Breastfeeding is best for your baby, but for some mums it’s not always easy.  With the correct advice and support you should be able to breastfeed successfully for as long as you want to. The following FAQ’s provide additional information. 

What position should I use?

 It doesn't really matter which position you feed baby. Experiment with different positions to find one that you're comfortable with. If you've had a section you may find lying down more comfortable. Whichever position you choose to feed baby, it's important that baby's head and body are in a straight line. If baby's head is turned she will find it difficult to swallow.

How do I latch my baby on? It's important that you have your baby's nose level with your nipple. Gently touch her top lip which will make her open her mouth widely and tip her head backwards, now bring baby to your breast with your nipple aiming towards the roof of her mouth and she should take a big mouthful of breast. 

How do I know if she's latched on correctly?

Your baby's mouth will be full of breast and therefore will look full and her cheeks will not suck in whilst she is feeding.

You should be able to see more of the dark part of your nipple above baby's top lip than below her bottom.

Your nipple should feel comfortable.

You should be able to hear baby swallowing.

Will I make enough milk for my baby? 

Milk is produced on a supply and demand basis, so the more baby feeds, the more milk you will make. This means you should never run out of milk. 

How will I know if my baby is getting enough milk? 

A good guide is your baby's weight. Have her weighed regularly at the local clinic. If she's gaining weight then she's feeding well, but remember, it can take about 2 weeks for a new born baby to have returned to her birth weight. Baby should have plenty of wet and dirty nappies - if there's lots going in, then there should lots coming out. Also she should appear contented between most feeds.

How often should I feed baby?

Be led by baby. Feed her on demand. The timing between feeds and how long she feeds for will vary considerably. She may have hungry times when she seems to constantly be feeding and then may go several hours until her next feed. Some babies can take a feed in 10 minutes; others can take up to an hour. Usually babies are good at taking the right amount of milk they need.

Does my baby need any other fluids? 

No, breast milk is the only thing baby needs. As your milk is produced on supply on demand, offering other fluids can reduce your milk production. Using a teat in the early weeks can confuse baby and she then may struggle to breastfeed.

How long should I continue to breastfeed for? 

Unicef recommend you exclusively breastfeed until baby is 6 months old and that there are benefits to offering breast milk up to the age of 2 years. I always recommend that that you carry on for as long or as short as you want to. 

Breastfeeding should be an enjoyable experience. If it's hurting, then there's a problem somewhere. There is plenty of support in the community; ask your health visitor for details of local support groups and NCT counsellors.

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