Breastfeeding
Feeding your baby on the breast or with a bottle can take some practice. There are lots of guidance and tips offering techniques to help. Moving on to solid foods needs some careful planning and guidance on drinks, meal ideas and food safety can be useful to know.
Natural protection from infections and disease
Mum's milk gives your baby all the nutrients he or she needs for around the first six months of life. It helps to protect your baby from infections and other diseases and as a mum, it also reduces your chances of getting some illnesses in later life.
Useful tips
Whether you're just starting your breastfeeding journey or looking for reassurance along the way, these practical tips can help you feel more confident and supported during the early weeks with your baby:
- hold your baby against your skin straight after birth this helps your baby settle, keeps him/her warm and stimulates your body to start producing milk.
- get lots of support in the first hours /days with ensuring your baby is comfortably and effectively positioned and attached to your breast
- drink plenty of fluids, rest whenever you can and eat regularly
- your baby should be having at least six wet nappies and two dirty nappies in 24 hours in the first few weeks
- feed your baby responsively as and when they want to feed. Some feeds may be short and some long
- ask for help as many times as you need to. There are support services locally and online resources available whenever you need them
- consider taking a vitamin D supplement
- in the first few weeks, your baby will need to wake regularly in the night for feeds…..this is normal
- giving formula feeds can affect the amount of breast milk you make
- from four weeks you can start to express milk and store it
Breast feeding FAQs
How often does my baby need to breastfeed?
All mothers and babies are different, and you and your baby will work out your own feeding pattern together. As a very rough guide, your baby should be fed at least 8 times every 24 hours during the first few weeks.
Do not worry about feeding your baby whenever either of you wants to. You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby, and your baby will not become spoiled or demanding if you feed them whenever they're hungry or need comfort.
How long should each breastfeed last?
Every baby is different. Some babies want frequent short feeds, and others prefer feeding for longer, or a mixture of both. Let your baby finish the first breast, then offer the second.
If your baby feeds all the time and you're worried, speak to a midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist. You may need some help with positioning and attachment. You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.
How long should I breastfeed for?
Exclusive breastfeeding (breast milk only) is recommended for around the first 6 months of your baby's life. Breastfeeding alongside solid foods is best for babies from 6 months.
You and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you like. Breastfeeding into your baby's 2nd year or beyond, alongside other foods, is ideal.
Lots of mothers carry on breastfeeding when they go back to work or college. Read more about breastfeeding after returning to work. You do not have to stop breastfeeding if you get pregnant again, either.
Find out more about how to stop breastfeeding.
Why is "responsive feeding" so important?
A newborn baby's stomach is very small, so they need to feed little and often. Your baby can have a good feed and be hungry again quite quickly. This is why "responsive feeding" – also called "baby-led" or "on-demand" feeding – is so important.
The idea is that you respond to your baby's cues. Breastfeeding is not only about your baby getting enough milk. Your baby feeds for comfort and reassurance, too.
Babies go through different patterns of feeding as they grow. Letting them feed when they need to will ensure they're content and getting the milk they need, when they need it, and will also stimulate your milk supply.
Responsive feeding also has to do with your needs. You may want to offer to breastfeed if your breasts are uncomfortably full, if you need to fit in a feed around other commitments, or if you just want to sit down and enjoy spending some time with your baby.
Can I breastfeed after a caesarean?
Yes, you can. Make sure you get a skin-to-skin cuddle with your baby as soon as you're able to. A midwife may help you have a skin-to-skin cuddle while you're still in theatre, or in the recovery room.
If you keep your baby close to you and maintain lots of skin-to-skin contact, you'll be able to put them to the breast often and this will stimulate your milk supply.
After a caesarean, you might find the "rugby hold" (where the baby's body is around to the side of your body, supported by your arm on the same side) is preferable to having it lie against your stomach. Ask a midwife about pain relief so you can feed your baby more comfortably.
Are there any reasons why I should not breastfeed?
Very occasionally, there are sound medical reasons for not breastfeeding. For example, if you have HIV or, in rare cases, you're taking a medicine that could harm your baby, such as medicines for treating cancer.
If you're not sure whether you should breastfeed your baby, speak to a midwife or health visitor for information and support.
Can I still breastfeed with more than 1 baby?
Twins, triplets and other multiples can be breastfed. In fact, because multiple babies are more likely to be born prematurely and have a low birth weight, breast milk is especially important for them.
When you start breastfeeding, you may find it easier to feed each of your babies separately. When you feel more confident, you can feed them at the same time. This may take a few weeks.
It can be really helpful to talk to other mothers who have breastfed twins, either at an antenatal group or at a twins group in your area. Triplets can be breastfed, either 2 together and then 1 after or all 3 rotated at each feed.
Read more about feeding twins or more.
Breastfeeding help and support
If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding, there is help and support available. You can:
- talk to a friend or family member who has breastfed
- ask a GP, midwife or health visitor
- call a helpline, such as the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212
- look at reliable websites, such as The Breastfeeding Network
- join a local breastfeeding support group – ask a health visitor for details
Getting started with breastfeeding - The Breastfeeding Network
Antenatal Expression of Colostrum - La Leche League GB
Breastfeeding and relationships in the early days video - Baby Friendly Initiative
Local and national support
Growing Healthy
Access advice and support from your local health visiting service, here you can book an appointment, chat on-line and access information to help you on your feeding journey.
Growing Healthy 0-19 Westmorland & Furness - HDFT Children's Health Service
Anya app
Any family with a Westmorland and Furness postcode can access the FREE premium pregnancy, parenting and infant feeding App, this will compliment our local health visiting and family hub digital and in-person offers. This App covers your antenatal and postnatal journey, right over the first 1001 days of your baby’s life.
Anya app - 24/7 breastfeeding and parenting support in Westmorland & Furness
Midwifery support
Midwives provide guidance and support with your feeding choices, particularly in the early weeks. Both hospital trusts offer advice and drop-in sessions across Westmorland and Furness.
Eden: Maternity, North Cumbria Integrated Care
Family Hub drop-in support groups
South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support
From social support and encouragement to skilled support with breastfeeding challenges, here to help you reach your own breastfeeding goals, whatever they may be.
There are 3 free drop-in groups each week in Kendal, Windermere and Ulverston. You can come for 1:1 help with anything related to breastfeeding, as well as having the social support of other mums who attend the groups. They also provide support through videocall for people who cannot come to a group, or who need urgent support in between groups. Mothers in and around South Cumbria are invited to join our private Facebook group.
National Breastfeeding Helpline
The National Breastfeeding Helpline offers friendly, non-judgemental, independent, evidence based breastfeeding support and information to anyone in the UK who needs it. The helpline is provided by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.
National Breastfeeding Helpline
Skin-to-skin and expressing
Skin-to-skin contact - Baby Friendly Initiative
The Breastfeeding Network - Expressing and storing breast milk [PDF, 1MB]