We asked the experts for the one thing they’d tell you over all other advice when it comes to getting to grips with breastfeeding as a new mum
Posted: 19 October 2011
by Lara Brunt and Jenny Stallard
“Make yourself comfy before you start”
Sam Telfer, 35, inventor of the BreastVest, mum to Fred, 3, and 8 months pregnant
“Make sure you’re feeling as comfortable and confident as you can, ensuring that wherever you are (and whatever you’re wearing) you find it easy to breastfeed without having to worry about exposing anything you’d rather keep under wraps. For me it was my postnatal tummy, which I was very conscious of. Knowing it was covered made me a lot more comfortable when feeding in public.”
“Freeze your excess milk”
Liz Jimenez-Cooper, breastfeeding community peer supporter (littleangels.org.uk)
“Breast milk keeps in the freezer for six months, so if you find that you express too much milk you can keep a supply. It’ll be handy for when you go back to work or for unexpected nights out. You can buy special plastic bags to keep expressed milk in, or use plastic bottles. Just make sure you don’t forget to write on it the date that the milk was expressed and use the oldest ones first.”
“Look at your baby’s nappy”
Gillian Dean, breastfeeding peer supporter (littleangels.org.uk)
“The best way to check how much milk your baby’s getting is from his wet and dirty nappies – something must be going in for it to be coming out!”
“Get naked!”
Anne Richley, Practical Parenting's midwife
“The first fortnight of breastfeeding can be tough, but if you keep going, it does get easier. If you’re struggling, get back to basics with some skin-to-skin contact. Strip off your baby and take off your top and bra, too. This is nice to do when you’ve changed a nappy or in the evening when you’re both relaxed and at home so there’s time and privacy. Make sure the room’s warm, then hold your baby against you, letting him root, smell and feel for the breast. Give him time, talking to him to encourage him. When he finds it, let him start sucking. Then sit back and let the oxytocin and a feeling of success wash over you.”
“Take it one feed at a time”
Margarita Atieh, maternity nurse
“Don’t feel you have to start a feeding structure for the first few weeks. It’ll take time for your milk supply to build up and to recognise your baby’s feeding patterns. Make sure your baby has a mouthful of breast and listen to see if he’s swallowing as this indicates that he’s latched on properly. If not, break his suction by inserting your little finger into the inside of your baby’s cheek.”
"Don’t panic"
Diane Emery, director at breastfeeding support company Lansinoh
“If you experience swollen breasts, your nipples may become flat or inverted. It’s temporary and they’ll soon return to normal, allowing you to continue to enjoy the bond breastfeeding brings.”
“Patience is the key to happy feeding”
Sioned Hilton, lactation consultant at Medela UK
“The one thing I would say to every new mother when they start breastfeeding is to be realistic. It does take time but this investment in the early days is certainly worth it. Babies do feed frequently in the first few weeks of life but this is a wonderful experience that should be comfortable for both of you. However, new mums should be aware that their nipples may be a little tender at first, although this is only a temporary blip while your breasts get used to the baby feeding. If you take the time to ensure that your baby’s position and attachment is right, it will certainly make this journey far smoother. Between days 3 to 5, before your milk comes in, is a vital period when your baby will be getting the all-important benefits of the colostrum, it’ll then take about two more weeks to settle into an established breastfeeding routine. This is a special time for both mother and baby to begin to bond and share the unique benefits of breastfeeding.”
“Ask for help”
“The first week or so can be tough as you’re both still learning. Like most skills we learn in life it gets easier with practice and sometimes we need a coach. Get advice from a breastfeeding counsellor – try the NCT (nctpregnancyandbabycare.com), or Breastfeeding Network (breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk). It won’t cost anything and they know how to help. It takes time to get used to, so don’t worry if you don’t feel expert straight away.”
“Study how it’s done”
Becky Goddard-Hill, 39, from Nottinghamshire, mum to Franklyn, 6, and Annalise, 3
“My son was only 3lbs when he was born so he was in intensive care and I got a lot of help with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding just doesn’t work for some people, but if you give yourself a fighting chance by talking to friends, looking up positions in books, watching videos on YouTube, even banning visitors in the first week, you’ve got a better chance of succeeding.”
“Watch your baby, not the clock”
Pinky McKay, lactation consultant (pinkymckay.com.au)
“Trying to impose a strict feeding schedule, rather than looking for your baby’s cues, is not only likely to result in unnecessary crying, but may be a risk to his health. We eat and drink according to our own body signals and so should babies. Most babies needs to breastfeed eight to ten times a day, and up to 12 to 14 times a day during appetite increases. If your baby seems to be hungrier than usual, follow his lead. Take it easy for a few days, offer skin-to-skin cuddles to boost your breastfeeding hormones and allow unlimited access to your breasts. Take baby and a good book to bed with you – the more your baby sucks, the more milk you’ll make. Soon, he’ll settle into a predictable rhythm again.”
