# data[].attributes.headline
Working and breastfeeding - La Leche League

# data[].attributes.subject
Working and breastfeeding - La Leche League

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many mothers work outside the home and continue to breastfeed. LLLGB is here to help with information and support if you are going back to work.

I'm going back to work. Do I need to stop breastfeeding?
Why is breastfeeding so important?
But won't it be a hassle?
What are my options? Choose childcare carefully Consider expressing your milk Solid foods Making it work Somewhere to express Before you return to work Expressing
Working and breastfeeding Further reading

I'm going back to work. Do I need to stop breastfeeding?

There is no need to stop breastfeeding when you return to work. Returning to paid work doesn't prevent you from breastfeeding your baby. Depending on the nature of your job and the age of your baby, you'll probably need to adjust your nursing relationship. You'll also need to talk to your employer, but time away from your little one doesn't mean breastfeeding has to end. Continuing to nurse may be even more important to you both as you adjust to big changes in your lives. Mothers choose to continue breastfeeding for their babies' health and because breastfeeding is good for the whole family. It provides easy feeding on days at home and a warm way to reconnect at the end of a long day for mother and child. It's well worth planning how to balance breastfeeding with your work routine.

Why is breastfeeding so important?

Your milk alone is vital to your baby during the first six months of life, and continues to be an important part of his diet until 12 months and beyond. Formula just doesn't compare. As well as meeting nutritional needs, breastmilk is packed with antibodies-particularly important if your little one will be spending time in nursery or with a childminder. And when you are together, making time to reconnect through snuggling up and nursing will be even more meaningful. You'll miss each other when you're apart.

But won't it be a hassle?

Being a working mother will be challenging, but breastfeeding can make life easier. Ending the breastfeeding relationship may appear at first to be the simplest solution, but with the increased risk of illness, plus the effort involved in buying, preparing and storing formula, weaning may ultimately be the real hassle. Also consider that your baby will eventually outgrow the need to nurse. Most mothers reduce and stop pumping before their babies stop breastfeeding.

What are my options?

Your options depend on the age of your baby and the nature of your job. You can start planning before your baby is born. Gather ideas from any co-workers who breastfed their babies. Studies show that the longer you wait before returning to work, the easier the transition will be for both you and your baby.

Consider your employment flexibility and workday practicalities:

Can you extend your maternity leave, request part-time or flexible working hours, or an extended lunch hour?

Are you able to work from home for all or some of the time, or even bring your baby to work?

Can you break up your working week, perhaps working alternate days, so your baby is not away from you several days in a row?

Shorter workdays may be easier to manage, with less pumping for you and fewer missed breastfeeds for your baby.

Or you may prefer fewer but longer workdays, with more full days at home with your baby.

Choose childcare carefully

Having your baby nearby may allow you to go and nurse him during your lunch hour. Or maybe someone could bring him to you? Look for carers who are supportive of and knowledgeable about breastfeeding. It's important they respect your decision to provide only your milk for your baby.

Consider expressing your milk

You can use a good quality electric pump or learn to hand express. This is especially important if your baby is less than a year old. Expressing milk will enable you to maintain milk production as well as ensuring your baby can still receive your milk whilst you're apart. If you decide not to express your milk at work you can still continue breastfeeding when you're at home. You may need to express at first to avoid the discomfort of engorgement and the risk of mastitis.

Solid foods

Once your baby is eating more solid foods, he will need less expressed milk while you are away. But your baby will enjoy your yummy milk once you get home again!

Making it work

I don't want to wean, but I'm sure my employer will want me to!
This is one time when your employer can't tell you what to do! Daunting as it may seem, it's important to tell your employer about your need to express milk for your baby. Depending on what is available in your workplace, you may find it helpful to speak to someone from the human resources department, a health and safety representative and/or your trade union representative before speaking to your line manager. Employers are legally required to do a health and safety risk assessment for breastfeeding mothers, so you'll need to notify them in writing a few weeks before you return to work. Explain that being able to pump regularly will reduce any risk of you becoming engorged and developing mastitis.

Research shows it's a win-win situation if breastfeeding is supported and therefore continues: you'll feel positive about your company and your job satisfaction will increase-along with your willingness to work hard! Your employer will gain from your hard work and, because your baby will have breastmilk's infection protection, you're likely to take less time off.

For more information on your rights, and what employers are required to do to support you, see:
Maternity Action and their guidance on Breastfeeding at Work
ACAS: accommodating breastfeeding in the workplace
The Health & Safety Executive: Protecting pregnant workers and new mothers

Somewhere to express

You'll want to request somewhere private to express your milk, preferably with a door that can be locked. It helps to have access to electricity for your pump, a fridge and running water. A comfortable place to sit and a table for your pump and other supplies are also important. Bathrooms and toilets are not suitable. Employers are legally required to provide suitable facilities for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to "rest". Although, they are not required by law to provide a private and safe place to express and store milk, the Health and Safety Executive recommend that they do. All employers must carry out a risk assessment so it would be very difficult for them to refuse. Be very clear about what you want to do and what you need. And do point out that expressing is something that, depending on the age of your baby, you may only need to do for a few months.

