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The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of life.
Breastfeeding for six months or longer is preferable to shorter breastfeeding or formula feeding because it is independently and longitudinally associated with better development,
cognition, educational attainment and mental health throughout childhood and into adolescence.
Mothers should be encouraged, enabled and supported to continue breastfeeding for six months and longer in order to promote the optimum developmental health and well-being of your infants into childhood and adolescence.
But sometimes that simply isn't possible. When your baby has a weak suck or poor latch, Although most babies will learn to breastfeed effectively if given time, it is important to work with the baby's physician and a therapist who work for oromotor stimulation if a baby has difficulty sucking. Until the issue resolves there are several things you can do to help breastfeeding progress while you make sure your baby is getting enough to eat.
Step 1
Experiment with different breastfeeding holds to ensure that both you and your baby are comfortable during breastfeeding. While the cross-body cradle hold is common, your baby might be able to suck more efficiently from a football hold, where he's held under the armpit to reach the breast. Using pillows and other aids, you can position your baby for optimum latch and sucking.
Treatment guideline for infants with poor suck
Signs of Ineffective Sucking
A baby must be able to effectively remove milk from the breast during breastfeeding if he/she is to obtain enough milk to gain weight and "tell" the breasts to increase or maintain milk production. Therefore, ineffective milk removal can result in poor weight gain due to inadequate intake of milk by the baby, which is then followed by a drop in the amount of milk being produced for the baby >>>
Feeding Therapy
A baby must be able to effectively remove milk from the breast during breastfeeding if he/she is to obtain enough milk to gain weight and "tell" the breasts to increase or maintain milk production. Therefore, ineffective milk removal can result in poor weight gain due to inadequate intake of milk by the baby, which is then followed by a drop in the amount of milk being produced for the baby >>>
Good positions for breastfeeding referent by baby centre
Step 2
Stimulate your nipples to initiate milk flow, also known as letdown -- before your baby begins to eat. An oversupply of milk or a forceful letdown can result in your baby choking and swallowing air before beginning to suck, making breastfeeding an unpleasant experience. By letting down into a milk storage bag or cup before you begin feeding, you help relieve some of the pressure from your breasts so your baby can engage in a consistent sucking rhythm. Use a breast pump to help with this process if you desire and can afford one.
Step 3
Position your baby's mouth so that her bottom lip touches the area just outside the areola. When your baby latches on, ensure that she takes the entire nipple, areola and some of the breast tissue into her mouth. Sucking on just the nipple can result in inefficient and painful nursing. It may help to compress your breast into a flat "sandwich" parallel to your baby's mouth before allowing your baby to latch on to ensure the best latch possible.
Step 4
Wear a nipple shield if your baby has issues latching on or breastfeeding is painful for you. A nipple shield is a plastic piece that fits over your breast and creates a thinner nipple, which can be easier for a small infant to suck on. Nipple shields are particularly appropriate for premature infants, who may have smaller mouths or diminished sucking capacity.
Step 5
Monitor your baby's growth and development for signals of possible problems. So long as your baby is growing properly, he is sucking efficiently. If he's losing weight, your pediatrician should notice a problem at your well-child checkups following birth. Should your baby be losing weight or not eating enough, your doctor may suggest you supplement with formula or pump breast milk and bottle-feed to make it easier for your baby to eat and gain weight.
Always consult your baby's physician for more information or contact to speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist for a referral/ assessment for oral-motor deficits.