As a trust we support informed consent around infant feeding choices, however recognise that breastfeeding and providing breastmilk for your baby has many benefits and can be the healthiest choice for both you and your baby.
Everyone can access our baby nutrition course online and discuss their feeding choices with their midwives, health visitors or person trained in breastfeeding throughout their pregnancy. This covers all you need to know about infant feeding, including the differences between formula and breast milk, what to expect over the first few days and the practical aspects of breastfeeding.
Baby nutrition
You may choose to hand express colostrum for you baby either antenatally or after birth. Your baby can be provided with colostrum via syringe even if you choose to formula feed from birth.
Some of the benefits of colostrum include;
- Strengthening your baby’s immune system from birth
- Easy to digest
- Has a laxative effect helping baby to have their first poos – meconium
- Can help babies stabilise blood sugars
To learn how to harvest colostrum please view;
Breastfeeding Support | Antenatal Colostrum Harvesting
Speak to your midwife about when to begin colostrum harvesting and to request a pack for collection.
The first few days of life
Initially your milk will be colostrum which is tailored to support babies to learn to eat and breath at the same time.
It comes in tiny amounts and your baby may want to feed very frequently. Babies who are birthed with support from forceps or ventouse cap may struggle to feed to begin with. Babies who are born prematurely or unwell may also struggle to latch and feed. Your midwife or midwifery support worker will be able to support you with hand expressing to ensure your baby is kept fed while you stimulate your milk supply.
You will be able to get support to latch your baby while you are on the ward and at home from your community team.
Here is some information on how to latch your baby
Positioning and attachment
This is a great slow motion video of the position to latch your baby
Video on latching your newborn to the breast;
Latching a newborn
You may find feeding your baby laying down is more comfortable to start with and enables you to get some rest. Ask your midwife or midwifery support worker for help
Breastfeeding in the side-lying position | Breastfeeding - YouTube
What is normal
Babies have very small stomachs and need to feed very frequently. We would expect;
- At least 8 feeds in a 24 hour period but many will feed a lot more
- At least one period a day of cluster feeding if they are breastfeeding
- You may experience some pain during feeds. This should not last the whole of the breastfeed and your nipple should not be damaged
- Your baby should have the nappies we expect to see in the first 5 days of life
- Your baby should be waking for feeds most of the time. You may be asked to wake them if they are premature or have been unwell to start with.
- Your baby should have times after a feed where they are settled and sleep. Even if this is only in someone’s arms.
What is not normal
- Bleeding or damaged nipples
- A baby who is not having enough wet or dirty nappies
- A baby who is constantly feeding with long feeds or very short feeds.
- A baby who is never settled after a breastfeed, even in your arms
- A baby who will not latch to the breast
- A baby who is very sleepy and not waking for feeds
If you experience any of the above please contact Ward 11, your community team or the infant feeding team.
Cluster feeding
Many babies will have periods where they feed very frequently with their feeds being close together.
This might last for a few hours and is often in the evening and overnight. Around day 2-3 there is a growth spurt which can mean baby is cluster feeding for much longer as they try to transition your milk from colostrum to mature milk. This is normal and it is important to allow your baby to feed as they wish.
If your baby is constantly feeding and this lasts all the time seek support from Ward 11 or your community team.
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
When you are breastfeeding you may be concerned how to understand if your baby is getting enough milk.
Nappies are a great sign as well as getting a feeding assessment done by a midwife, midwifery support worker or person trained in breastfeeding. You can also look to see if your baby is swallowing milk while breastfeeding. You may find it easier to see once your milk has changed from colostrum.
Here is a video on how to tell if your baby is swallowing milk at the breast.
If you are worried your baby isn’t eating well, please ask for support via Ward 11 or your community team
How to recognise when a baby is drinking well - YouTube
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
Engorgement
When your milk changes from colostrum to milk you can find your breasts feel very heavy and full. This can be painful and make it difficult for your baby to latch to the breast. Tips for engorgement are;
- Try hand expressing before a feed to soften your breasts to make it easier to latch your baby
- Cold compresses can be soothing on your breasts
- Cabbage leaves may help
- Wear a comfortable well fitted bra that is not to tight
- Regularly feed your baby to allow your breasts to soften.
You can find more information here;
Engorgement
If you are unable to latch your baby or your breasts feel very full and you feel unwell contact Ward 11 or your community team.
Expressing Breastmilk
If you choose to express your breastmilk and feed your baby with a bottle you will need a breast pump.
There are many available on the market now and it is personal preference. However you may find a double electric pump allows you to pump quickly and get more breastmilk for your baby.
You will need to pump around 8 times a day to build your milk supply in the first 6 weeks following birth. It is important that your pump is well fitted and comfortable for you. You will also need to consider paced bottle feeding.
If you have to pump due to feeding issues such as a non latching baby, unwell baby or premature baby it may be possible to rent a breast pump from your midwife. Please speak to your midwife on Ward 11 or in the community.
Information on expressing can be found here;
Expressing breastmilk
You can find more information about expressing, pace feeding and sterilisation by clicking here.