Before you return to work

Attend LLL meetings to meet other breastfeeding mothers in your area. You can offer each other vital support when breastfeeding, pumping, mothering or working becomes challenging.

Practise pumping or hand expressing to learn what works for you. You can freeze the small amounts of milk you collect to use for your first few days back at work and to give you a small back-up supply. Once you're missing feeds, the amount of milk you can pump will incre se and your baby can have fresh milk from the previous workday. Fresh milk retains more nutrients and immune factors.

Wait to introduce a bottle until just before you start back to work. Making breastfeeding a priority while you are at home will help you avoid feeding problems. An older baby may never need a bottle. Milk can be given in a cup or mixed with solid food.

Make your return to work easier by starting back on a Thursday or Friday. At the weekend, rest and prepare for any challenges you didn't anticipate. Make changes if your first strategy doesn't suit you or your baby.

Expressing

It's usually best to express milk at least every three hours while you are away from your baby. You may need to pump or express your milk more frequently at first so you don't feel uncomfortably full or start to leak. Be sure to include commuting time when deciding how often to pump. If you feel the tingling of your milk beginning to flow, pressing hard on your nipples for several seconds can prevent leaking. This can be done discreetly by crossing your arms tightly across your chest and pressing firmly on your nipples with the palms of your hands. Hold for a few seconds before releasing and all should be well. If it doesn't work first time, try again for a little longer. But bear in mind that if your breasts feel full, this is a sign you need to express some milk. With time you'll have fewer problems with leaking.

Working and breastfeeding

It can be so rewarding to continue to nurse your baby after returning to work. It's a wonderful way of reconnecting after a day apart. LLL meetings can continue to be a good source of support after you return to work. If you're unable to attend every meeting, your local LLL Leader can still listen to any concerns you have and offer support.

Written by Sue Upstone & Mothers of LLLGB.

Further reading

Working and Breastfeeding
Workday practicalities
If you leave your baby
When mum can't be there
Expressing your breastmilk
Hand expression of breastmilk
My Journey Returning To Work, a mother's story
Mothers on ... breastfeeding & work

Books
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding LLLI. London: Pinter & Martin, 2010.
Exclusively Pumping Breastmilk Stephanie Casemore. Canada: Gray Lion Publ. 2013

LLL Articles
New Guidance For Employers on Breastfeeding Breaks in the Workplace
Supporting Women's Right To Breastfeed

You may also wish to look at the following guidance:
Maternity Action and their guidance on Breastfeeding at Work
ACAS: accommodating breastfeeding in the workplace
The Health & Safety Executive: Protecting pregnant workers and new mothers

This information is available to buy in printed form from the LLLGB Shop

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Working and Breastfeeding - La Leche League GB

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There is no need to stop breastfeeding when you return to work. Many mothers work outside the home and continue to breastfeed. LLLGB is here to help with information and support if you are going back to work.

# data[].attributes.headline
Breastfeeding and going back to work - NHS

# data[].attributes.subject
Breastfeeding and going back to work - NHS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Breastfeeding exclusively (giving your baby no other food or drink) is recommended for around the first 6 months. After this time, breastfeeding is recommended alongside solid food.

Therefore, it's likely that you'll be breastfeeding when you return to work, training or education.

There are several options. You can:

arrange for childcare close to work or college so that you can breastfeed during breaks, or before and after work - the evening feed can be a wonderful way for you to relax with your baby

express breast milk (taking milk from the breast by hand or using a pump) so that someone else can feed your baby while you're at work

ask your employer or college for flexible working hours arranged around your breastfeeding needs

combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding to fit around your hours

Think about it early. Before you go back to work or college, tell your employer or tutor you're breastfeeding.

You may have an HR department that can help. It can make preparations, such as finding you a private room where you can breastfeed or express your milk.

Organising breastfeeding and work

Before returning to work you can:

label and date expressed breast milk before putting it in the fridge or freezer so your childminder knows which one to use first

have a trial run with childcare before returning to work

store breast milk in a sterilised container or in special breast milk storage bags in the fridge for up to 8 days at 4C or lower (you can buy fridge thermometers online) - if you're not sure of the temperature of your fridge, or it's higher than 4C, use it within 3 days

Information for employers about breastfeeding mothers

Employers have certain legal obligations to breastfeeding mothers. Supporting breastfeeding has business benefits too. These include:

reduced absence due to child sickness (breastfed babies are generally healthier)

increased staff morale and loyalty, and a subsequently higher rate of return to work

lower recruitment and training costs

an extra incentive to offer potential employees

How employers can help breastfeeding mothers

Employers can have a policy to support breastfeeding. This includes:

a break allowance for mothers to express milk

provision of a clean, warm, private room (not the toilet) for expressing

a secure, clean fridge to store expressed milk

flexible working hours for breastfeeding mothers

Let your employees know about your policy before they start their maternity leave.

What the law says about breastfeeding mothers at work

It's up to mothers to decide how long they want to breastfeed. Returning to work doesn't mean a mother has to stop. Before returning to work, she should give her employer written notification that she's breastfeeding. Her employer must then conduct a specific risk assessment.

