Breastfeed your baby

Feeding your baby is more than just a matter of nutrition…..

It’s also about bonding and comfort. Using feeding time to make eye contact and hold your baby are great ways to increase that bonding time.

Not only is breast milk free, it also contains everything your baby needs until she starts weaning.

How to…

1. You can choose any position you wish to nurse in, whether that be a seated or laying down position. It should be one that gives you the best feeding position for your baby and their needs.

Many people use the cradle hold, seated upright, holding baby like a cradle. This allows you to hold the baby with one hand and use the other to support or move your breast.

2. No matter what position you decide on, get some support! A nursing pillow or using couch or bed pillows to help you hold baby up will save strain on your neck and back. Ask for help from others if you’re just learning.

Dreamgennii make a fantastic pregnancy pillow that can also be used as a breastfeeding support.
3. A good latch is one of the most important parts of breastfeeding comfortably.

This directly goes back to a good position of the baby. Your baby should be belly to belly with you and chin to breast.

If baby is twisted or has their head turned it can make it not only more difficult for them to get milk, but it can make your nipples very sore.

The picture gives a clear image of correct placement, but it’s not easy to achieve, so don’t worry if you don’t get it first time! it takes time and patience.
4. Use your one hand to cup the breast and offer it to baby. Baby should open his or her mouth wide enough to take a good portion of the areola tissue (darker portion of the breast) into the mouth. As baby does this pull them closer to the breast and watch them nurse.

*If you didn’t get a good latch the first time, don’t be tempted to leave the baby on anyway. Just remove the baby from the breast by sliding your finger inbetween your nipple and their mouth and try again. It may take several tries before you get a good latch. As your baby learns to breastfeed, it will get easier.


5. While baby is nursing you want to look for a few things to ensure all is well.

  • Your baby should have their lips flared around the breast.

  •  Your baby’s tongue should be curled around your breast. (If you gently pull the lower lip down a bit while they are feeding you can usually see.

  • You are able to hear your baby swallowing.

6.  you can either offer both sides of your breasts during feeding, or you can offer alternative breasts at each feed (left side one feed and right feed the next feed) This is personal choice, so whichever your comfortable with is fine, however, it is important to remember here that Foremilk is the thirst quenching milk, and the milk that  is lying in the front of your breasts, this is the first milk that baby drinks with a breastfeeding session and this milk is watery compared to hind milk and is usually bluish in color. This milk is milk is abundant in vitamins, protein and carbohydrates.

The second milk (Hindmilk) is the milk further at the back of your breasts that looks thicker and darker in color. This hindmilk is calorie loaded and much higher in fat and helps your baby put on weight.

Breastfeeding should be the most natural thing in the world, but for some women it is not. Don’t ever fee like a failure if you have trouble breastfeeding your baby, it takes time and patience and understanding.

Don’t worry if you don’t pick it up right away either – lot’s of mothers take a few weeks, even months to get breastfeeding established, this is why support is important.

If at any time you have concerns or just need some support, contact your health visitor who will be able to help or put you in touch with a breastfeeding support group.