring. It could be a sign of a baby who has gone into energy-saving mode rather than just a calm baby, with a risk of poor milk transfer and insufficient lactation as a result. In this case, it's best to consult a professional.
🔎 Useful definitions
Effective Feeding : a feeding where the baby alternates between phases of stimulation (rapid, shallow sucking) and actual swallowing, one suck for one swallow, rather than a feeding simply measured in minutes.
___
Breast Compression : a C-shaped hand position that presses the milk ducts at the back of the breast to increase milk flow when the baby starts to slow down. Different from hand expression.
___
Milk storage capacity : the amount of milk breasts can hold between two feedings. It varies greatly from one woman to another and explains why some babies feed more often than others, regardless of milk quality.
🎯 Practical actions
- Even if you receive conflicting information, try to forget the clock and rely on swallowing, not minutes:
- Observe that the baby alternates between sucking phases (stimulation) and actual swallows (one suck, one swallow)
- If swallows become less frequent, it's a signal to act rather than waiting 15 minutes
- Help the baby with breast compression as soon as they slow down:
- With a C-shaped hand at the back of the breast, press while the baby feeds
- This technique is different from hand expression, which is used more during the colostrum phase
- Switch breasts if compression isn't enough:
- Always offer both breasts at each feeding, at least once each
- An unstimulated breast receives the signal to slow down its production
- Never compare your feeding rhythm to another mom's:
- Milk storage capacity varies enormously from one woman to another
- A baby who feeds 12 times a day doesn't get less milk than a baby who feeds 6 times
- Position the baby belly-to-belly, in a comfortable position for you:
- Support at the shoulder blades rather than the head, to allow the baby to find the breast freely
- Aim for an asymmetrical latch: chin to breast, nose clear
- Consult if the baby is already sleeping long stretches at night from 2-3 weeks:
- This is not insignificant; it could be a sign of poor milk transfer or insufficient lactation.
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Summary
🔊 This program is an information program by a trained professional. This is generic advice and is not a personalized diagnosis. In all cases, we recommend that you be followed by a gynecologist and/or a midwife for individualized follow-up.
_____
⭐ The Milky Adventure series is made possible thanks to the participation of Fizimed, a French company that develops innovative solutions for women's health, such as their Emy Pump portable breast pump.
What you will learn in this episode
In this episode, Lauriane Emond teaches you how to recognize a truly effective feeding, without focusing on a timer. You'll understand how to help your baby when they start to tire at the breast, why you should never compare your breastfeeding journey to another mom's, and how to position yourself correctly for a comfortable feeding.
- What happens between colostrum and your milk coming in
- Recognizing an effective feeding: the one suck, one swallow rule
- How to help baby with breast compression and alternating breasts
- Why milk storage capacity varies from woman to woman
- Proper positioning for a comfortable feeding
💡 Key figures
More than two-thirds of women experience breast tension related to engorgement by day 5 postpartum, with symptoms peaking between days 3 and 5.
Source: Berens P, Brodribb W, « ABM Clinical Protocol #20: Engorgement », Breastfeeding Medicine, 2016.
___
Engorgement is less common when the baby spends more time feeding effectively during the first 48 hours of life.
Source: Berens P, Brodribb W, « ABM Clinical Protocol #20: Engorgement », Breastfeeding Medicine, 2016.
___
Breast milk storage capacity varies considerably from woman to woman, which explains why two babies of the same age can have very different feeding patterns without this reflecting the quality of their mother's milk.
Source: La Leche League France, leaflet « Breastfeeding: on demand? at the first signs of hunger? », 2024. Link to the leaflet.
Milk Coming In: A New Chapter
After colostrum, milk comes in, typically between the 2nd and 5th day after birth. The milk changes composition, becomes more abundant, and the blood and lymphatic vessels around the ducts swell to support this production: this is physiological engorgement. Breasts become hard, warm, sometimes painful, but this isn't always the case: some mothers feel almost nothing, and breastfeeding still gets off to a very good start.
Today, medication is no longer given to stop milk from coming in: even in a mother who doesn't wish to breastfeed, prolactin naturally increases after the placenta is expelled. The preference is to manage symptoms rather than block the physiological process.
An effective feeding isn't about minutes
It's often said that you need to leave baby on one breast for 15 minutes to access the famous hindmilk. This is true, but a very oversimplified belief. Milk is a bit like a pot of stew: all the nutrients are there from the beginning; they simply become more concentrated as the breast empties.
What we're really looking for in an effective feeding is the alternation between stimulation (rapid, shallow sucking) and actual swallowing: one suck, one swallow. If baby only stimulates without swallowing, they risk getting exhausted before eating enough, even if they stay quietly at the breast for the famous fifteen minutes.
Helping Baby When They Slow Down: Breast Compression
When swallows become less frequent, you can increase the flow with breast compression: place your hand in a C-shape at the base of the breast and press while baby feeds. This is a different technique from hand expression, which is used more during the colostrum phase to stimulate production.
If, despite compression, baby continues to struggle, switch to the other breast. And always keep this in mind: offer both breasts at each feeding, at least once each, even if baby seems satisfied after the first. A breast that isn't stimulated receives the signal to slow down its production.
Storage Capacity, Unique to Each Woman
Two babies of the same age, with the same needs, can have very different feeding rhythms: one feeds 12 times a day, the other 6 times, without this reflecting the quality of their mother's milk. It all depends on the milk storage capacity in the breasts, which varies enormously from one woman to another, regardless of breast size.
Deciding for your baby, by making them wait because 'it's not time yet,' always ends up decreasing lactation.
Proper Positioning: The Key to a Comfortable Feeding
There isn't just one correct position: the essential thing is the mother's comfort and a belly-to-belly baby. To position them, support their shoulder blades rather than their head: the more stable the baby's body, the more energy they can put into sucking. Their head, however, should remain free to find the breast on its own, with an asymmetrical latch: chin into the breast, cheeks pressed against it, nose clear.
A Signal to Watch Out For: The Baby Who Sleeps Too Much
A 2 to 3-week-old infant who already sleeps 6 hours straight at night is not necessarily reassuring. It could be a sign of a baby who has gone into energy-saving mode rather than just a calm baby, with a risk of poor milk transfer and insufficient lactation as a result. In this case, it's best to consult a professional.
🎯 Concrete actions
- Even if you receive conflicting information, try to forget the clock and rely on swallowing, not minutes:
- Observe that the baby alternates between sucking phases (stimulation) and actual swallows (one suck, one swallow)
- If swallows become less frequent, it's a signal to act rather than waiting 15 minutes
- Help the baby with breast compression as soon as they slow down:
- With a C-shaped hand at the back of the breast, press while the baby feeds
- This technique is different from hand expression, which is used more during the colostrum phase
- Switch breasts if compression isn't enough:
- Always offer both breasts at each feeding, at least once each
- An unstimulated breast receives the signal to slow down its production
- Never compare your feeding rhythm to another mom's:
- Milk storage capacity varies enormously from one woman to another
- A baby who feeds 12 times a day doesn't get less milk than a baby who feeds 6 times
- Position the baby belly-to-belly, in a comfortable position for you:
- Support at the shoulder blades rather than the head, to allow the baby to find the breast freely
- Aim for an asymmetrical latch: chin to breast, nose clear
- Consult if the baby is already sleeping long stretches at night from 2-3 weeks:
- This is not insignificant; it could be a sign of poor milk transfer or insufficient lactation.
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