Breastfeeding New Born in Side Lying Position – Reflecting Upon a Clinical Encounter

Abstract

Breast feeding is essential to positively impact an infant’s health, nutrition, survival and growth. It is the great foundation of nourishment for an infant [1]. There are number of positions to facilitate comfortable breastfeeding. Among these positions, side lying is a position in which a woman lies laterally with the infant lying beside her. It is considered as most convenient position because it is not only fulfilling infant’s demand of being fed but it also decreases maternal discomfort after the birth. The position itself has benefits but on the same side it has risks associated with it, which should be considered while counseling mother regarding breastfeeding. In reproductive health practice at a secondary hospital of Pakistan, we were able to identify the described situation and learn few insights from the situation, when we observe and meet a 23 years old Primigravida. She was admitted at 38th week of gestation for a delivery via Caesarean section.