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Breastfeeding is a skill that takes time to get the hang of. Lots of mums wonder if their baby's feeding well and getting enough - especially in the first few days.

But once you've mastered it, you'll probably find it's the easiest and most satisfying way to feed your baby.

We're here to provide lots of helpful information and advice on breastfeeding.

If you have any breastfeeding worries or concerns, the best thing to do is speak to your midwife or health visitor, or join a local breastfeeding support group.

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Breastfeeding can take practice - read our guides on breastfeeding to find out what works best for you

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Learn parent-proven techniques on how to burp your baby

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Different ways and tips

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Useful guide to expressing, when to express, why its useful, and how to do it! Details of hand expressing and pump, and how to use Expressed breast milk.

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Bottle feeding tips for breastfed babies. 

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Bottle feeding tips for breastfed babies. 

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If you want to introduce a bottle but also continue to breastfeed, it's a good idea to make sure breastfeeding is well established before you try giving a bottle (University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, 2014). That is unless you need to give your baby a bottle sooner for medical or other reasons (NHS, 2017).

Watch our video for tips on expressing breastmilk.

Breastfeeding should be well established beforehand because some babies find learning to breastfeed difficult if bottles are introduced. Although there are other babies who are happy to take a bottle from early on without it seeming to affect how they breastfeed (Batista et al, 2019).

If you're planning to stop breastfeeding, take a look at this article for tips and information.

If you're unsure about anything, have a chat with your midwife or health visitor. You can also call our NCT infant feeding support line on 0300 330 0700 and talk to one of our breastfeeding counsellors.

10 Tips for bottle-feeding a breastfed baby

For babies who are used to being breastfed, and/or if you want to continue breastfeeding alongside bottle-feeding, these tips might be useful:

1. Round teats with a wide base are believed to encourage tongue and jaw movements similar to that of sucking at the breast (Smith et al, 1988).

2. Some babies may gag on a teat that is too long (Mohrbacher, 2010) so a short teat might be preferable. When a baby breastfeeds, they don't stretch their mum's nipple. Instead, they open their mouth wide so that the nipple reaches far back in their mouth (Mohrbacher, 2010).

3. Gently brush the teat of the bottle against their lips. This should encourage their rooting reflex (Unicef, 2019).

4. Hold your baby upright and maintain eye contact with them so they feel loved and safe (Unicef, 2019).

5. Some babies will guzzle milk quickly from a bottle and this might then lead to them developing a preference for the flow of the bottle compared to breastfeeding (Unicef, 2015). Choose a bottle with a slow flow teat. These are often labelled as slow flow or newborn (NHS, 2018).

6. Keep putting them on your breasts and give them a lot of skin-to-skin contact (UNICEF, 2018).

7. Warm and soften the teat with warm, boiled water that has been left to cool down (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011; NHS Choices, 2017).

8. Offer the bottle when your baby isn't hungry but is awake, calm and relaxed (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011; NHS Choices, 2017).

9. Try a position similar to breastfeeding, like the cradle hold (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011; NHS Choices, 2017).

10. Ask someone else to give them the bottle although it's a good idea for only one or two adults to share the feeding. This is because everyone has a different technique and it can be confusing for a young baby to have to learn different ways (Unicef, 2014).

Cups, syringes and supplementary nursing systems: alternative feeding methods

The alternative to bottles is to use a special feeding cup, an egg cup or a plastic syringe for feeding expressed breastmilk or formula.

Why use a cup or syringe to feed your baby

These methods might be particularly useful for very new, ill or premature babies who haven't learnt to breastfeed effectively yet (Flint et al, 2016). They're also more practical for giving very tiny amounts of breastmilk or colostrum (the first milk you produce). It is believed that using cups or syringes minimises the risk of your baby developing a preference for the flow of the bottle (Flint et al, 2016).

How to use a cup or syringe

It can be quite messy while you and your baby are learning to use a cup or syringe, so parents often find it useful to loosely swaddle their baby. Ask your midwife to show you if you are unsure.

From around four months old, many parents have success with a soft-spouted beaker or open slanted cups. You'll need to have your baby sitting upright, with their head free to tilt back so they can stop when they need to (Unicef, 2019).

Other options

Supplementary nursing systems are also a possibility. They allow your baby to spend time at the breast too, which will stimulate your milk supply.

Some babies never take a bottle, and they aren't happy with a cup either until they're older. They sometimes prefer to hang on until you come home and then help themselves to a super-long feed. This is often called reverse cycling (Kellymom, 2018).

This page was last reviewed in January 2019.

Further information

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

National Breastfeeding Line (government funded): 0300 100 021.

Healthtalkonline.org has a comprehensive library of face-to-face interviews where parents share their experiences about breastfeeding, birth, parenting and many other issues.

NHS Choices has information on bottle feeding and breastfeeding in public.

Best Beginnings has video clips from the 'Bump to Breastfeeding' DVD.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2011) Practical bottle feeding tips. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Practical-Bottle-Feeding-Tips.aspx [Accessed 4th July 2019].

Batista C, Rodrigues V, Ribeiro V, Nascimento M. (2019) Nutritive and non-nutritive sucking patterns associated with pacifier use and bottle-feeding in full-term, infants. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2019.03.007 [Accessed 4th July 2019]

Flint A, New K, Davies MW. (2016) Cup feeding versus other forms of supplemental enteral feeding for newborn infants unable to fully breastfeed. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (8):CD005092. Available from: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005092.pub3... [Accessed 4th July 2019]

Kellymom. (2018). Reverse cycling. Available from: https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/reverse-cycling/. [Accessed 4th July 2019]

NHS. (2016) Sterilising bottles. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sterilising-bottles/ [Accessed 4th July 2019].

NHS. (2017) How to combine breast and bottle feeding. Available from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/combining-breast-and-bottle/ [Accessed 4th July 2019]

NHS. (2018) Bottle feeding advice. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/bottle-feeding-advice/ [Accessed 1st May 2019]

NICE. (2014) Breastfeeding recommendations. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/PH11/chapter/4-Recommendations#breastfeeding-3 [Accessed 4th July 2019].

UNICEF. (2014) A guide to infant formula for parents who are bottle feeding: health professionals' guide. Available from: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/12/Health-professionals-guide-to-infant-formula.pdf [Accessed 4th July 2019]

UNICEF. (2018) Skin to skin contact. Available from: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/guidance-for-health-professionals/implementing-the-baby-friendly-standards/further-guidance-on-implementing-the-standards/skin-to-skin-contact/ [Accessed 4th July 2019]

UNICEF. (2019) Responsive bottle feeding. Available from: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/04/Infant-formula-and-responsive-bottle-feeding.pdf [Accessed 4th July 2019]
Further reading
Becker GE, Smith HA, Cooney F. (2016) Methods of milk expression for lactating women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 29:9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27684560 [Accessed 4th July 2019].

NHS. (2009) Breast milk ingredients and sleep. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/10October/Pages/Breast-milk-ingredients-and-sleep.aspx [Accessed 4th July 2019].

Science News. (2015) Backwash from nursing babies may trigger infection fighters. Available from: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/growth-curve/backwash-nursing-babies-may-trigger-infection-fighters [Accessed 4th July 2019].

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10 bottle-feeding tips for breastfed babies | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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If you've been breastfeeding your baby and want to introduce a bottle, here are some tips on how to do this.

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A simple guide to infant formula, follow-on formula and other infant milks

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A simple guide to infant formula, follow-on formula and other infant milks

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You don't need to eat anything special while you're breastfeeding. But it's a good idea for you, just like everyone else, to eat a healthy diet.
A healthy diet includes:

at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day, including fresh, frozen, tinned and dried fruit and vegetables, and no more than one 150ml glass of 100% unsweetened juice

starchy foods, such as wholemeal bread, pasta, rice and potatoes

plenty of fibre from wholemeal bread and pasta, breakfast cereals, rice, pulses such as beans and lentils, and fruit and vegetables - after having a baby, some women have bowel problems and constipation, and fibre helps with both of these

protein, such as lean meat and chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, soya foods and pulses - no more than 2 portions of fish a week is recommended, including 1 portion of oily fish

dairy foods, such as milk, cheese and yoghurt - these contain calcium and are a source of protein

non-dairy sources of calcium suitable for vegans include tofu, brown bread, pulses and dried fruit

drinking plenty of fluids - have a drink beside you when you settle down to breastfeed: water and skimmed or semi-skimmed milk are all good choices

See more detailed advice about healthy eating.

Small amounts of what you're eating and drinking can pass to your baby through your breast milk.

If you think a food you're eating is affecting your baby and they're unsettled, talk to your GP or health visitor, or contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.

Find out more about the helpline on the National Breastfeeding Helpline website.

Vitamins and breastfeeding

Everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10mcg of vitamin D.

From late March to the end of September, the majority of people aged 5 years and above will probably get enough vitamin D from sunlight when they are outdoors. So you might choose not to take a vitamin D supplement during these months

You can get all the other vitamins and minerals you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

Ask your GP or health visitor where to get vitamin D supplements. You may be able to get free vitamin supplements without a prescription if you're eligible for the Healthy Start scheme.

Find out more about getting vitamins on the Healthy Start website.

You're entitled to free NHS prescriptions for 12 months after your baby is born. You will need to show a valid maternity exemption certificate to prove your entitlement.

