Breastfeeding
Why breastfeeding?
Providing your baby with your milk reduces the risk of many illnesses and diseases. Breastfeeding helps reduce your risk of getting breast and ovarian cancers and heart disease. Breastfeeding has lots of health benefits for your baby, your milk changes as your baby grows and supports their development. Your milk changes if your baby is unwell to help them fight infections, it can also reduce the risk of them developing chest infections, asthma, eczema, gastroenteritis and diabetes later in life.
Watch this video on human milk and how amazing it is.
Human milk, Tailor-made for Tiny Humans video
This video gives you lots of information on breastfeeding; from building a relationship with your unborn, the importance of colostrum and colostrum harvesting, positioning and attachment, breastfeeding expectations (such as cluster feeding), responsive feeding, recognising problems and normal baby behaviour.
Antenatal infant feeding video
The NHS have more information on common breastfeeding challenges.
Breastfeeding basics
Breastfeeding is a skill that is learnt by both you and your baby. Don’t be worried if it takes a little time to get the hang of. Here’s the headlines:
Skin to skin contact
Having skin to skin contact immediately after birth helps with bonding and getting feeding off to a good start, it helps to calm and relax you and baby, gives baby an interest in feeding and helps to protect them against infections.
Skin to skin is also great for older babies as it promotes the hormones needed for relaxation, bonding and feeding, if your baby is unsettled or you are having breastfeeding problems try having some skin to skin.
First milk
The first milk you produce when your baby is born is called colostrum, it is thick and yellow in colour. It is very concentrated, so you only produce tiny amounts, colostrum is full of essential nutrients for your baby and provides lots of protection against infection.
Some people collect their colostrum while they are pregnant (speak to your midwife to check it is safe for you to collect colostrum during pregnancy).
Watch information on hand expressing your milk
Knowing your baby is feeding well
Positioning and attaching your baby to breastfeed successfully is important. Baby must be attached well to be able to feed effectively and for you to be comfortable.
Information on positioning and attaching your baby at the breast.
More information on signs your baby is feeding well.
Responsive feeding
Breastfeeding is not just about giving your baby food, breastfeeding also provides your baby with comfort and helps them feel safe and secure. Being responsive to your baby’s cues to feed is essential, it will help your milk production and will help with baby’s growth and brain development. You may offer baby the breast if they are hungry, tired, unsettled, teething or if you feel your breasts are full, for convenience or just because you want to, this is responsive feeding.