Breastfeeding

Feeding your baby on the breast or with a bottle can take some practice. There are lots of guidance and tips offering techniques to help. Moving on to solid foods needs some careful planning and guidance on drinks, meal ideas and food safety can be useful to know.

Natural protection from infections and disease

Mum's milk gives your baby all the nutrients he or she needs for around the first six months of life. It helps to protect your baby from infections and other diseases and as a mum, it also reduces your chances of getting some illnesses in later life.

Useful Tips

Hold your baby against your skin straight after birth this helps your baby settle, keeps him/her warm and stimulates your body to start producing milk.
Get lots of support in the first hours /days with ensuring your baby is comfortably and effectively positioned and attached to your breast.
Drink plenty of fluids, rest whenever you can and eat regularly.
Your baby should be having at least six wet nappies and two dirty nappies in 24 hours in the first few weeks.
Feed your baby responsively as and when they want to feed. Some feeds may be short and some long.
Ask for help as many times as you need to. There are support services locally and online resources available whenever you need them.
Consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
In the first few weeks, your baby will need to wake regularly in the night for feeds…..this is normal.
Giving formula feeds can affect the amount of breast milk you make.
From four weeks you can start to express milk and store it.

Breast Feeding FAQs

How often does my baby need to breastfeed?

All mothers and babies are different, and you and your baby will work out your own feeding pattern together. As a very rough guide, your baby should be fed at least 8 times every 24 hours during the first few weeks.

Do not worry about feeding your baby whenever either of you wants to. You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby, and your baby will not become spoiled or demanding if you feed them whenever they're hungry or need comfort.

How

Every baby is different. Some babies want frequent short feeds, and others prefer feeding for longer, or a mixture of both. Let your baby finish the first breast, then offer the second.

If your baby feeds all the time and you're worried, speak to a midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist. You may need some help with positioning and attachment. You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.

How long should I breastfeed for?

Exclusive breastfeeding (breast milk only) is recommended for around the first 6 months of your baby's life. Breastfeeding alongside solid foods is best for babies from 6 months.

You and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you like. Breastfeeding into your baby's 2nd year or beyond, alongside other foods, is ideal.

Lots of mothers carry on breastfeeding when they go back to work or college. Read more about breastfeeding after returning to work. You do not have to stop breastfeeding if you get pregnant again, either.

Find out more about how to stop breastfeeding.

Why is "responsive feeding" so important?

A newborn baby's stomach is very small, so they need to feed little and often. Your baby can have a good feed and be hungry again quite quickly. This is why "responsive feeding" – also called "baby-led" or "on-demand" feeding – is so important.

The idea is that you respond to your baby's cues. Breastfeeding is not only about your baby getting enough milk. Your baby feeds for comfort and reassurance, too.

Babies go through different patterns of feeding as they grow. Letting them feed when they need to will ensure they're content and getting the milk they need, when they need it, and will also stimulate your milk supply.

Responsive feeding also has to do with your needs. You may want to offer to breastfeed if your breasts are uncomfortably full, if you need to fit in a feed around other commitments, or if you just want to sit down and enjoy spending some time with your baby.

Can I breastfeed after a caesarean?

Yes, you can. Make sure you get a skin-to-skin cuddle with your baby as soon as you're able to. A midwife may help you have a skin-to-skin cuddle while you're still in theatre, or in the recovery room.

If you keep your baby close to you and maintain lots of skin-to-skin contact, you'll be able to put them to the breast often and this will stimulate your milk supply.

After a caesarean, you might find the "rugby hold" (where the baby's body is around to the side of your body, supported by your arm on the same side) is preferable to having it lie against your stomach. Ask a midwife about pain relief so you can feed your baby more comfortably.

Are there any reasons why I should not breastfeed?

Very occasionally, there are sound medical reasons for not breastfeeding. For example, if you have HIV or, in rare cases, you're taking a medicine that could harm your baby, such as medicines for treating cancer.

If you're not sure whether you should breastfeed your baby, speak to a midwife or health visitor for information and support.

Can I still breastfeed with more than 1 baby?

Twins, triplets and other multiples can be breastfed. In fact, because multiple babies are more likely to be born prematurely and have a low birth weight, breast milk is especially important for them.

When you start breastfeeding, you may find it easier to feed each of your babies separately. When you feel more confident, you can feed them at the same time. This may take a few weeks.

It can be really helpful to talk to other mothers who have breastfed twins, either at an antenatal group or at a twins group in your area. Triplets can be breastfed, either 2 together and then 1 after or all 3 rotated at each feed.