Workplace regulations require employers to provide suitable facilities where pregnant and breastfeeding mothers can rest.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that it's good practice for employers to provide a private, healthy and safe environment for breastfeeding mothers to express and store milk. The toilets are not a suitable place to express breast milk.

The HSE has more advice about protecting new and expectant mothers at work.

Talk to other breastfeeding mums

If you know any breastfeeding mothers who have already gone back to work, ask them for advice.

You could also visit healthtalk.org to see mothers talking about breastfeeding and working.

Got a breastfeeding question?

Sign into Facebook and message the Start4Life Breastfeeding Friend chatbot for fast, friendly, trusted NHS advice anytime, day or night.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Information for employees and employers on returning to work and breastfeeding, including tips on expressing and storing breast milk.

# data[].attributes.body
Fridays 9am-12:00pm- Winchester Hospital

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Infant feeding support clinic for those that have given birth, or are receiving postnatal care with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.body
Thursdays 8am - 11am - Basingstoke Hospital

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Run by our infant feeding team to support with all stages of feeding baby, from antenatal through to postnatal.

# data[].attributes.body
Wednesdays 9am-11:15am - virtual via Teams

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Run by HHFT infant feeding team to support with all stages of feeding baby, from antenatal through to postnatal.

# data[].attributes.body
Tuesdays 10am-1pm Oakridge Hall for All, Basingstoke

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Please book a time slot for a one to one (partners welcome) appointment with a member of the Infant Feeding Team to assist with any feeding queries or issues. We can provide support for families UNDER THE CARE OF HAMPSHIRE HOSPITALS with antenatal colostrum collection, as well as feeding support up to baby's 28th day. If booking postnatally, please try to arrive with baby ready to feed if possible. Please bring any items required for support with feeding, such as pillows, nipple shields, bottles, expressed milk/formula/colostrum collection kits. Whilst we do appreciate how difficult time management is with a new baby, we would really appreciate it if you could be punctual for your appointment. This will enable us to offer support as many families as possible. Any issues on the day, or to cancel the appointment please text or call Hayley C on 07786173246. Please leave a voicemail if no answer. We kindly ask that you try to cancel at least the day before if you know you aren't going to be able to make the appointment, this will then free up a slot for us to potentially help another family.

Venue details - Ground floor clinic room, cafe on site, free parking.

Please enter through the main door and take a seat to the left hand side as you enter. A member of the feeding team will come to collect you at your appointment time.

Please copy the links below and paste into your browser for details/ to book an appointment at one of our other infant feeding support clinics:

Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/491698402157

The Wilson Practice, Alton: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/444497001497

Winchester and Andover based clinics coming soon!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
infant feeding support clinic basingstoke

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
infant feeding support clinic basingstoke tickets

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Eventbrite - Charlotte Hughes - Infant feeding Lead presents Infant Feeding Support Clinic - Tuesday, 11 October 2022 | Tuesday, 25 March 2025 at Oakridge Hall for All, Basingstoke, England. Find event and ticket information.

# data[].attributes.body
Mondays 9:15 - 12:15 Chantry Centre, Andover

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Please book a time slot for a one to one appointment (partners welcome) with a member of the Infant Feeding Team to assist with any feeding queries or issues. We can provide support with antenatal colostrum collection, as well as feeding support up to baby's 28th day. If booking postnatally, please try to arrive with baby ready to feed if possible. Please bring any items required for support with feeding, such as pillows, nipple shields, bottles, expressed milk/formula and colostrum collection kits. Whilst we do appreciate how difficult time management is with a new baby, we would really appreciate it if you could be punctual for your appointment. This will enable us to support as many families as possible.

Any queries on the day, or to cancel, please email infantfeedingteam@hhft.nhs.uk. Please try to cancel at least one day before if possible, so we are able to potentially offer the appointment to another family.

Venue details: Andover Health Hub (vaccination clinic) in Chantry Centre. Please report to reception and a member of the Infant Feeding Team will come and collect you at your appointment time.

Please copy the links below and paste into your browser to book an appointment at one of our other infant feeding support clinics:

Oakridge Hall for All, Basingstoke: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/432577359527

Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/491698402157

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
infant feeding support clinic - andover tickets

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
infant feeding support clinic - andover andover

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
infant feeding support clinic - andover andover tickets

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Eventbrite - Charlotte Hughes - Infant feeding Lead presents Infant feeding support clinic - Andover - Monday, July 29, 2024 | Monday, October 20, 2025 at Chantry Centre, Andover, England. Find event and ticket information.

# data[].attributes.body
A video from the infant feeding team at UHS

# data[].attributes.body
Information on what infant milk is suitable for your baby and FAQs

# data[].attributes.body
If you think your baby may have a tongue-tie which is impacting their feeding, please speak with your midwife, health visitor or attend a feeding support clinic. They will be able to complete a feeding assessment, provide feeding support and if necessary, complete a tongue-tie referral. All referrals (for babies under 6 weeks) are reviewed and triaged by the infant feeding team and you may be offered an appointment in one of the tongue-tie clinics held in Winchester and Basingstoke.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Feeding your baby on the neonatal unit can be different to what you had planned, but you can still find the best way of feeding for you and your baby. Find out more here.

