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Receive our newsletterWhile breastfeeding is both nutritious and natural, it does not come easily to all new mothers. In this introduction registered nurse and midwife Nikki Khan outlines what you can expect as you begin to breastfeed as well as providing helpful hints and tips to trouble shoot any breastfeeding problems you may encounter and to make feeding your baby more comfortable.
In this introduction registered nurse and midwife Nikki Khan outlines what you can expect as you begin to breastfeed as well as providing helpful breastfeeding advice in the form of hints and tips to trouble shoot any breastfeeding problems you may encounter and to make feeding your baby more comfortable.
The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and from six months, babies need breast milk alongside their solid food until they are at least a year old. After this time, babies can continue to breastfeed] for as long as it suits you both. Breastfeeding gives your baby all the nutrients he/she desires for the first six months of life, helping to protect them from infections such as eczema and asthma to name but a few.
Probably the best piece of advice in the early days after birth is to let your baby guide you to his/her demands feeding when hungry. A feed within the first couple of hours of birth is the best time to give the first feed as your baby is often fairly alert after birth.
The first milk is called colostrum and is yellow in colour and quite rich but small in amount. For this reason it is usual for babies to lose up to 10 % of their birthweight. The main milk supply will not come in until about the 3rd day postnatal. In those first days before your milk is established your baby may feed every two to four hours
If your baby is premature and cannot breastfeed straight away, start expressing as soon as possible to stimulate your supply and the hospital staff will be happy to help you.
To maintain lactation by expressing you will need to express at least six to eight times in 24 hours;
Can be by hand or with a hand pump or an electric or battery operated pump
Use sterile containers
Milk can be stored in the fridge for up to five days
Breast milk can also be stored for up to two weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge or for up to six months in a freezer
Ensure you are seated in a comfortable position with a drink nearby as you always get thirsty when breastfeeding!
Feed on demand to maintain an adequate milk supply
Don’t rush the feed!
Changing your baby’s nappy before a feed can make your baby more comfortable when feeding
Ensure that your baby’s head and body is in a straight line for feeding and they are well supported so he does not have to reach and have to stretch for their feed.;
‘Nose to breast' – Your baby’s nose should be level with your nipple to achieve a good position for feeding;
‘Rugby hold’ – Baby positioned under your arm, it is how twins are fed and is known as ‘tandem feeding’!
The 'Traditional' hold is when your baby is lying across your tummy when feeding. Wait for your baby to have a wide mouth before putting them to the breast, otherwise they could ‘work’ their way on to the breast and make your nipple sore;
When correctly positioned the nipple should be toward the roof of your baby’s mouth
Your baby finishes the feed and comes off the breast on their own.
Breastfeeding works on a supply and demand so the more you feed the more milk you produce.
Try to maintain the night feeds in the early days as this is when the prolactin levels are highest, so avoid supplementing night feeds with formula feeds as this may suppress your lactation
With breastfeeding, your baby may be slower than bottle fed babies to gain weight but he/she should be gaining weight after the first two weeks
After the first few days following birth, your baby should have at least six wet nappies a day and be passing a minimum of two yellow stools daily. This is called a ‘changing’ stool
Drink 1.2 litres of fluid per day when breastfeeding
Eat regularly as your calorific needs increase when breastfeeding and maintain a well balanced diet
Ensure you get enough sleep, so sleep when your baby does, even during the day!
The Food standards Agency recommend taking a daily supplement of Vitamin D 10mcg
Try different positions such as alternating between the ‘rugby’ hold and the 'traditional' hold ;
Hand express some breast milk/colostrum on to the nipple. It has great healing properties;
Check positioning and ask for assistance if necessary
Occurs when your baby has not adequately emptied the breast;
Avoid supplements of formula;
Gentle massage of the breast can help
If your baby takes only one breast, you can alleviate engorgement of the breast that you are not using to feed by using a breast pump or by hand expressing milk.
Warm flannels on the breast can help to aid milk flow and cold compresses/flannels after a feed can be quite soothing;
Mastitis is a condition that causes the breast tissue to become inflamed and usually affects only one breast, causing it to become painful, red and swollen. Symptoms can include a fever and flu-like symptoms.
More frequent feeding or expressing excess milk after a feed can help.
More serious cases of mastitis may need antibiotics.
Fennel Tea – It really works to stimulate your milk supply!
Cabbage leaves – can help engorged breasts after a feed and can be quite soothing if the cabbage leaves have been in the fridge!
To speak with Nikki for individual expert breastfeeding advice view her profile.
View the full list of Greatvine experts who can offer help with breastfeeding problems.
