If the baby has successfully completed the Breast Crawl and taken the first breastfeed, does it ensure successful establishment of breastfeeding?
The Breast Crawl is a wonderful method to initiate breastfeeding. Proper initiation does not necessarily mean successful establishment of breastfeeding. It is the first giant step, no doubt, of a process which ultimately ends with establishment of lactation in a few days. In this period mothers need to recognize and respond to early infant feeding cues and confirm that the baby is being fed at least 8 times in each 24 hours. Frequency of feeding and skin-to-skin contact is the key to success. Rooming-in, demand feeding, proper techniques of attachment, positioning and expression of breastmilk coupled with appropriate support to the mother is crucial to establishment of successful lactation.