# data[].attributes.headline
Supporting love and nurture on the neonatal unit

# data[].attributes.subject
Supporting love and nurture on the neonatal unit

# data[].attributes.headline
Expressing milk for your baby in the neonatal unit

# data[].attributes.subject
Expressing milk for your baby in the neonatal unit

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It can sometimes be hard to tell if your baby's nappy is as wet as it should be. A Midwife or Doctor may ask you if your baby is having 'heavy nappies', but what does this mean?

Try this test so you have an idea of what to expect:

Pour two to four tablespoons of water into a dry nappy and pick it up.

That's roughly how heavy your baby's nappy will be when wet, from day five onwards.

Some nappies will have a strip which tells you that the nappy is wet, this can help reassure you they have had a wee if you aren't sure.

If your baby is wearing a reusable nappy, you may need to open it to check whether it's wet. Some reusable nappies have a liner inside, which you can check for wetness. Others may need the cloth of the nappy itself checking.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It can sometimes be hard to tell if your baby's nappy is as wet as it should be. A Midwife or Doctor may ask you if your baby is having 'heavy nappies', but what does this mean?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How milk production works - La Leche League GB

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mothers have successfully fed their children for thousands of years of human history without understanding how it works. It’s a bit like driving a car – as long as it’s working well, you don’t need to know what is going on under the bonnet! If you are having breastfeeding problems, such as low milk supply […]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sometimes, it can be hard to convince your baby to latch on to your breast. This can be stressful but there are lots of things you can try to make it easier. If you are struggling to get your baby to latch on, first try following our guide on how to breastfeed.

You might find that it helps to hand express some drops of milk onto your nipple so your baby can smell and taste it.

If possible, try breastfeeding as soon as your baby shows any signs of hunger. A very hungry baby may become distressed and this can make latching more difficult.

If your breasts have become very full and hard, it may be hard for your baby to latch. You can try expressing just enough milk to soften your breasts, so you feel more comfortable and to make latching easier for your baby.

Reverse pressure softening may also help if your breasts are very full or engorged.

It might help to spend some time in skin-to-skin contact, with the baby close to your breast and with access to your nipple, but without pressure to latch on and feed. You could try a laid-back position with your baby laid on your tummy/chest, so they can root and seek out the breast themselves.

Sometimes it helps to take a 'Babymoon'. Sometimes families can have lots of visitors in the first few days and end up being busy making cups of tea and looking after visitors. This can impact on you as a breastfeeding parent, as you don't have the time to sit and really spend time getting to know your new baby and work together on getting breastfeeding established. This is especially true if you are worried about feeding with people around. You are also less likely to be spending time in skin-to-skin contact with baby if you have lots of visitors around!

Sometimes when you are finding feeding isn't working that well in the first weeks (or even later on) it could help to spend 24 hours or so just focusing on your little one and on feeding, especially if you have been busy. Some breastfeeding parents head to bed for lots of skin-to-skin and others just ask for no visitors (except those who are willing to look after you so that you can focus yourself and your baby!) This is sometimes called a babymoon.

If you are still having trouble with latching or breastfeeding, speak your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding supporter. You can visit a local support group or contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline as well.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
My baby won't latch on - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sometimes, it can be hard to convince your baby to latch on to your breast. This can be stressful but there are lots of things you can try to make it easier. If you are struggling to get your baby to latch on, first try following our guide on how to breastfeed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Pain in your nipples or breasts whilst breastfeeding is most often linked to how you are holding your baby and bringing them to your breast (often referred to as positioning and attachment). Before considering any alternative reasons for experiencing pain whilst breastfeeding please use our guide to positioning and attachment to rule this out as a cause of pain. Even if there is another medical basis for the pain, getting positioning and attachment as comfortable as possible will still help.

When you first start breastfeeding, it is common to experience a strong and sometimes uncomfortable sensation for the first few seconds of your baby latching on. However, this should pass quickly, and feeding should become comfortable. If this is not the case, trying some small changes to your positioning and attachment could help make feeding more comfortable for you.

Signs that attachment is not as effective as it could be include:

If the pain is worst at the start of a feed, and continues for more than a few seconds.

If your nipple changes shape after breastfeeding - either lipstick shaped or flattened

If your baby slurps onto nipple rather than attaching with open gape

If your nipple changes colour after the breastfeed - classically a white tip to the nipple, although this may not be visible on all skin tones

If your nipple is damaged, with cracks or bleeding

If the pain is not improved after trying some of the ideas in our guide on positioning and attachment, please seek support from a breastfeeding supporter. They can observe and assess a full feed. You can also find a local support group here or contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

If your nipple is damaged, use moist wound healing within the wound (avoid applying cream to whole nipple) to stop a scab forming, which will deepen the wound. You can continue to breastfeed on a damaged nipple as it will still be able to heal, but it is very important to get support with positioning and attachment to prevent further damage occurring.

If a breastfeeding practitioner has helped you adjust your positioning and attachment and you still have pain or nipple damage, your baby may need to be assessed for a tongue tie or other issues that might be making breastfeeding harder.