If you did not apply for a maternity exemption certificate while you were pregnant, you can still apply at any time in the 12 months after your baby is born.

Healthy snack ideas for breastfeeding mums

The following snacks are quick and simple to make, and will give you energy and strength:

fresh fruit

sandwiches filled with salad, grated cheese, mashed salmon or cold meat

yoghurts and fromage frais

hummus with bread or vegetable sticks

ready-to-eat dried apricots, figs or prunes

vegetable and bean soups

fortified unsweetened breakfast cereals, muesli and other wholegrain cereals with milk

milky drinks or a 150ml glass of 100% unsweetened fruit juice

baked beans on toast or a baked potato

Healthy Start vouchers

You can get Healthy Start vouchers if you're pregnant or have a young child under 4 and are getting certain benefits or tax credits, or you're pregnant and under 18.

These can be spent on milk and fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, or they can be put towards formula milk if you're not breastfeeding.

You can't use vouchers to buy fruit and veg with added fat, sugar and salt or flavourings, such as oven chips and seasoned stir fries. You can also get Healthy Start vouchers for free vitamin supplements.

For more information or an application leaflet, visit the Healthy Start website, or call the helpline on 0300 330 7010.

If you're already receiving Healthy Start vouchers, ask your midwife or health visitor where you can exchange the vouchers for vitamins.

Eating fish while breastfeeding

Eating fish is good for your and your baby's health, but while you are breastfeeding you should have no more than 2 portions of fish a week. A portion is around 140g.

Make 1 of them oily fish such as fresh mackerel, sardines, trout or salmon.

All adults should also eat no more than 1 portion a week of shark, swordfish or marlin.

Caffeine and breastfeeding

Caffeine can reach your baby through your breast milk. Caffeine is a stimulant, so if you have a lot, it may make your baby restless and keep them awake.

Caffeine occurs naturally in lots of foods and drinks, including coffee, tea and chocolate. It's also added to some soft drinks and energy drinks, as well as some cold and flu remedies.

There's not enough information to say how much caffeine is too much, and babies respond to caffeine differently. But it's a good idea to reduce how much caffeine you drink, especially when your baby is less than 6 months old.

If you're breastfeeding, it's recommended that you have no more than 200mg a day. This may include 1 mug, 1 can or 1 bar of:

instant coffee (100mg)

filter coffee (140mg)

tea (including green tea, which can have the same amount of caffeine as regular tea) (75mg)

cola (40mg)

energy drink (a 250ml can is 80mg)

plain dark chocolate (a 50g bar is less than 25mg)

plain milk chocolate (a 50g bar is less than 10mg)

You could also try herbal teas, 100% fruit juice (but no more than one 150ml glass per day) or mineral water.

Peanuts and breastfeeding

If you'd like to eat peanuts or foods containing peanuts, such as peanut butter, while breastfeeding, you can do so as part of a healthy, balanced diet (unless, of course, you are allergic to them).

There's no clear evidence that eating peanuts while breastfeeding affects your baby's chances of developing a peanut allergy. If you have any questions or concerns, you can talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor.

See more about food allergies.

Got a breastfeeding question?

You can message the Start4Life Breastfeeding Friend chatbot on Facebook Messenger for fast, friendly, trusted NHS advice anytime, day or night.

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Advice on eating a healthy diet while you are breastfeeding, including advice on what vitamins you need.

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If you’re breastfeeding and worried your baby isn’t getting enough, have a look at these tips on how to increase your breast milk

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Read more about common breastfeeding issues that can affect your breast milk supply. If you have any concerns, it’s important to talk to your health visitor.

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This tool can be used for many different decisions, antenatally, postnatally and beyond!

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A guide to preparing formula and sterilising bottles. 

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A guide to preparing formula and sterilising bottles. 

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Causes and how to ease pain

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Sore nipples when breastfeeding | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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Sore nipples can be a problem in the early days of breastfeeding and beyond. This article discusses causes of sore nipples and how to ease the pain.

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What is an oversupply and what are the symptoms?

An oversupply of breast milk is when you have too much milk. You might also hear people call it hyperlactation or hypergalactia.

Around three to five days after you give birth, you may notice that your breasts are uncomfortable and your milk supply is more than your baby needs. This is known as engorgement and it can be a very a common experience.

For more information on how your breasts might change after birth and what to expect, see here.

When might I experience breast engorgement?

It can happen around day three to five after birth when your milk 'comes in'.

During the first 14 days following your baby's birth you may have times when you experience engorgement, followed by times when your breasts feel soft.

Whenever you have gone longer between feeds than what's normal for you and your baby.

(Hill and Humenick, 1994; Berens and Brodribb, 2016)

What is the difference between oversupply and engorgement?

While engorgement can be normal, it's unusual for this to last beyond the first six to eight weeks. That is, unless there's been a longer gap between feeds.

Mums who experience oversupply can feel engorged the majority of the time and find that their milk supply always seems to exceed their baby's needs.

What are the signs of having too much breast milk?

You might notice the following if you have an oversupply of breast milk:

Your baby might struggle to maintain their latch - they might keep slipping off, letting go or slip to the end of the nipple (sometimes called 'disordered' feeding). If your baby comes off like this you may notice your milk spurting or flowing out of your nipples.

Your baby might be unsettled, fussy, have gas and bring up a feed.

You might hear your baby struggling with a strong flow of milk.

There may be problems with your baby's weight gain (either too much or too little).

Frothy and plentiful poos.

Your breasts always feel full and you're troubled by frequent leaking.

(Trimeloni and Spencer, 2016)

Would it help to get some breastfeeding support?

The signs mentioned above can also be symptoms of other breastfeeding issues. So asking for support from your midwife, health visitor, NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor or other breastfeeding supporters can be a good idea if you're worried about any of these issues.

Having an oversupply of breast milk can feel isolating and frustrating, and some mums say it makes social interactions more difficult (Trimeloni and Spencer, 2016). So getting breastfeeding support could help with this too.

It's also worth checking out our information about how to protect yourself against mastitis.

How do I reduce my oversupply of breast milk?

An oversupply normally settles down in time as your supply regulates. But if it persists beyond six to eight weeks, the following might be helpful:

Check your baby is latching well at the breast.

Leaning back when feeding can help to slow the flow down if your baby finds it hard to latch (Trimeloni and Spencer, 2016).

Consider asking for support from a trained breastfeeding supporter, such as an NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor or peer supporter.

Cut down on or stop expressing your milk - the more milk you take, the more you make.

You could try block feeding

It can be helpful to get breastfeeding support first before trying block feeding. But some mums find block feeding helpful in reducing their supply (Caroline and van Veldhuizen-Staas, 2007).

Block feeding is when you only offer your baby one breast at a feed or the same breast for a certain amount of time if your baby feeds very frequently. Although block feeding is an effective way to reduce supply, the changes can happen quickly.

When you've tried everything...

For a very small number of women, the oversupply is due to medical conditions. If you think this could be the case, or your oversupply is continuing despite trying the above, you may need support from a healthcare professional (Trimeloni and Spencer, 2016).

If you would like to explore any of these options, you can call an NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor on 0300 330 0700 and they can help you to find out more.
This page was last reviewed in December 2021.
Further information

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

National Breastfeeding Line (government funded): 0300 100 0212.

Berens P, Brodribb W. (2016) ABM Clinical Protocol #20: Engorgement, revised 2016. Breastfeed Med. 11:159-63. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4860650/ (accessed 3rd December 2021).

Caroline GA, van Veldhuizen-Staas CG. (2007) Overabundant milk supply: an alternative way to intervene by full drainage and block feeding. Int Breastfeeding J. 2:11. Available at: http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2013/10/9/block-feeding-dos-donts.html (accessed 3rd December 2021).

Hill PD, Humenick SS. (1994) The occurrence of breast engorgement. J Hum Lact. 10(2):79-86. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/15580406_The_Occurrence_of_Breast_Engorgement (accessed 3rd December 2021).

Trimeloni L, Spencer J. (2016) Diagnosis and management of breast milk oversupply. J Am Board Fam Med. 29(1):139-42. Available at: https://www.jabfm.org/content/jabfp/29/1/139.full.pdf (accessed 3rd December 2021).

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Oversupply of breast milk and how to reduce it | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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Having too much breast milk - an oversupply - can be uncomfortable and can mean your baby struggles with feeding. Here are the signs and what to do...

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Symptoms and treatment

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Mastitis: symptoms and treatment | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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Mastitis is a painful breast condition. Here we discuss its symptoms, treatment, how to continue breastfeeding with mastitis and how to help prevent it.

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Breast and nipple pain in breastfeeding women can be caused by a thrush infection in the breast. You can still breastfeed while being treated for thrush.

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Laid-back breastfeeding, what is it and how to do it.

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Laid-back breastfeeding, what is it and how to do it.

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How milk is produced and how it adapts to your baby's needs. 

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How milk is produced and how it adapts to your baby's needs. 

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How do my breasts produce milk?

As soon as you're pregnant, your body starts to change to support milk-making. You may notice some of these changes in your breasts, like a slight tenderness and maybe a darkening of your nipples and areola. These changes are among the early signs of pregnancy (NHS Choices, 2016b).

Mammary glands

These glands are in your breasts and produce breastmilk. Each mammary gland contains the following parts that help you to make breastmilk (MIDIRS, 2011).

