6min read
How to breastfeed
You’ve probably heard that breastfeeding is a great way of providing the right source of nutrition and food for your baby, but you may feel that you need to find out more about the practicalities of breastfeeding – such as how to actually get started – before you decide whether it is the right course of action for you and your baby.
How breastfeeding helps your baby
Breastfeeding is a way of giving your baby the food he or she needs, whilst building up their immune system and aiding in the protection against infections (even after the breastfeeding period has ended). However, each mother needs to make an individual choice as to whether breastfeeding is right for you and the baby.
In some cases, breastfeeding may be too painful, difficulties with latching on, or you may just decide that it isn’t something that you are not comfortable with and would prefer to bottle-feed your baby instead. Whatever decision you make, it needs to be one that you and anyone else involved in the child’s upbringing (e.g. your partner) are happy with. If you do decide to begin with bottle-feeding, and then change your mind - it can be extremely difficult to change to breastfeeding at a later stage. So the best thing you can do for you and your baby is to get as much information as you can at the outset before making any decisions. You can speak to your midwife and health visitor about all your options.
If you are still unsure once the baby is born, it might be a good idea to try breastfeeding initially, that way you haven’t limited your options to using only formula. It’s also possible to mix bottle-feeding along with breastfeeding, but it is advisable to wait until breastfeeding has been well established before introducing the formula feeds as this will increase your chances of maintaining a good milk supply.
It might be difficult to grasp this in the first few weeks, but it does get easier when a natural routine has formed. If you are struggling, please get in touch with your midwife or health visitor for support.
Sore nipples
Nipple soreness can be a painful and off-putting side-effect of breastfeeding, but there are ways of tackling the problem. The majority of new mums will experience some tenderness when they first start breastfeeding their new baby due to hormonal changes, but this should improve after a few days. If the soreness persists, it can be because of a number of reasons. If the pain continues throughout the feed, the baby may be incorrectly positioned or not latching on to the breast properly, which has resulted in your baby not sucking correctly. Check the positioning of your baby, perhaps even asking someone else to watch you in the feeding position and help you make any necessary alterations.
Ensure that your baby’s mouth is open widely enough, as they need to have a mouthful of breast not just suck on the nipple. If your baby has latched onto just the nipple, break the suction by inserting your finger into the corner of their mouth, and gently remove them from your breast – just pulling the nipple straight out without breaking suction, will cause you pain. When the baby is correctly positioned, you should feel a reduction in discomfort and maybe even immediate relief. However if the problem still persists after a few days, you should consult your doctor or a breastfeeding counsellor.
Sore nipples which develop weeks or months into breastfeeding may be a result of thrush. Very pink, flaky and itchy nipples can be symptoms of thrush. Make an appointment with your doctor for you and your baby, for a diagnosis and treatment. Avoid using coverings that prevent air circulation, such as breast pads with plastic backings, which may even lead to nipple thrush. Try expressing a few drops of milk after the feed and gently rubbing it onto the sore area – this will help the healing process. Chemicals in deodorants and perfumes can cause irritation to sensitive areas, so take care to avoid any contact with your nipples.
Our top tips
How you hold your baby (positioning) when breastfeeding can make all the difference to how comfortable both you and your baby feel, and also how easily your baby manages to feed.
Before you begin the process, make sure you are sitting comfortably.
- You need to be facing your baby tummy to tummy. You can tuck your baby’s bottom under your elbow for additional support or use a pillow.
- Support your baby behind the neck and shoulders.
- Begin with your baby’s nose in front of your nipple.
- Allow their head to tilt back and move their mouth softly across your nipple until their mouth opens widely.
- Bring your baby towards your breast – with their bottom lip and chin reaching your breast first.
- Your baby's chin will be in close contact with your breast. They should be able to breathe easily. Your baby should have a large mouthful of breast.
- You may find that supporting your breast with your hand helps the process.
- Your baby will let you know when they’ve had enough – by releasing your breast from their mouth and not attempting to latch on (take the breast) again.
- Breastfeeding should be a comfortable experience for you and your baby; your baby is relaxed and a soft swallowing sound is audible. If you don’t feel that this is the case, then begin the process again – it’s natural to need a bit of practice until you and your baby get into a routine.
- You can get in touch with your midwife, health visitor or GP for more information on breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How often should I feed my baby?
A: Newborn babies feed little and often, as their stomachs are so small. Typically they may want to feed on an hourly basis.
Q: Why isn’t my baby feeding?
A: Allow yourself time to eat healthily, rest and focus on feeding, as your baby may be noticing your anxiety. If the problem persists or your baby seems unwell, contact your doctor.
Q: Will breastfeeding alter the appearance of my breasts?
A: This varies from woman to woman. You may notice that they become a little smaller or larger after you have breastfed.
Q: Will substances such as alcohol be passed to my baby through breastfeeding?
A: Yes, small amounts will filter through. Although an occasional drink is unlikely to cause any severe problems, it is best to avoid drinking completely if possible.
Q: Will any medication that I’m taking affect my baby?
A: The medication will get into their system, so it is important that you inform your GP that you are breastfeeding, before starting any course of treatment. They are unlikely to suffer an allergic reaction to such a small amount of medication, but there’s a chance that it will cause them to have an upset tummy.
Further resources
If you would like further support and advice, call our helpline on 0808 800 2222 or email us at askus@familylives.org.uk. You can talk to us online via our live chat service or message us via WhatsApp on 07441 444125 to connect with experienced professional family support workers and highly-trained volunteers. You may find it helps to find out how other parents and carers have coped with this on our online forums. We also have a range of free self-guided online parenting courses that can help through the ages and stages of parenting.
Our online parenting information is written by experienced parenting professionals. Find out more about our content authors, how it is produced, reviewed and edited.
Other organisations that can help
Find out more about latching on with advice from the NHS.
The Breastfeeding Network has a helpful website and dedicated helpline to help new parents on any issus around breastfeeding.