Other causes of pain in breastfeeding:

Allergy

If your nipples are itchy (which may be triggered by warmth) or changed in colour (which may show as redness on lighter skin tones) but you do not see any change in the shape of your nipples and are not experiencing pain, the problem may be an allergy to something in contact with your nipples, such as nipple cream or breast pads. Try eliminating these to identify the cause. If disposable breast pads are causing irritation, you could try washable ones instead.

The symptoms may be relieved by a non-sedating antihistamine and hydrocortisone 1% cream applied sparingly. See our factsheet on antihistamines for more information on taking these whilst breastfeeding.

Vasospasm

If your nipple turns white at tip after breastfeeds and pain or itchiness, and redness on some skin tones, occurs immediately at end of feed when blood returns, vasospasm could be the cause.

This is due to restricted circulation from compression of the nipple by the baby squashing it between their tongue and the roof of their mouth during a feed. It can be relieved by help with attachment from a specialist breastfeeding practitioner. Vasospasm can occur in one or both breasts. It does not respond to medication which is unnecessary, but can be improved by adjusting positioning and attachment.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

If the pain is worst at the end of or after a feed and your nipples change colour rapidly after breastfeeds from white to purple then red (this might not be visible on all skin tones), you may be experiencing Raynaud's Phenomenon.

If you have a history of circulation problems or migraine and pain is triggered or made worse by cold, Raynaud's Phenomenon is more likely. Pain can be immediately after a feed but may also be delayed or can be triggered by cold even when not feeding.

You may be able to improve your symptoms by avoiding breastfeeding in cold places, covering your nipple as soon as a feed is finished and applying warmth after feeds. If this is not effective, consider asking GP to prescribe nifedipine 10mg three times a day or nifedipine LA 30mg daily. Treatment for two weeks may be sufficient or may be needed long term. You can find more detail in our Raynaud's phenomenon factsheet.

A white spot, bleb or blocked nipple pore.

If pain is worst at the end of or after a feed and you can point to a discrete spot (which may be white, yellow or pale pink) on your nipple as the origin of the pain, this is likely to be due to a white spot, also called a bleb, blocked nipple pore or milk blister. Symptoms may return periodically.

A white spot is thought to be caused by a thin bit of skin growing over a milk duct opening, and milk backing up behind it.

You can continue to feed with a white spot, and feeding may cause it to clear spontaneously. If it does not clear, the skin overgrowth can sometimes be removed by soaking the nipple in warm water and rubbing gently with a clean, moist washcloth. You can also try softening the skin with an oil such as olive oil. If this doesn't work, the skin may require removal by a healthcare professional using a sterile needle. Antibiotic cream may be required if a significant wound results. If you squeeze just behind the blister some toothpaste-like thickened milk may come out through the now opened blister.

Expressing milk

If your nipple is sore or damaged and you are using a breast pump rather than feeding directly, you may need to reduce the strength of the suction on your pump or you may be using a flange that is the wrong size. Speak to your health visitor, midwife or peer supporter to get support with expressing your milk if needed.

Strong let-down

If the pain is strongest at start of feed or just before a feed and there is a sharp intense pain in your breast(s), often described as squeezing pain, this can be due to the let down or milk ejection reflex. Pain can be worse on fuller breast.

If it is associated with leaking milk, you can reduce this by applying firm hand pressure to your breast at the time of leaking.

If your baby also makes a clicking noise during feeds or pulls away choking once the feed has started, the fast flow of milk may mean your baby is struggling to attach well. Further support from a skilled breastfeeding practitioner to improve attachment may be useful.

You may find it helpful to express a small amount of milk just before a feed if your breasts are full, to get past the powerful let-down before starting the feed, or to use a laid-back breastfeeding position, so that the milk flow is less overwhelming for your baby.

Engorgement

If your breasts are painfully hard and full, and feeding or expressing milk relieves this sensation, your breasts may be engorged. This may be worst first thing in the morning, especially if you have not fed frequently through the night. You can avoid engorgement by feeding frequently and responsively, including at night time. Consider offering your baby a feed whenever your breasts start to feel full or uncomfortable. If you are unable to feed at that time, or if your baby refuses a feed, you can express just enough milk to relieve the discomfort. Avoid expressing more milk than necessary, as this could trigger an increase in your milk supply and make the engorgement worse. Allowing your breasts to remain engorged could lead to your breasts becoming inflamed (mastitis), or a reduction in your milk supply, so it is best to avoid this whenever possible.

If you find it hard to latch your baby on when your breasts become very full, you may like to try reverse pressure softening. Reverse pressure softening is a way to soften your areola. It can help make latching and removing milk easier when your areola is very swollen and engorged by temporarily relieving firmness and swelling.

It can be particularly helpful if you have some oedema or swelling due to IV fluids or drugs given during labour and birth, especially if you had a caesarean section. Breast engorgement in the early days can be caused by your milk coming in or by a combination of fluid held in the breast tissue around the milk ducts as well as by milk within the breast.

Reverse pressure softening briefly moves mild or firmer swelling away from under your areola, slightly backward into your breast for a short period of 5-10 minutes. This allows your areola to change shape and makes latching easier as your baby is able to get more of your areola and breast tissue into their mouth.