Alveoli

These are small clusters of sacs that develop when you are pregnant and produce your breastmilk (Sternlicht et al, 2006). Muscles that squeeze the milk into ductules surround these sacs.

Ductules

These are small channels carrying milk from the alveoli to the milk ducts.

Milk ducts

These are the network of channels delivering milk from the alveoli and ductules to your baby. When you're pregnant, these ducts grow larger and there will be more of them. The average breast has about nine milk ducts ready for breastfeeding (Geddes, 2007).

When will I start making milk?

During pregnancy your breasts increase in size as the mammary glands grow to support milk production. Sometime during the second trimester your body is ready to produce milk. You might notice a little milk leaking from your breasts in the final weeks of pregnancy (WHO, 2009).

Once your baby is born and you pass the placenta, your body releases the hormone prolactin. This tells your body to produce milk (WHO, 2009).

"You can start to feed your baby immediately after birth as soon as you're both ready."

Skin-to-skin contac t can help to stimulate your milk flow and your baby's natural feeding responses (NHS Choices, 2016b).

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce in the few days following birth. It is thick and golden yellow in colour (NHS Choices, 2016b). Colostrum is very concentrated and full of vitamins and antibodies. All of this helps your baby grow and fight off infections (NHS Choices, 2016b). It also helps expel meconium - the black, sticky poo babies are born with (NHS Choices, 2016b).

Your baby will only need about a teaspoonful at each feed because colostrum is so concentrated. To begin with your baby may want to feed often, perhaps every hour. They'll begin to have fewer, longer feeds after a few days. The more you breastfeed, the more your baby's sucking will stimulate your supply and the more milk you'll make.

After a few days the colostrum will be replaced by more mature milk, which is more liquid and greater in volume (WHO, 2009). Approximately two to four days after birth you may notice your breasts are warmer and fuller feeling; this is known as your milk coming in (NHS Choices, 2016b).

The let-down reflex

When your baby starts sucking at your breast, this releases the hormone oxytocin, causing the tiny muscle cells around the alveoli to contract and squeeze out breastmilk. This squeezing is known as the let-down reflex (WHO, 2009; NHS Choices, 2016b). Some women get a tingling feeling, which can be quite strong, while others don't feel anything. Both are normal.

You may notice your baby respond when your milk 'lets down'. Their quick sucks will change to deep rhythmic swallows as the milk begins to flow. Babies often pause after the initial quick sucks, while they wait for more milk to arrive (NHS Choices, 2016b). There may be a number of let downs every time you breastfeed, which you may or may not be aware of.

You may also feel some contractions in your belly during the first few days of breastfeeding your baby. These are known as afterpains and feel like mild labour contractions. They are caused by oxytocin shrinking your uterus (womb) back to its pre-pregnancy size (WHO, 2009; NHS Choices, 2016b).

Breastfeeding frequency

Mums start producing mature milk as soon as their baby is born. This happens whether their baby is ever placed at their breast or not. You may notice this surge in production as your milk coming in around two to four days after the birth. Your breasts may look and feel fuller than before (NHS Choices, 2016b).

After this, you continue to make milk as a result of milk being removed from your breasts. This happens either as your baby drinks the milk or by you expressing it with your hands or a breast pump (WHO, 2009).

When breastfeeding is going well, this is what drives the milk supply. As milk is removed, your body gets the signal to make more. Your baby will never fully empty your breasts. If your baby feeds a lot, your body increases the milk supply in response (NHS Choices, 2016b).

Young babies typically feed frequently, at least eight times in 24 hours (or more), often in clusters of feeds with small gaps in between. Counting the feeds is not realistic, as you might not know whether your baby is starting a new feed or ending a previous one (NHS Choices, 2016c).

Changes in your breast milk

The fat content of your milk gradually increases as the milk is removed. So when breasts are less full, the fat content is proportionately higher (Martin et al, 2016). Healthy, effectively feeding babies usually get the right milk intake and type of milk for them (Martin et al, 2016).

When your baby seems to have had sufficient on one breast, you can switch sides and offer the other breast. Your baby may show they've had enough of one breast by coming off it or slowing right down. Not all babies take both sides each time. Some are happy with one, while other babies show they want three, four or more sides at a session (NHS Choices, 2016c; NHS Choices, 2017).

"Breastmilk constantly changes to meet your baby's needs. It is responsive to changes in the mother's diet, bacteria and viruses in the environment and the baby's feeding behaviours."

Breastmilk content also varies according to the time of day. Evening milk contains more components that relax and aid babies sleep, while daytime milk contains different elements that stimulate activity (Sanchez et al, 2009).

Breastmilk can also change in response to the baby or mother's illness, with an increase immune cell levels to aid recovery (Riskin et al, 2012). After your child's first year in the world, the fat and energy content of breastmilk increases to meet their growing needs (Mandel et al, 2005).

Support to help you breastfeed

It can take time for you and your baby to get the hang of breastfeeding. Plenty of help and support is available to help you overcome any challenges. Getting breastfeeding support makes a huge, positive difference.

Contact your local NCT branch or call our Infant Feeding Line on 0300 330 0700 to find out what breastfeeding support is available locally. We have local NCT Breastfeeding Counsellors who can offer a call, virtual visit, or home visit, depending on their availability. You may also have a local drop-in NCT breastfeeding support group. Our breastfeeding support groups are a great place to meet other mums with babies of a similar age. Peer support is really beneficial to new mums.

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

You might find attending one of our groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

Visit our breastfeeding support contacts page.

NHS Choices breastfeeding information.

National Breastfeeding Line (government funded): 0300 100 021.

Geddes DT. (2007) Inside the lactating breast: the latest anatomy research. J Mid Women's Health 52(6):556-63. Available From: http://breastnbabylactation.com/pdf/11_inside_lactating_breast.pdf [Accessed January 2018].

Mandel D, Lubetzky R, Dollberg S, Barak S, Mimouni FB. (2005) Fat and Energy Contents of Expressed Human Breast Milk in Prolonged Lactation. Pediatrics. 116(3):e432-e435. Available From: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/3/e432 [Accessed 1st January 2018].

Martin CR, Ling PR, Blackburn GL. (2016) Review of Infant Feeding: Key features of breast milk and infant formula. Nutrients. 8(5): 279. Available From: http://doi.org/10.3390/nu8050279. [Accessed 1st January 2018].

NHS Choices. (2016) Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/signs-and-symptoms-pregnancy.aspx [Accessed 1st January 2018].

NHS Choices. (2016) Breastfeeding the first few days. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/breastfeeding-first-days.aspx?tabname=Your%20newborn [Accessed 1st January 2018].

NHS Choices. (2016) Breastfeeding: is my baby getting enough milk? Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/breastfeeding-is-baby-getting-enough-milk.aspx [Accessed 1st January 2018].

NHS Choices. (2017) Your breastfeeding questions answered. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/your-breastfeeding-questions.aspx [Accessed 1st January 2018].

Riskin A, Almog M, Peri R, Halasz K, Srugo I, Kessel A. (2012) Changes in immunomodulatory constituents of human milk in response to active infection in the nursing infant. Pediatr Res. 71(2): 220-225. DOI: 10.1038. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22258136 [Accessed 1st January 2018].

Sánchez CL, Cubero J, Sánchez J, Chanclón B, Rivero M, Rodríguez AB, Barriga C. (2009) The possible role of human milk nucleotides as sleep inducers. Nutritional Neuroscience. 12 (1):2 DOI: 10.1179/147683009X388922. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19178785 [Accessed 1st January 2018].

Sternlicht MD, Kouros-Mehr H, Lu P, Werb Z. (2006). Hormonal and local control of mammary branching morphogenesis. Differentiation 74(7):365-381. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2580831/ [Accessed 1st January 2018].

WHO. (2009) Infant and Young Child Feeding: Model Chapter for Textbooks for Medical Students and Allied Health Professionals. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. SESSION 2, The physiological basis of breastfeeding. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148970/ [Accessed 1st January 2018].

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About breastmilk and breastfeeding | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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Curious about what's happening to allow breastfeeding? This article explains how you'll produce breastmilk and how your breastmilk adapts and changes.

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By choosing to make your baby a breastfed baby, you and your partner are giving your baby the very best start. USeful information for partners.

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Includes a handy table guide for storage times etc

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This page gives you some tips on how to hand express and store your breastmilk. It also answers some frequently asked questions on this topic.

You might be thinking of returning to work, or study, or planning a night out. It can also help relieve pressure from a blocked duct or mastitis. Expressing small amounts of colostrum before your baby is born can help give your baby extra milk in the first few days.

Please also refer to our downloadable leaflet on Expressing and Storing Breastmilk.

Note: If your baby has been ill or was born prematurely please discuss this information with your health professional to check that the storage times apply. This is especially important if you are bringing your colostrum or milk into hospital for your baby.

Your breastmilk

Can be expressed by hand, by hand pump or by electric pump. Once you know how, hand expressing is easy and needs little equipment.

Contains anti-infective ingredients that limit the growth of unwanted bacteria.

Should still be handled and stored carefully to stop unwanted bacteria from getting into your milk and growing.

Stays at the highest quality when stored in a fridge, particularly when running at 4°C or below. Note: some fridges run higher at 5-10°C - if you don't know the temperature of your fridge assume it is running at this higher temperature.

Can be frozen, which affects some (but by no means all) of the nutrients and anti-infective ingredients of breastmilk.

