Is it a problem if you can't eye contact baby while breastfeeding using the gestalt method?

Dr Pamela Douglas2nd of Jan 202419th of Apr 2024

Selected references

Douglas PS, Keogh R. Gestalt breastfeeding: helping mothers and infants optimise positional stability and intra-oral breast tissue volume for effective, pain-free milk transfer. Journal of Human Lactation. 2017;33(3):509–518.

Douglas PS, Geddes DB. Practice-based interpretation of ultrasound studies leads the way to less pharmaceutical and surgical intervention for breastfeeding babies and more effective clinical support. Midwifery. 2018;58:145–155.

Douglas PS, Perrella SL, Geddes DT. A brief gestalt intervention changes ultrasound measures of tongue movement during breastfeeding: case series. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2022;22(1):94. DOI: 10.1186/s12884-12021-04363-12887.

Next up in FAQs

How do you use the gestalt method when you're lying down to breastfeed?

How do you apply the gestalt method when you're side-lying to breastfeed?

Here are the steps you'd take as you apply the gestalt method in the side-lying position.

Lie on your side, with the breast you want to feed your baby from against the mattress.
Place a long very firm pillow behind your back and bottom for support in side-lying breastfeeding, since your hips and knees need to be in a straight line with the front of your torso, not bent up at all, to accommodate the length of baby's body. Bending up your hips or knees often results in breast tissue drag or baby fussing at the breast.
Adjust the tilt of your body so that your breast and nipple fall with enough height from the mattress to be level with your baby's mouth (that is, to create the landing pad!).
Bring baby up...

Is it a problem if you can't eye contact baby while breastfeeding using the gestalt method?

Selected references

Next up in FAQs

How do you apply the gestalt method when you're side-lying to breastfeed?

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