Reverse pressure softening also causes a 'let-down' reflex, making it easier for your baby to get milk or for you to remove milk by hand expressing or expressing with a breast pump.

Reverse pressure softening should not be used if you have mastitis, plugged ducts or a breast abscess.
How to do reverse pressure softening:
The key is to make your areola very soft right around the base of the nipple. This can make it easier for your baby to get a better latch.

Press gently on the edge of your areola, inward towards your chest wall, counting slowly to 50

Once the areola has softened, you can start to feed your baby or express (by hand or using a breast pump on low to medium pressure)

If you have very swollen breasts, doing reverse pressure softening lying on your back (taking advantage of gravity) will give more relief

Soften your areola right before each feeding (or expressing) until the swelling goes away. This takes two to four days or more

Blocked ducts and Mastitis

If there is a sore, lumpy area on your breast that may also feel hot and can appear red on lighter skin tones, you may have a blocked duct or mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast. It may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Continue to feed responsively and seek support from a specialist breastfeeding practitioner as soon as possible. Blocked ducts or mastitis may be triggered by feeding infrequently, allowing your breasts to become overfull or other situations that increase pressure on your breast, for example, wearing a bra that is too tight or wearing your baby in a sling for longer than usual. Adjusting the way you hold your baby and bring them to your breast when feeding ( positioning and attachment) may also help.

You can take ibuprofen 400mg as anti-inflammatory if appropriate (i.e. if you have no contra-indications such as asthma or stomach ulcer), and also paracetamol for pain or fever. Antibiotics are not usually required if self-help measures are started quickly, but you should see a doctor if your symptoms persist. You can read our factsheets on pain relief medicines and breastfeeding and our mastitis page for more detailed information.

Abscess

An abscess is a rare complication of mastitis. You might want to consider whether you have an abscess if mastitis has not resolved following frequent, effective feeding and a course of antibiotics and if the skin on your breast looks like orange peel. A milk sample should be taken to ascertain the micro-organism involved in the infection to help decide which antibiotic might be most appropriate. An ultra sound investigation may be required to diagnose an abscess. Drainage of pus by needle aspiration or surgical drainage together with appropriate antibiotic might be offered. Abscess formation is a rare complication of infectious mastitis and may involve MRSA. You may benefit from emotional support from a breastfeeding supporter alongside specialist support from medical staff.

Thrush

Signs of thrush in you

Thrush (Candida albicans) infection can affect your breast while you are breastfeeding. Symptoms of thrush are a sudden start of breast and/or nipple pain in BOTH breasts after some weeks of pain free breastfeeding - pain is severe and can last for an hour after EVERY breastfeed. It should be confirmed by a swab of your nipples.

Thrush should not be diagnosed if:

You have pain in only one breast/nipple (thrush spreads quickly from one breast to the other)

You have never had pain free breastfeeding

If your nipples are shaped oddly after breastfeeds

If your nipple is white at the tip after breastfeeds

If the pain is different at different times of the day

If your baby has a tongue tie which you are waiting to have snipped.

Thrush in the first few weeks of feeding is rare unless the mother had vaginal thrush at delivery or had deep breast thrush at the end of a previous lactation. Less than perfect positioning and attachment with consequent damage are more likely to cause the pain at this stage.

Signs of thrush in your baby

Creamy white patches in your baby's mouth, on the tongue and may be far back or in the cheeks. Patches do not rub off.

Baby's tongue/lips may have a white gloss

It should be confirmed by a swab of the baby's mouth.

If you think you have thrush:

Before treating either you or your baby you should ask the person supporting you with breastfeeding to watch a full breastfeed from the moment the baby goes to the breast to the moment he/she comes away from the breast at the end of the feed. They need to look at your nipples at the end of the feed to look for change in colour and shape

If your baby has a white tongue but you are not experiencing pain, be aware of the risk of thrush but do not treat either of you immediately. Some babies have white tongues in the first few weeks after birth or this may be associated with tongue tie where the milk is not thrown to the back of the mouth.

Diagnosis should be confirmed by nipple swabs cultured for fungal and bacterial infection.

Breastfeeding should be pain free from the point of attachment (the moment the baby goes to the breast) onwards. Pain from thrush begins after a feed. There should be no change in the shape or colour of the nipple after a feed. Even good attachment can often be improved and help to relieve symptoms of pain. Be aware of the other causes of nipple and breast pain described on this page, and exclude them first.

Self-help measures

Thrush can be passed between you and your baby - and also between you, your partner and other children

Anecdotally, some mothers find acidophilus capsules can help to restore bacteria which can keep thrush under control (available from health food stores or chemists)

It is necessary to be very careful with hygiene in order to get rid of thrush completely - be sure to wash your hands well after each nappy change

Use a separate towel for each person in the family

Anecdotally, some mothers find reducing the level of sugar and yeast in their diet helps

If a thrush infection is confirmed, to make sure that you get rid of it, both you and your baby need treatment, prescribed by a doctor. Usually, once treatment begins the pain and other symptoms will begin to improve within 2 or 3 days. It may take longer for full recovery.