Expressing breastmilk

When you first start to express it is common to get only a few drops of milk. As with breastfeeding, the more you practice, the easier it gets. Expressing at a different time of day may work better for you.

When might I need to express?

Before your baby is born - you may be advised that your baby might need extra milk when they are born. You can express and store your first milk (colostrum) from 37 weeks gestation.

In the first few days - if your baby is sleepy, or to help them attach and feed.

For both these stages your midwife will give you small oral syringes to collect your milk. These are usually 1ml to begin with.

Use the ideas in this leaflet to discover what works for you. Colostrum usually starts in tiny droplets and is often sticky - having help to collect these drops in the syringe can be useful.

Aim to express twice a day from 36-37 weeks for no more than 10 minutes, freezing the same day.

Once your baby is born, express as needed aiming to stimulate your breasts at least 8 times a day including once overnight through direct breastfeeding or expressing as this will increase your milk supply to meet your baby's needs and can help you feel more comfortable.

Hand Expressing

Once your milk is flowing, you will need a wide mouthed container like a sterile plastic pot or container that is well-cleaned and scalded with boiling water - a jug is ideal - so get this ready before you start.

Remember to wash your hands first.

Find somewhere comfortable to relax, then to help your milk to flow (let down) you might:

Relax with a warm drink, music or TV.

Have your baby close, or look at a photograph, clothing or toy to remind you of your baby.

Warm your breasts in a bath, shower or using warm flannels and practice expressing.

Try some ways to gently massage your whole breast, working from the outside toward your nipple.

Take care not to drag your skin:

Stroke with your fingertips

Roll using your knuckles.

Try using circular movements.

Make a 'C' shape by placing your thumb above and your fingers below your breast 2-3 centimetres back from your nipple

Gently press your thumb and fingers together, release your fingers and repeat in a rhythmic movement.

Sometimes pressing inwards back towards your chest wall as you squeeze helps. You may need to experiment with how far back from your nipple to squeeze - everyone is slightly different.

When the milk flow slows, re-position your fingers and thumb (as if moving them around a clock face), then express another area of your breast.

Try to express all areas of your breast and alternate between breasts.

See this video for more ideas: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/hand-expression-video/

Good hygiene is very important:

Always wash your hands before expressing and handling breastmilk and ask others giving expressed milk to do the same.

Always use a sterile container with a lid, not the collection jug, to store your breastmilk. You can buy disposable containers. Take care with plastic bags that can puncture easily.

Try to use a different storage container each time you collect milk. If necessary, newly collected milk may be cooled and added to previously stored milk on the same day only.

Label the storage containers or syringes with your name, breastmilk, time and date and put inside a clean sealed bag or box before storing. Name and date the bag too.

Store your breastmilk in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible.

Store away from meat products, eggs or any uncooked foods. Store at the back of the fridge and not in the door.

Storing expressed breastmilk

How long can I keep my breastmilk at room temperature if a fridge is not available?

If your breastmilk is freshly expressed it will keep for 6 hours without refrigeration, either at home or away from home. See 'travelling with breastmilk' section below for more details.
If your baby has been ill or was born prematurely please discuss this with your health professional to check that the same storage times apply.
How long can I store breastmilk in the fridge?

You can store your breastmilk for up to 3 days where you don't know the temperature, or it runs between 5-10°C.

Breastmilk can be stored for 5 days in a fridge running at 4°C or lower.*
*One study has shown fresh breastmilk can be used for up to 8 days when the fridge temperature is kept stable at 4°C or below.

If the fridge temperature goes above 4°C during this time, use your milk within 6 hours or throw away.

If you can't use a fridge at 4°C, try using a cool bag or box with deep frozen ice packs (changed every 24 hours). Protect your milk from direct contact with the ice packs or it may freeze - try wrapping the ice packs in kitchen towel. The bag can also be used to carry milk.

The lower the storage temperature, the longer expressed breastmilk can be stored. The storage temperatures given here include a degree of caution so that your milk remains safe for your baby.

If you wish to store your breastmilk for longer than 5 days, freeze as soon as you can after expressing.
If taking colostrum or milk into hospital follow their storage and transport times. REMEMBER: The more often the fridge door is opened, the more likely the temperature will rise. Try to check the temperature of every fridge (or cool bag) used for storing your milk each time you use it. If the fridge has no built in thermometer, use a fridge thermometer which can be bought cheaply from kitchenware stores.
How long can I store breastmilk in the freezer?

Breastmilk can be stored in a freezer at -18°C for up to six months.

You can store breastmilk in the ice compartment of a fridge for two weeks.

Safe Storage of breastmilk in the home

This table aims to provide a guide to how long you can store breastmilk for a full term baby with no additional health concerns.

MILK PLACE MAXIMUM TIME

Fresh breastmilk including colostrum
Normal room temperature

6 hours

Fridge: 5 to 10°C

3 days

Fridge: 4°C or lower

5 days*

(*if temperature rises above 4°C after 3 days, use within 6 hours or throw away)

Frozen breastmilk
Freezer: -18°C or lower

6 months

Defrosting breastmilk
When defrosting in fridge

Usually takes 12 hours to defrost, then use as soon as fully defrosted

When defrosting milk outside fridge

Use as soon as fully defrosted

Milk can be transported within the safe storage times, provided storage temperatures are maintained. Note previously frozen milk must be used immediately when fully defrosted.
Fresh milk can be transported within 24 hours, provided fridge temperatures are maintained using an insulated box & deep frozen ice-packs, and total storage & transportation times do not exceed the recommended storage times. If no ice-packs are used when transporting, use within 4 hours.

Why are there variations in recommendations for storing expressed breastmilk?

More information about this can be found on a separate page.

Please note that previous versions of our leaflet are still available in our shop and the information is still correct, noting the above.

Feeding baby expressed breastmilk

What happens if my baby doesn't take all of one bottle? Can I put it back in the fridge or on the side use it again?

Once the baby has drunk from a bottle of expressed milk it should be used up within an hour or thrown away. To avoid wasting your expressed breastmilk it is best to offer the baby only a little (e.g. 30ml) at a time until you know your baby's pattern. You can do this by keeping most of it in one container, in the fridge, and using it to top up the baby's bottle a little at a time.

Defrosting frozen breastmilk

How do I defrost my milk?

Ideally, defrost frozen breastmilk in the fridge. This milk should be used once fully defrosted which usually takes about 12 hours. If your breastmilk is still frozen after this time or you need to use it quickly, try defrosting under cool, then warm, running water. Dry the outside of the container with kitchen paper before use and use immediately. If you frequently find your milk is frozen after 12 hours in the fridge, try to freeze in smaller quantities.

How long can I keep defrosted breastmilk?

Defrosted breastmilk should be used straight away once it has fully defrosted. Throw away any unused milk.

Why can't I defrost breastmilk in a microwave?

Breastmilk should not be defrosted in the microwave because it heats unevenly, destroying antibodies and nutrients. There is also a risk of scalds and the milk would need to be left at room temperature before use.

Travelling with expressed breastmilk

How do I bring my milk home, which I have expressed at work or elsewhere?

Try to use a cool bag for transportation and put the milk in the fridge once you are home.

Fresh breastmilk can be transported within 24 hours provided storage temperatures are maintained using an insulated box or bag and deep frozen ice-packs, and total storage and transportation times do not exceed the recommended storage times.

Previously refrigerated breastmilk can be kept cool (10°C or below) for up to 24 hours when in a well-insulated bag with deep-frozen ice-packs. Take care not to freeze your milk by wrapping the ice-packs in kitchen paper first. Ensure this milk is used within the recommended refrigeration storage times as mentioned above.

Re-heating expressed breastmilk

How do I re-heat expressed breastmilk?

Expressed breastmilk can be used straight from the fridge. It does not need to be warmed. If you would like it warmed place the container (such as a bottle or sealed cup) in warm water to take the chill off. Take care not to over warm.

If the milk smells sour DO NOT USE.

When stored, the cream and milk may separate out. This is normal. Shake gently to mix before use.

Some babies are reluctant to take milk from a bottle, particularly at first. Try offering milk from a cup or spoon. They may be less reluctant when someone else gives it. If expressed milk is refused try not to worry - your baby will make up any missed feeds by breastfeeding more often or for longer on your return. See also info on this page about introducing a bottle.

Finding a breast pump

The two UK breast pump hire companies are:

Ardo: www.ardobreastpumps.co.uk

Medela: www.medela.co.uk/breastfeeding/contact

Your midwife, health visitor or a local breastfeeding supporter may also be able to give you details of pump hire services near you.

Useful links

Human Milk Foundation
UKAMB (UK Milk Banks - find out about donating or receiving milk)
Milk Bank Scotland
Antenatal Expressing - more detailed information about this

References

(links checked November 2019)

Cook, P. Food Standards Agency. MCN10. 2006 Handling and storage of expressed breastmilk pp1-12 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph11/documents/mcn-consultation-expert-report-handling-and-storage-of-expressed-breast-milk2

Eglash, A, Simon, L, and The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, ABM Clinical Protocol #8: Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Full-Term Infants, BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE Volume 12, Number 7, 2017 (c) Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. pp390-395 https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/8-human-milk-storage-protocol-english.pdf See correction to freezer temp here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065517/

Forster, Della A et al. (2017) Advising women with diabetes in pregnancy to express breastmilk in late pregnancy (Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing [DAME]): a multicentre, unblinded, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, Volume 389, Issue 10085, 2204 - 2213 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31373-9/ppt

Hands A. (2003) Safe storage of expressed breastmilk in the home. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 13, no 3.

