Food and nutrition

What do I need to get breastfeeding off to a good start?

Breastfeeding takes time and patience to get the hang of, but it is well worth keeping at it.

Lots of Mums worry if their baby is getting enough milk, especially in the first few days. Once you get the hang of it, breastfeeding can be the easiest and most satisfying way to feed your baby. There is lots of help and support out there so if you find yourself struggling there is always support.

How often should I feed my baby?

Initially, your new-born will need to breastfeed frequently, both during the day and night.

While it may seem like you're feeding them constantly, this frequent feeding pattern is entirely normal. As your baby becomes more skilled and efficient at breastfeeding, they will naturally need to feed less often.

Allow your baby to be your guide when it comes to the frequency and duration of feedings. There's no need to worry about feeding your baby too frequently; it's not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby.

During the first two weeks, new-borns typically breastfeed at least eight times a day, around the clock. Additionally, your baby may exhibit an increased desire to feed during the night. This night-time feeding is important because it's when your body produces more prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production.

By responding to your baby's cues and allowing them to lead their feeding schedule, you're supporting their nutritional needs and ensuring they receive the nourishment required for healthy growth and development.

Cluster feeding

Cluster feeding is very normal and happens in the first 3 to 4 months of a baby's life. During this time, your baby may display an increased desire to feed more frequently.

This is completely normal and not a cause for concern. Cluster feeding can occur during daytime, night-time, or both. It's often associated with growth spurts, and your baby may engage in cluster feeding for several days during these periods. As your body adapts and produces more milk to meet the increased demand, your baby's feeding patterns should eventually return to a more typical routine.

Expressing

Expressing milk is the process of pumping milk from your breasts so that you can store it for later to feed your baby.

There are different methods for expressing breast milk, including manual expression by hand or using an electric or manual breast pump. You can choose the method that is most convenient and comfortable for you.

Once you've expressed your milk, you have a few options. You can offer it to your baby immediately, or you can choose to store it for future use. Proper storage in the refrigerator or freezer ensures that the milk remains safe and nutritious for your baby when you decide to use it.

You may wish to express if:

• Your baby was premature and has difficulty latching.
• You are returning to work.
• Your breasts feel very full.
• You wish to store milk to use later.
• You have started weaning.

Combining breast and bottle feeding, often referred to as mixed or combination feeding, can be a helpful approach for many parents. It's important to remember though, that combination feeding can impact the supply of maternal milk and could result in your body stopping producing milk. Here are some tips and information on how to successfully combine breast and bottle feeding:

Reasons to combine breast and bottle feeding

• Expressed breast milk: If you are breastfeeding and want to use a bottle to offer your baby some expressed breast milk.
• Mix of feeds: If you want to breastfeed for some of your baby's feeds but give bottles of formula for one or more feeds.
• Transition from bottle feeding; If you are bottle feeding your baby and want to start breastfeeding.
• Temporary separation: If you need to leave your baby and want to ensure they have some milk while you're away.

Introducing formula feeds

When introducing formula feeds alongside breastfeeding, consider the following:

• Gradual transition: It's best to introduce formula gradually to give your body time to reduce the amount of milk it produces. This can help lower the chances of experiencing discomfort, swollen breasts or mastitis.
• Planning for returning to work: If you're planning to go back to work, start introducing formula feeds a few weeks beforehand to give both you and your baby time to adjust.
• Alternative to bottles: If your baby is 6 months old or more and can drink milk from a cup, you may not need to introduce a bottle at all.

Giving your baby their first bottle

It may take some time for a breastfed baby to get used to bottle feeding. Consider the following tips:

• Choose the right time: It's often helpful to give the first few bottles when your baby is happy and relaxed, not when they are very hungry
• Different caregiver: Having someone else give the first bottle feeds can be beneficial, as it prevents your baby from smelling your breast milk and may reduce confusion.
• Change positions: You might want to try using a different position for bottle feeding compared to breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding more and reducing bottles

If you want to increase breastfeeding and reduce the number of bottles, here are some tips:

• Skin-to-skin contact: Hold and cuddle your baby as much as possible, ideally skin-to-skin as this encourages your body to make more milk and promotes breastfeeding.
• Regular breast milk expressions: Express your breast milk regularly to stimulate milk production. Your midwife, health visitor, or a breastfeeding supporter can show you how to do this.
• Bottle feeding close to the breast: Try bottle feeding while holding your baby skin-to-skin and close to your breasts to maintain a connection.
• Frequent feeding: If your baby is latching on, feed often. It's normal if your baby doesn't feed for extended periods initially.
• Right timing: Choose times when your baby is relaxed, alert, and not too hungry for breastfeeding, and don't force your baby to stay at the breast.
• Gradual reduction: Decrease the number of bottles gradually as your milk supply increases.
• Lactation aid: Consider using a lactation aid (supplementer) to support your baby's transition to breastfeeding. This tiny tube is taped next to your nipple and passes into your baby's mouth so they can get milk from the tube as well as from your breast.

Consult with your midwife, health visitor, or a breastfeeding supporter for guidance and support in managing mixed feeding and ensuring a smooth transition between breast and bottle feeding for your baby