If there is no improvement at all after 7 days, consult your breastfeeding helper again as the cause of the pain may not be thrush.

Treatment

Ongoing attention to positioning and attachment is important because even the best latch can slip a little sometimes.

Miconazole cream applied to your nipples after every feed - sparingly and without washing off before the next feed

Miconazole oral gel applied gently to your baby's mouth 4 times a day a small amount at a time

If symptoms persist you may need fluconazole 150-400mg as a loading dose followed by 100-200mg daily for at least ten days. This is rarely necessary if your baby is less than 6 weeks old and could cause vomiting and stomach pains.

For more information, see our detailed factsheet on thrush and our factsheet on miconazole oral gel and the breastfed baby with oral thrush.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pain: if breastfeeding hurts - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Pain in your nipples or breasts whilst breastfeeding is most often linked to how you are holding your baby and bringing them to your breast (often referred to as positioning and attachment). Before considering any alternative reasons for experiencing pain whilst breastfeeding please use our guide to positioning and attachment to rule this out as [...]

# data[].attributes.headline
Building a happy baby: guide for parents

# data[].attributes.subject
Building a happy baby: guide for parents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mothers are sometimes told they need to interrupt breastfeeding in order to have certain medical tests, however many medical tests

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This information can also be viewed as a pdf by clicking here.
The information provided is taken from various reference sources. It is provided as a guideline. No responsibility can be taken by the author or the Breastfeeding Network for the way in which the information is used. Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of medical and breastfeeding practitioners. The data presented here is intended to provide some immediate information but cannot replace input from professionals.

Mothers can have general anaesthetic and breastfeed as normal as soon as they are awake and alert following surgery. Care should be taken with co-sleeping that evening.

For information on the use of Local anaesthetics whilst breastfeeding please see https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/local-anaesthetics/

For information on the use of Local anaesthetics during dental procedures whilst breastfeeding please see https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dental-treatment/

Some women need to have operations under general anaesthetic whilst they are breastfeeding. Some healthcare professionals and mothers are concerned about the safety of the baby who may be exposed to anaesthetic agents via their mother's breastmilk. This adds to the stress of many mothers undergoing procedures - minor or major. The risks of mastitis in the mother should not be ignored if she is told to pump. There is no evidence of the need to dump any milk expressed following anaesthesia.

Mothers who undergo caesarean sections under general anaesthetic (usually as an emergency procedure) are encouraged to breastfeed as soon as possible after delivery. In some cases babies are helped to latch whilst the mother is still in the recovery room and drowsy. Anecdotally many mothers are advised to pump and dump their breastmilk for 24-48 hours after anaesthetic even for a short operation in order to clear the body of the drugs rather than simply to maintain supply. This is not necessary.

General anaesthetics have very short half-lives and are redistributed in the body within minutes which is why they have to be infused continuously during operations. Some is stored within the fat cells of the body and gradually released over the following 24-48 hours but the level of drug released from a short procedure is unlikely to cause any greater effect than drowsiness in the baby.

In most cases of minor surgery the mother is wide awake within minutes of the end of the operation. Even with major surgery recovery from the anaesthetic is short although drowsiness may then result from opiate pain killers injected in theatre. Once a mother is awake enough to recognise that she has a baby who needs to be breastfed the level of anaesthetic in her blood is likely to be small.

Consideration does however need to be given to;

Who will look after the baby whilst mum is in surgery?

If the mother is to remain in hospital overnight are there facilities for the baby to remain with her?

If so is she happy for the baby to be there?

Is there someone who is available to look after the baby but bring it to mum when a feed is needed?

If the baby is not to stay with the mother does she have access to a breast pump and somewhere to store the milk safely for it to be given to the baby later?

Is she able to express milk for the baby? We need to avoid the risk of mastitis if mother and baby are separated.

Is it possible to delay the operation until after weaning? This may not be an option nor should a mother be pressurised into weaning in order to have an operation. Breastfeeding and anaesthetic are not normally mutually exclusive.

Mitchell J, Jones W, Winkley E, Kinsella. S.M Guideline on anaesthesia and sedation in breastfeeding women 2020. Guideline from the Association of Anaesthetists. First published: 01 August 2020 https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15179

Spigset O. Anaesthetic agents and excretion in breast milk. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 1994 Feb;38(2):94-103

Nitsun M, Szokol JW, Saleh HJ, Murphy GS, Vender JS, Luong L, Raikoff K, Avram MJ. Pharmacokinetics of midazolam, propofol, and fentanyl transfer to human breast milk. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2006 Jun; 79(6):549-57.

Schneider P, Reinhold P. Anesthesia in breast feeding. Which restrictions are justified? Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther 2000 Jun;35(6):356-74.