Royle, J. Weaver, G. (2016) Guidelines for the Preparation and Handling of Expressed and Donor Breast Milk and Special Feeds for Infants and Children in Neonatal and Paediatric Health Care Settings. 2nd Ed. Section 6, p18-32
https://www.bda.uk.com/regionsgroups/groups/paediatric/sfu_guidelines
IMPORTANT: If you have any further questions on expressing or breastfeeding, do contact your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter for help and support. You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212, open 9.30am-9.30pm every day of the year.

Page reviewed and updated November 2019

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Expressing and Storing Breastmilk - The Breastfeeding Network

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This page gives you some tips on how to hand express and store your breastmilk. It also answers some frequently asked questions on this topic. You might be thinking of returning to work, or study, or planning a night out. It can also help relieve pressure from a blocked duct or mastitis.

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Skin to skin and getting started with breastfeeding 

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Skin to skin and getting started with breastfeeding 

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Starting skin-to-skin contact

A newborn's instincts to breastfeed are particularly strong after birth (NHS, 2016). So holding your newborn skin-to-skin can help them start to breastfeed (UNICEF, 2013; NICE, 2015; Moore et al, 2016). Skin-to-skin means holding your baby against your bare chest with them naked or dressed only in a nappy, usually under a light blanket.

You should be offered skin-to-skin contact with your baby as soon as possible after birth, whether you decide to breastfeed or not (NICE, 2015).
Skin-to-skin contact has positive effects on:

starting breastfeeding -babies are more likely to breastfeed successfully at their first feed

maintaining breastfeeding - mums are more likely to be breastfeeding successfully one to four months later

helping stabilise your baby's cardio-respiratory system (helping them to breathe), body temperature and blood glucose levels

attachment between mum and baby

reducing crying in babies.

(UNICEF, 2013; Moore et al, 2016)

How do I know when my baby is ready to feed?

You and your baby might both want to watch and wait a while, cuddling skin-to-skin, in a laid-back or semi-reclined position. After some time, your newborn might make hand movements and then start 'rooting' -turning towards your nipple and opening their mouth (NHS, 2016). This is a really good sign that they're ready to feed.

"Skin-to-skin contact isn't just for immediately after your baby is born. Your baby will love it if you do it any time during the first few weeks."

This will help with bonding while you become familiar with each other. It's also a really good way to help your baby to attach successfully at your breast. They're born to do this using their natural crawling and latching on reflexes (NHS, 2016; Colson, 2008).

If your baby is born by caesarean birth, you should still be able to have skin-to-skin contact straight after the birth (NHS, 2016). Your midwife can offer you extra help with positioning and attachment to protect your wound (NICE, 2015).

How long after birth will my baby breastfeed?

Many babies are ready to feed in the first hour but not all are.

If you've had pethidine (especially within four hours of the birth) or an epidural during labour, your baby may be more sleepy and unsure of what to do (NICE, 2015; French et al, 2016; Cadwell and Brimdyr, 2017). In these cases, you should be offered extra support with positioning and attachment (NICE, 2015).

What happens if I can't breastfeed right after birth?

If skin-to-skin contact is delayed - for example if your baby needs time in special care - it doesn't mean you won't be able to bond with or breastfeed your baby (NHS, 2016). You should be offered skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the midwife will show you how to express your milk until your baby is ready to breastfeed (NHS, 2016).

To wash or not to wash?

You probably wouldn't have connected an early baby bath to breastfeeding. But interestingly, plenty of evidence suggests that waiting at least 12 hours after the birth before bathing a baby can also help kick-start breastfeeding (DiCioccio et al, 2019). So don't be in too much of a hurry to wash your baby after birth. Does it really matter if they're not squeaky clean anyway?

Find out more about how to breastfeed in your baby's first few days here.
This page was last reviewed in March 2019.
Further information

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

Cadwell K, Brimdyr K. (2017) Intrapartum administration of synthetic oxytocin and downstream effects on breastfeeding: elucidating physiologic pathways. Annals of Nursing Research and Practice. 2(3):1024. Available at: http://austinpublishinggroup.com/nursing-research-practice/download.php?file=fulltext/anrp-v2-id1024.pdf [Accessed 2nd January 2018]

DiCioccio HC, Ady C, Bena JF, Albert NM. (2019) Initiative to improve exclusive breastfeeding by delaying the newborn bath. J Obstetr Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 48(2):189-196. Available at: https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(18)30391-5/fulltext [Accessed 2nd January 2018]

French C, Cong X, Chung K. (2016) Labor epidural analgesia and breastfeeding: a systematic review. Journal of Human Lactation. 32(3):507-20. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27121239 [Accessed 2nd January 2018]

Moore ER, Bergman N, Anderson G, Medley N. (2016) Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (11):CD003519. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6464366/ [Accessed 2nd January 2018]

NICE. (2015) Postnatal care up to 8 weeks after birth: clinical guideline [CG37]. Available at:https:// www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg37/chapter/1-recommendations#infant-feeding [Accessed 2nd January 2018]

NHS. (2016) Breastfeeding the first few days. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/breastfeeding-first-days.aspx?tabname=Your%20newborn [Accessed 2nd January 2018]

UNICEF. (2013) The evidence and rationale for the UK Baby Friendly Initiative Standards. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/sites/2/2013/09/baby_friendly_evidence_rationale.pdf [Accessed 2nd January 2018]

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Skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding right after birth

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A newborn's instincts to breastfeed are particularly strong after birth (NHS, 2016). So holding your newborn skin-to-skin can help them start to breastfeed (UNICEF, 2013; NICE, 2015; Moore et al, 2016). Skin-to-skin means holding your baby against your bare chest with them naked or dressed only in a nappy, usually under a light blanket.

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Ideas on how partners can support breastfeeding 

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Ideas on how partners can support breastfeeding 

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When it comes to breastfeeding, you might wonder what you can do to support your partner and baby. The truth is you can make a huge difference.

Did you know that a mum is more likely to choose to breastfeed if she's sure her partner is positive about it? And if she does decide to breastfeed, she's much more likely to have a good experience and manage any difficulties if her partner supports her decision (Tohotoa, 2009; Rempel, 2011). A partner's emotional support is so important for helping mums to breastfeed for longer too (Tohatoa et al, 2009; Su, 2016).

Why is breastfeeding important?

If your partner is breastfeeding your baby - or planning to - that's fantastic because breastmilk has so many benefits for babies. For instance, breastmilk can help to reduce the risk of your baby getting infections and diseases (NHS, 2017). It also contains hormones that help your baby's development (Victora et al, 2016).

Overall, breastfeeding will have a positive impact on your baby's health. What's more, it can influence their health as an adult too (Victora et al, 2016).

Is breastfeeding hard or will my partner just know what to do?

Many parents see breastfeeding as a natural process but it can take time for mum and baby to learn this new skill together. It might take around six weeks to get the hang of it fully (NHS, 2016).

The good news is that with the right support, your partner can overcome any challenges and continue breastfeeding if she wants to. If you think your partner needs more information, support or just someone to talk to, why not give one of our trained breastfeeding counsellors a call on our support line: 0300 330 0700. The line is open every day from 8am to midnight, including bank holidays.

You might find it helpful to read up about breastfeeding and attend a breastfeeding session before your baby is born. This can help you know what to expect and perhaps give you a little more confidence. It can also help you both talk about feeding your baby and raise any questions or worries you might have.

What do I need to know about breastfeeding?

You might find it helpful to know how breastfeeding works and what normal behaviour is for breastfed babies. Here are a few quick and handy facts:

Babies are happier if they're fed as soon as they show signs of being hungry.

Babies usually feed frequently (anything from eight to 12 times or more in 24 hours) in the early weeks, especially during the evenings.

Some babies are slow feeders at first, but they get quicker as they get older.

The more a baby feeds, the more milk their mum makes because it's the removal of milk that drives the production of it.

The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least your baby's first six months. Breastfeeding is also beneficial for toddlers because it gives them a health boost every time they feed. So your partner can breastfeed your baby for as long as they both want to.

Nipple soreness or pain during feeding might be a sign that a baby needs some adjustment to their attachment at the breast. If there is soreness or pain when breastfeeding, talking to a healthcare professional or breastfeeding counsellor can help.

Women enjoy feeding more when they are comfortable and relaxed.

(Department of Health, 2011; La Leche League, 2016; NHS, 2016)

What can I do to help support my partner with breastfeeding?

There are lots of things you can do to support and encourage breastfeeding.

Here are 10 tips:

1. Boost your partner's confidence by encouraging her and being positive about her progress. As with learning any new skill, reassurance and praise are a massive help.

2. Listen and talk honestly about how you each feel about finding your way with your new baby.

3. Be involved with your baby in other ways so that the caring is shared (see below).

4. Help to reduce the household chores so your partner can feed your baby for as long and as often as they need.

5. Try to help your partner to relax by giving them a massage.

6. Women don't need to eat anything special while breastfeeding, but it's a good idea to encourage your partner to eat and drink regularly.

7. Help her get specialist support if she's struggling with breastfeeding. As mentioned above, you can both talk to one of our breastfeeding counsellors on 0300 330 0700.

