Top 10 feeding tips

 

1. Offering your baby regular breastfeeds, when he’s hungry, ensures your milk supply will grow to match your baby’s needs. The more baby feeds, the more milk you will make for him.

2. Baby should have a wide open mouth to latch onto the breast correctly. He should take lots of breast tissue into his mouth to help him feed well and efficiently – not just the nipple.

3. Breastfeeding should not be painful if you and your baby are doing it correctly. Check the shape of your nipple when baby comes off the breast. It should be round and look normal, and not be ‘pinched’ or misshapen.

4. Cold, green cabbage leaves are great at soothing hard engorged breasts when your milk comes in. Pop a couple into your bra for half an hour or so after each feed.

5. Encourage baby to empty the first breast at each feed. This way he’ll get both the thirst-quenching foremilk, and  the richer hindmilk each time.

6. On average, a breastfed baby will want to feed every 2-4 hrs. A feed can last 10 mins to over an hour at first. Every mum and baby is unique and will have their own pattern of feeds.

7. Accept any help you can get from those around you in the early weeks, so you can concentrate on establishing breastfeeding and looking after yourself and your baby.

8. For first month tummy gripes and wind, try holding baby upright over your shoulder after feeds-rubbing and patting his back. Pick him up for soothing cuddles – you can’t spoil him at this age.

9. Using a lanolin nipple cream can help soothe your nipples in the early weeks of feeding. Use a small amount on the nipple only after a feed.

10. Signs your baby is getting enough milk are if he is settling between feeds, waking at regular intervals to be fed, has yellow runny stools and lots of wet nappies, and is gaining weight steadily.