8. Help out by bottle feeding your baby expressed milk once your partner and baby have got the hang of breastfeeding (see below).

9. Accept your partner's decision on when to stop breastfeeding.

10. Try to remember that with your support, breastfeeding can quickly become just another part of your family life.

(Rempel et al, 2010)

What practical support can I give to my baby if my partner is breastfeeding?

You might expect to feel like a bit of a spare part with feeding but it's good to remember that each parent plays a different and vital role. The decision on how you feed your baby is certainly a joint one (deMontigny et al, 2018). It might take a while to get used to the different parts you play though.

Whatever you decide to do, you might actually find feeding is less important to you than you expected anyway. Especially if you're hands-on with your baby in different and rewarding ways.

Tips for being a hands-on partner with your baby

Changing nappies and generally caring for your baby - it's great if you can spend time with your baby and interact (see below) with them while you're looking after them.

Bathing your baby - you could bath your baby or even have a bath with your baby. You'll both enjoy the bonding benefits of skin-to-skin contact and one-to-one time together (NHS, 2018).

Talking and playing - babies enjoy hearing gentle sounds. They even recognise the muffled tones of people talking from their time in the womb and they'll be aware of familiar voices like yours (Lee and Kisilevsky, 2013). So a chat with your baby might be a little one-sided but rest assured, they know it's you. Socially interacting with your baby through their senses helps to stimulate their brain development; for example, you could pull some different expressions (Boucenna et al, 2010).

Baby carrying - this means taking your baby out and about in a sling. It can be a rewarding and comforting experience for both you and your baby (Miller, 2019).

For more ideas on being a hands-on parent, see our article about bonding with and getting to know your baby.

How can I share feeding our baby?

If you're keen to feed your baby, you could give them expressed breastmilk from a spoon, syringe, cup or a bottle. But only introduce your baby to a bottle once breastfeeding is going well. For more on expressing, see our 10 bottle feeding tips for breastfed babies article.

And once your baby's moved on to solid food, there are so many ways you can get involved with that...chopping, mashing, cleaning up all the food that ends up on the floor...

I want to support breastfeeding but will it affect our sex life?

Possibly, but tiredness - and your partner's birth experience and recovery - is more likely to affect their sex drive rather than breastfeeding (Rowland et al, 2005). See our article about breastfeeding and sex for more details.

What if I feel uncomfortable about my partner breastfeeding in public?

If you're feeling uncomfortable or nervous about your partner breastfeeding in public, have a chat with her so you can talk it through. Maybe you're worried about your partner showing her breasts in public? Yet in reality, very little breast actually shows when a baby is feeding. You might have even seen a mum breastfeeding before without realising it.

It might also help to talk to other families where the mum is breastfeeding and find out about both partners' experiences of it. The chances are, you'll change your mind as you get used to seeing breastfeeding.

It's good to know that breastfeeding in public is protected by the law under the Equality Act 2010. That means providers of any services or facilities open for the public are not allowed to discriminate against women who are breastfeeding (Maternity Action, 2019).

Many places now welcome breastfeeding and have special facilities for mums if they'd prefer to feed in private.

Some mums might feel uncertain themselves about feeding in public at first and may appreciate the reassurance of having their partner with them.

At the end of the day...

Don't underestimate the huge difference you can make if your partner is breastfeeding. With you both on board, breastfeeding can quickly become an everyday part of your lives (Rempel, 2011).
This page was last reviewed in October 2017.
Further information

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

Visit our breastfeeding support contacts page.

NHS Choices breastfeeding information.

National Breastfeeding Line (government funded): 0300 100 021.

Health Talk has some interesting videos about different people's experiences of breastfeeding, click here to view them.

Boucenna S, Gaussier P, Andry P, Hafemeister L. (2010) Imitation as a communication tool for online facial expression learning and recognition. 2010 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Taipei: 5323-5328. Available at: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5650357 (Accessed 1st July 2018)

deMontigny F, Gervais C, Larivière-Bastien D, St-Arneault K. (2018) The role of fathers during breastfeeding. Midwifery. 58:6-12. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29272696 (Accessed 1st July 2018)

Department of Health. (2011) Breastfeeding. Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Nutrition/Nutritionpregnancyearlyyears/DH_127625 (Accessed 1st July 2018)

La Leche League. (2016) Still nursing? Available at: https://www.laleche.org.uk/still-nursing/ (Accessed 1st July 2018)

Lee GY, Kisilevsky BS. (2013) Fetuses respond to father's voice but prefer mother's voice after birth. Dev Psychobiol. 2014 Jan;56(1):1-11. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23817883 (Accessed 1st July 2018)

Miller R. (2019). Babywearing education in the neonatal intensive care unit. The International journal of childbirth education: the official publication of the International Childbirth Education Association. 34. 43-47. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334151320_Babywearing_Education_in_the_Neonatal_Intensive_Care_Unit (Accessed 1st July 2018)

NHS. (2016) How to combine breast and bottle feeding. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/combining-breast-and-bottle/ (Accessed 1st July 2018)

NHS. (2017) Benefits of breastfeeding. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/benefits-breastfeeding.aspx (Accessed 1st July 2018)

NHS. (2018) Washing and bathing your baby. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/washing-your-baby/ (Accessed 1st July 2018)

Rempel LA, Rempel JK. (2010) The breastfeeding team: the role of involved fathers in the breastfeeding family. J Hum Lact. (2):115-21. Available at: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0890334410390045 (Accessed 1st July 2018)

Rowland M, Foxcroft L, Hopman WM, Patel R. (2005) Breastfeeding and sexuality immediately post partum. Can Fam Physician. 2005 Oct;51:1366-7. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1479788/ (Accessed 1st July 2018)

Su M, Ouyang YQ. (2016) Father's role in breastfeeding promotion: lessons from a quasi-experimental trial in China. Breastfeed Med. 11:144-9. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26836960 (Accessed 1st July 2018)

Tohotoa J, Maycock B, Hauck Y, Howat P, Burns S, Binns C. (2009) Dads make a difference: an exploratory study of paternal support for breastfeeding in Perth, Western Australia. Int Breastfeed J. 4:15. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2788531/ (Accessed 1st July 2018)

Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJ, França GV, Horton S, Krasevec J, Murch S, Sankar MJ, Walker N, Rollins NC; Lancet Breastfeeding Series Group. (2016) Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. Lancet. 387(10017):475-90. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869575 (Accessed 1st July 2018)

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How can dads and partners support breastfeeding? | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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This article looks at how dads and partners can help support a new mum who is breastfeeding in the early days.

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Rachel Stannard NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor 

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Rachel Stannard NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor 

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Phone:
07545445425
Email: rachelstannard@googlemail.com
If I can not answer the phone please leave a brief message with your name and contact details and I will get back to you at the earliest opportunity.
If you need more immediate support, please use one of the support lines below.

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Open everyday from 8am - midnight, including bank holidays

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A map showing active support in the area. 

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A map showing active support in the area. 

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Please be aware much of this is paused due to COVID.

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Swindon Area Breastfeeding Support - Google My Maps

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For phone support call Elena 07733609660 - during social hours. MANY GROUPS STILL SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19. 22 Sept 2021

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Breastmates

All Breastmates groups are currently suspended in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Please read information about other breastfeeding support.

Breastmates is a network of free breastfeeding support groups held across Swindon.

They are informal drop-in groups, run by mums who are not only trained in breastfeeding support, but who have breastfed and in most cases are still breastfeeding.
You don't have to be having any breastfeeding problems to attend. Groups offer an opportunity to chat to other breastfeeding mums whether you are breastfeeding or pregnant. Partners, children, family and friends are welcome too, as they all play an important role in supporting breastfeeding mums.

Swindon Breastmates have a Facebook page which is a closed group for local breastfeeding mums. To join please send a request to the address below. (This is an informal Facebook page managed by Breastmates peer support volunteers and is not affiliated with Swindon Borough Council): www.facebook.com/groups/SwindonBreastmates

To find out more about the Breastmates peer supporters, please see the document below:

Swindon Breastmates groups

Day

Venue

Time

Monday

Croft Playgroup
Marlborough Road
Swindon
SN3 1RA

12.00pm to 1.30pm (excluding bank holidays)

Term time only

Tuesday

Lower Shaw Farm
Old Shaw Lane
Shaw
Swindon
SN5 5PJ

(Walk up the farm lane, we are in the last building on the left)

12.30pm to 2.30pm

Wednesday

Central @ RLK
(Formerly Robert Le Kyng Children Centre)
Westcott Street
Swindon
SN1 5HS
Tel: 01793 617484

12.30pm to 2.00pm

Term time only

Thursday

The Underground
Orbital Retail Park
Thamesdown Drive
Swindon
SN25 4AN

12.30pm to 2.30pm

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All Breastmates groups are currently suspended in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Please read information about other breastfeeding support. Breastmates is a network of free breastfeeding support groups held across Swindon. They are informal drop-in groups, run by mums who are not only trained in breastfeeding support, but who have breastfed and in most cases are still breastfeeding.

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Twins and multiples breastfeeding support line 

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Twins and multiples breastfeeding support line 

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Open Monday - Friday, from 10am - 1pm and then 7pm - 10pm

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A video on breastfeeding in the  first hours after birth 

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A video on breastfeeding in the  first hours after birth 

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Breastfeeding in the First Hours After Birth (Slovak subtitles) - Breastfeeding Series

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Both of my children seemed to spend the first 6 weeks or so in a constant growth spurt. If your child is doing the same, then hang in there... things almost always start to calm down somewhere between 6 and 8 weeks. With my second I figured that the early weeks would be easier since we already had one child, but I quickly found out that this just isn't the case. We were still adjusting to a change in family size (and the older child is having to adjust too - not just two adults), and our new baby was having to adjust to life outside of mom. After years of talking to mothers with new babies, I've discovered that the first 6-8 weeks with a new baby tends to be a combination of magic, exhaustion, and stress for any family - no matter how many children you have.

Tips for coping with frequent nursing

First of all, do know that frequent nursing is normal and expected in the early months - most newborns need to nurse at least 8 - 12 times per day. Frequent nursing is also needed - to avoid/reduce engorgement in the early days, to nourish and grow a baby who has a stomach the size of his fist but who needs to double his weight within 5-6 months, to establish a good milk supply for mom, and to help a baby who has been cradled close and warm inside mom for 9 months adjust to life in the outside world. Frequent nursing may sometimes be a warning sign of inefficient milk transfer or low milk supply, but if baby has good diaper output, is gaining well and is generally happy and healthy, then the frequent nursing is unlikely to be a sign of a problem.

Remember that nursing is not just about food - it's also warmth, closeness, reassurance, comfort, healing, love... Nursing has been shown to reduce stress and pain in baby, too. If you're feeling that baby shouldn't be hungry again so soon - remember that it's sometimes Mom that baby needs just as much as the milk.

Fine-tune breastfeeding

If baby seems to be nursing all the time, you first want to make sure that breastfeeding is working well. Problems with latching can result in frequent nursing if baby is not transferring milk efficiently. If baby's latch is shallow, it can be like when you're drinking from a straw and pinch the straw mostly shut - baby is still getting milk but it takes a loooong time at the breast to get enough. Often, even minor changes in latch can help a lot. Here's more on latching. If you feel that breastfeeding is not working as well as it should, do your best to get some local help - evaluating and fixing latch problems over the phone or online is difficult. Using breast massage and breast compression can also be helpful at times for babies who are frequent nursers.

Adjust your expectations

In the early weeks of breastfeeding, it really helped me to plan my day with the expectation that I would be nursing most of the time. Once I considered frequent nursing to be the norm rather than a problem, it made my life much easier.

Many books, magazine articles, friends and other products of our modern culture suggest to us that we will be able to go on with "life as usual" after baby is born - that we can and should "train" baby to conform to an adult routine. But our lives do change greatly with the birth of a new baby, and urging baby to conform to our pre-baby routines can come at great cost to both baby and parents. Routinely delaying nursing when baby cues a need to eat can harm milk supply, affect baby's weight gain, and is very stressful to both mom and baby. It is developmentally appropriate for young babies to nurse frequently. By letting baby stretch out nursing frequency on his own (and it will happen with time) - you are preserving your nursing relationship and meeting baby's physical and emotional needs.

The first 6-8 weeks are a time when you are building your milk supply and you and baby are getting used to each other and learning about nursing. After the first 6-12 weeks, most babies are much more settled and move toward a more predictable routine. Nursing sessions do not take as much time, either, as baby becomes more efficient at nursing. Nursing will not always take this much time - soon nursing will be much quicker and easier, and you will have gotten past "boot camp" to the easy phase of nursing.

Set priorities

Will the dishes be unhappy and depressed if you neglect them for a few months? You're growing and building a relationship with your children - the dishes and housework can wait when your child needs time and attention.

Make a list of the things you'd like to get done each week, and prioritize them. For the things that absolutely need to get done, see if you can find shortcuts and/or someone else who can do the job. In the early weeks, if a friend or family member asks if they can help, take them up on it - see if someone can put a load of clothes on, or wash the dishes, or vacuum the floor while you nurse baby. Some families decide that it's worth the money to get a cleaning service to come in every couple of weeks to do the heavy cleaning. Can an older neighborhood child or a friend come over to entertain your older children while you nap with baby? Can Dad make sandwiches or cut up vegetables/fruit so you have food easily available when baby is nursing often? Be creative, and don't be afraid to let the smaller things slide. You'll have plenty of time for them later - the "in arms" phase of baby's life is so short, even though it might feel like forever when you're in the middle of it.

Be prepared

Put together a collection of items that you might need while you're nursing. If you usually nurse in one particular place, you might set up a nursing area there, or if you move around you can keep your collection in a basket or other container with a handle. Some things you might want:

a few diapers & wipes

extra cloth diapers or burp rags

water bottle

snacks

books

any remote controls you might want to use

cordless phone (or make sure your answering machine is turned on)

Do you have a baby carrier? Are you comfortable with using it and nursing baby in it? A carrier will give you an extra hand (sometimes two) and allow you to keep nursing or holding baby while walking around doing other things.

Maximize sleep

Nap when baby naps. You've probably heard it a million times, but we say it because it helps! When baby goes to sleep, don't jump up to do housework - lie down and rest and try to go to sleep. If you can't sleep, then read a book, listen to music, watch a movie... but don't run around the house. If you get some sleep now, you'll have more energy to do what you need to do later.

Consider sleeping with or nearby baby so you can get more sleep. Co-sleeping (for naps, and/or during the night) is a lifesaver for many nursing moms. The closer you are to your baby, the less your sleep will be interrupted for night waking. Here are some tips on side lying nursing, and information on safely sleeping with your baby. Getting more rest can make life with baby much easier.

Do you feel trapped at home?

Many new moms feel like they're trapped at home with a frequently nursing baby, but most young babies are incredibly easy to take out and about. It can really help to get out occasionally. Here are some tips for going out:

Get a baby carrier . With a carrier (and a little practice) you can nurse your baby while you walk around the park or the mall.

Put baby in a baby carrier or a stroller, and go for a walk.

Go to a movie. Most young babies simply sleep and nurse through movies. And if you're nervous about nursing in public, a dark movie theater can be a good place to start. Go here for commentary and tips on nursing in public.

If you want to go out by yourself for a bit, you don't have to leave a bottle. If your baby normally goes an hour or two between nursing sessions, then nurse baby right before you leave and plan to be back before the next nursing session. If you have a cell phone, take it with you so Dad or another caregiver can call you if the going gets rough. Even if you can only expect 20-30 minutes between nursings, go for a walk by yourself while someone watches baby. Every little bit helps, when you're feeling "touched out.".

Additional Resources

Additional Resources at other websites

Is baby nursing too often?

Frequent Nursing (in general)

So I Nursed Him Every 45 Minutes. Every new mom should read this article!

Touch Hunger by Linda J. Smith, IBCLC. Do you have a baby who doesn't want to be put down? Read this!

The Human Pacifier by Lu Hanessian, from New Beginnings, Vol. 19 No. 1, January-February 2002, p. 14.

Babies Who Get More Cuddles Have Their Genetics Changed For Years at sciencealert.com

The Science of Mother Love: Is Science Catching Up to Mother's Wisdom? by Cori Young

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First of all, do know that frequent nursing is normal and expected in the early months - most newborns need to nurse at least 8 - 12 times per day.

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Relevant for formula fed and breastfed babies.

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Breastfeeding: how much milk does a baby need?

Breastfeeding is a skill that mother and baby learn together. It is normal for it to take some practice and for it to take a while for mothers to feel confident that babies are getting the milk they need (NHS, 2018a).

In the meantime, it can be reassuring to know that a breastfed baby who is fed on demand won't overfeed (NHS, 2020). And although you can't measure how much they are drinking, they will stop drinking when they've had enough, and feed again if they want to stimulate your supply (NHS, 2020).

Watch our video about how to know if you're feeding your baby in the right way.

You'll also be able tell if they're feeding well by checking the following...

Their poo

The first type of poo your baby will produce is called meconium. It is produced from birth for the first 2-3 days, and is sticky and green/black in colour. From day four you can expect breastfed baby poo to be soft and a yellow, mustard colour. Babies who are formula feeding might have more solid poo than those who breastfeed (NHS, 2018b). Babies do an average of four poos a day for the first week.

Their wet nappies

In their first 48 hours, most babies will only have two or three wet nappies.

If you have had IV fluids during labour or if your baby was born by caesarean, this will cause extra fluids in both you and your baby, so your baby will wee more in the first 24 hours (Noel-Weiss, 2011).

But from day five, you should get at least five or six heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours. Their wee should be pale and not dark brown (UNICEF and Start4Life, 2010; UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, 2010; NHS, 2018a).

Their behaviour

If your baby has a full tummy, they should seem healthy and alert when they're awake. They will also seem calm and relaxed while they're breastfeeding (UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, 2010; NHS, 2018a).

Weight gain

It's normal for babies to lose some weight during the first few days of life: 5-7% weight loss is considered normal. If baby loses 10% or more then this is an indicator they aren't getting enough milk. This weight loss usually stops after about 3-4 days. For most babies their weight has returned to what it was at birth by the time they are three weeks old (NICE, 2017). After that, they should be growing and putting on weight steadily (NHS, 2018a).

They will be weighed regularly (approximately once a month in the first six months) and their weight recorded in their personal child health record (PCHR) or red book (NHS, 2020).

Formula feeding or expressed milk: how much milk does a baby need?

If you're offering your baby milk from a bottle, whether formula or expressed milk, it is recommended to respond to your baby's signals about when they're hungry/thirsty and when they've had enough milk, unless there is a concern and your midwife or doctor has suggested otherwise (UNICEF, 2019).

Formula packaging suggests how much milk to offer, but use this as a rough guide while you're getting to know your baby because all babies are different.

Research into responsive or 'paced' bottle feeding suggests it can help reduce the risk of obesity. When your baby has had all the milk they want, remember to throw away any milk left in the bottle. Milk left in the bottle could become a source of infection. See more suggestions about how to bottle-feed responsively. (UNICEF, 2019).

How can I tell if breastfeeding is going well?

The following are seen as signs that breastfeeding is going well:

Your baby is well-attached if:

they have a wide mouth

they have a big mouthful of breast

their chin is touching your breast

their lower lip is rolled down (although you might not see this)

their nose is not usually squashed against your breast (unless the mother has quite large breasts)

your breasts or nipples are not painful when your baby's feeding, although their first few sucks might feel strong

more of the dark skin around your nipple (areola) is visible above your baby's lips than below them.

(UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, 2010; NICE, 2015; NHS, 2018a )

Your baby is getting enough milk if:

their feeding starts with a few quick sucks and after that their sucks and swallows are longer and rhythmical, with a few pauses

you see them swallow and you may hear them swallowing by around day three to four

their cheeks are rounded when they suck, rather than hollow

they're calm and relaxed when they're feeding

they finish a feed, either by coming off the breast or falling asleep after an active feed

they've got a moist mouth after they've fed

they look content and satisfied after most feeds

your breasts become softer after feeds

your nipple looks about the same after your baby's feeds, rather than white, flattened or pinched

you may feel relaxed and sleepy after you've breastfed.

(NICE, 2015; NHS, 2016)

How do I know that my baby is thriving?

How a baby looks and their behaviour are useful guides to whether they are 'thriving'. A thriving baby:

has a good skin colour

is alert when they're awake

asks for feeds

is usually satisfied after feeds.

(UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, 2010)

What should I do if I don't think I have enough milk?

Breastmilk is made on a supply and demand basis; the more milk your baby takes from your breast, the more milk you make. But the baby must be well latched on to do this. You can increase your milk supply by: (NHS 2018a)

Feed your baby as often and as long as your baby wants

Feed from both breasts at each feed

Keep your baby close and give lots of skin-to-skin, particularly in the early weeks, to maximise opportunities to breastfeed

Avoid giving your baby infant formula

Avoid dummies until your baby has learnt how to breastfeed well

If you're worried your baby isn't getting enough milk, speak to your health visitor, midwife or a breastfeeding counsellor. They can check how the baby is latched and may suggest changes you can make to help your baby get a deeper latch. Your health visitor or midwife can also rule out any underlying health problems or may refer you for a tongue tie assessment (NICE, 2015).

If you need breastfeeding support you can visit a local breastfeeding support group (some support groups are available online). In some situations it may be possible to have a home visit.

You can also speak to an NCT breastfeeding counsellor on our helpline (0300 330 0700) which is open every day, 8am to midnight. You could take a look at our article about breastfeeding support page to find out more.

Further information

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk.

Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions.

You can also find more useful articles here.

National Breastfeeding Line (government funded): 0300 100 0212.

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Is my baby getting enough milk from breastfeeding or formula? | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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It's one of the most common worries in new parents: how do you know if your baby is well fed? Here are your questions answered.

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Useful visuals to help you know if your baby is getting enough milk 

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Useful visuals to help you know if your baby is getting enough milk 

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However you decide to feed your baby, these cues are will help you spot when your baby is ready for a feed.

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How to help your baby attach and breastfeed | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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Many people assume breastfeeding just comes ‘naturally’ but it’s a learning process for many mums and babies. Here are our tips on getting the hang of it…

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Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Guide to Formula Feeding - Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Open everyday from 9.30-9.30

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Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Hand expression

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Information on expressing colostrum antenatally 

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Information on expressing colostrum antenatally 

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Antenatal Expression of Colostrum - La Leche League GB

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Mothers start to produce colostrum (early milk) while pregnant. Being able to express colostrum is a useful skill to have. Saving your expressed colostrum may also be beneficial if your baby is likely to need special care after birth. Why express while pregnant? Being familiar with your breasts and…

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If you feel a small, tender lump in your breast it may be a blocked duct, find more information here.

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Inflammation of the milk ducts (also known as blocked ducts) | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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What does an inflamed milk duct feel and look like? And what’s the best way to treat it? Find out everything you need to know here. 

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Includes an example of good attachment at 1:22

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Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Breastfeeding problems

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A video with advice for attachment and positioning 

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A video with advice for attachment and positioning 

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Attaching Your Baby at the Breast – Breastfeeding Series

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Includes useful pictures

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The way you hold your baby or position them will affect how easy it is for them to breastfeed effectively. You can breastfeed your baby in many different positions, so it's good to try different ones. This helps you find what's most comfortable for you and allows your baby to get just the right mouthful of breast to feed effectively and easily.

Breastfeeding positions for newborns

When you first start breastfeeding, you and your baby may take a while to master this new skill. Patience and trying different positions will help you find a position that works for you both.
Our video has some great tips on different ways to hold your baby.
If you're having problems breastfeeding, or with latching or attachment, do call our infant feeding support line on 0300 330 0700 to talk to a breastfeeding counsellor. Your midwife or health visitor may know about local breastfeeding support groups.

Getting some support with breastfeeding can help you to get comfortable in one or more of the breastfeeding positions that we describe in this article.

Here's how to get started...

Preparing to feed

Your baby will be happier and will latch more easily if you can identify and respond to their early feeding cues. If they are crying or upset, they need to be calmed before they are ready to feed.

Holding them against you, talking to them, walking around or gently rocking might help if they need to be calmed. Most babies like to have their hands free to touch and stroke your breast; this helps to reassure them that they are in the right place.

Read more about getting started with breastfeeding in our article here.

Laid-back position

Sitting upright

Lying down

Underarm or rugby ball

Holding your baby under your arm may be suggested to women who have given birth by caesarean, to avoid pressure on the wound. This position might also be suggested to mothers of twins. However, it can be difficult to maintain this position as the baby's weight is being taken by the mother's hand. Babies soon outgrow this position, and it doesn't allow them to use their instincts and reflexes to attach on to the breast (NHS, 2020; La Leche League, 2022).

Breastfeeding positions for a fast milk flow

If you have a fast milk flow, this could be due to a large supply of breast milk. A fast milk flow can make your baby cough, splutter and come off the breast, which is sometimes similar to reflux symptoms. If they're having problems, it could be that the baby needs more control when they're feeding. If this is the case, laid-back feeding, where the baby is more in control, could be useful as it helps your baby to attach better and pull back if they need to take a break.

Breastfeeding your baby as they grow

As your baby grows, they become more active in getting themselves into position, and they're longer and heavier. So you might need to adjust you and your baby's position to continue to feed comfortably and effectively.

A laid-back breastfeeding position could be useful with larger or older babies as you do not have to use your arms to hold their weight. You can always ask a breastfeeding counsellor for support with finding positions that suit you and your baby.

Breastfeeding position tips

Whichever breastfeeding position you choose, remember...

Get comfortable before you start.

Tuck your baby in closely to you.

Bring your baby to your breast or let them attach themselves rather than leaning towards them.

Avoid putting the breast in your baby's mouth; let them take it in themselves.

Check that their ear, shoulder and hip are all in a line - not twisted round.

If you are bringing your baby to your breast, make sure they are turned towards your breast, with your nipple level with baby's nose - they shouldn't have to turn their head.

Cushions, special breastfeeding pillows and other supports can prevent your baby's body from getting close enough to your body or may raise your baby's body too high for effective attachment. It's best to get your baby attached to the breast, then if support is needed tuck a pillow in under your arm at the point where you are feeling strain from the weight of the baby.

(UNICEF and NHS, 2022)

Many women and babies take a while to get used to breastfeeding and it can take a while to find the position(s) that work best for you. Experimenting with different positions can help you find the ones that work best for you and your baby.
Page last reviewed December 2022.
Further information

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

National Breastfeeding Line (government funded): 0300 100 021.

For further information on how to breastfeed, including positioning and breastfeeding attachment, and a section on expressing your breastmilk by hand, visit Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative support area for parents.

Bump to Breastfeeding DVD: available from your midwife or library - see more at www.bestbeginnings.org.uk

Coulson S. (2012) Biological nurturing: the laid-back breastfeeding revolution Midwifery today. 101. Available at: https://midwiferytoday.com/mt-articles/biological-nurturing/ [Accessed 7th November 2022]

La Leche League. (2022) Positioning. Available at: https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/positioning [Accessed 7th November 2022]

Milinco M, Travan L, Cattaneo A, Knowles A, Sola MV, Causin E, et al. (2020) Effectiveness of biological nurturing on early breastfeeding problems: a randomized controlled trial. Int Breastfeed J. 15(1):21. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00261-4

NHS. (2020) How to breastfeed. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/how-... [Accessed 7th November 2022]

UNICEF; NHS. (2022) Off to the best start. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfe... [Accessed 25th November 2022]

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Breastfeeding positions: which are best for you? | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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Here we provide tips on breastfeeding positions, including laid-back, lying down, sitting upright and underarm positions.