Hale T.W Anaesthetic Medications in Breastfeeding Mothers.

ilca.org/education/Anesthetic%20Meds.pdf

Jones W Breastfeeding and Medication 2nd Ed Routledge 2018

© Wendy Jones PhD, MRPharmS and the Breastfeeding Network March 2022

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Anaesthetics and Breastfeeding - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This information can also be viewed as a pdf by clicking here. The information provided is taken from various reference sources. It is provided as a guideline. No responsibility can be taken by the author or the Breastfeeding Network for the way in which the information is used.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The LactMed® database contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed. It includes information on the levels of such substances in breast milk and infant blood, and the possible adverse effects in the nursing infant. Suggested therapeutic alternatives to those drugs are provided, where appropriate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Drugs in Breastmilk factsheets - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These factsheets have been compiled by our Drugs in Breastmilk information service team of pharmacists. If you are unable to find the information you are looking for below, or you still have questions, you can contact the team by sending a private message via our Facebook page or via email. Please provide as much information as possible (age […]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. However, we know that many parents find themselves co-sleeping whether they mean to or not. Wherever you're planning for your baby to sleep we recommend making your bed a safer place for baby. Our advice on co-sleeping with your baby will tell you how.

When not to co-sleep

Whether you choose to co-sleep or it is unplanned, there are some key risks you should avoid.
Co-sleeping with your baby is very dangerous if:
In these scenarios, it is always best to put baby in their own safe sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. Keeping the cot or Moses basket next to your bed might make this easier.
Never fall asleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby. The risk of SIDS is 50 times higher for babies when they sleep on a sofa or armchair with an adult. They are also at risk of accidental death as they can easily slip into a position where they are trapped and can't breathe.
Co-sleeping more safely

Keep pillows and adult bedding away from your baby or any other items that could cover their head or cause them to overheat. A high proportion of babies who die as a result of SIDS are found with their head covered by loose bedding.

Follow all The Lullaby Trust's other safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of SIDS such as sleeping baby on their back

To reduce the risk of accidents, do not bring other children or pets into bed with you.

Try to make sure or check that baby cannot be trapped, wedged or fall out of bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall

Never leave your baby unattended in an adult bed

For more info on co-sleeping and safer sleep read our guide for parents
If you are bedsharing with your baby you should consider any risks before every sleep. It is easy for your situation to change if you are unwell or have drunk any alcohol, which means your baby will be safest in a separate sleep space such as a cot or Moses basket on that occasion.

Co-sleeping with your baby: FAQs

I am worried I might fall asleep while I breastfeed my baby at night, is this ok?

Click here to open this question

Breastfeeding reduces the chance of SIDS. If you feel you might fall asleep we would recommend you prepare the bed as described above so it is safer for baby if this happens.

Make sure you know the advice on when never to co-sleep so you know when to take particular care. It is really important that you do not accidentally fall asleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair. If you think you might fall asleep on a sofa or armchair, put the baby down in a safe place to sleep.

Should I co-sleep with my baby?

Click here to open this question

The safest place for a baby is their own separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. We would just advise you to read all the information on co-sleeping and how to reduce the risks, so you can make an informed decision for you and your baby.

However, there are some circumstances where we would strongly recommend against co-sleeping such as on a sofa or armchair, if anyone in the bed smokes or has drunk alcohol or your baby was premature or a low birth weight.

Can I co-sleep with twins or multiples?

Click here to open this question

If you choose to bedshare with twins or multiples we would advise not to bedshare with more than one baby at a time due to risk of accidents associated with bedsharing with more than one baby or child.

Is it safer to co-sleep using a nest or pod than with a baby just lying on the adult bed?

Click here to open this question

No. We do not recommend that babies sleep on soft surfaces such as pods or nests. If you choose to co-sleep with your baby the safest place is a clear space on a firm flat mattress the same as we would advise with a cot.

Why do you advise against co-sleeping in certain scenarios?

Click here to open this question

It is estimated that around half of SIDS deaths occur whilst co-sleeping, and that most of these are in high risk situations. We do not know the cause of SIDS and why these deaths happen but we do know what some of the risk factors are and that removing those risks greatly lowers the chance of SIDS occurring.

For that reason we strongly advise against co-sleeping when there are risk factors such as a baby being premature or a parent having drunk alcohol.

What bedding should I use for my baby when we co-sleep?
The Lullaby Trust has worked with Public Heath England, Unicef UK Baby Friendly and Basis on two publications to support families with safer sleep advice and advice on co-sleeping more safely. We have also collaborated on a guide for health professionals to have more open and productive discussions with families about safer sleep and co-sleeping. These can be downloaded below.

Click here to open this question

Adult bedding should be kept well away from your baby along with any belts or cords from clothing. Keep adult bedding at your waist height and add an extra layer of clothing if you are cold

A baby sleeping bag is a good way of giving your baby their own bedding when bedsharing.

Baby sleeping bags should be well fitted, so the baby can't wriggle down inside. Most sleeping bags are fitted according to a baby's weight, rather than age.

You might also be interested in reading the two Unicef Baby Friendly publications, which are both endorsed by The Lullaby Trust:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Some parents choose to share a bed (known as co-sleeping) with their babies. Read our advice on how to co-sleep more safely.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here at Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK we will answer all of these questions and more. We will try to put your mind at rest whilst being honest about journey on which you are about to embark. Breastfeeding more than one baby is challenging, but it is definitely possible and a lot of mums go on to have a really enjoyable experience.

# data[].attributes.headline
Skin-to-skin contact - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.subject
Skin-to-skin contact - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skin-to-skin means holding your baby whilst they are naked or wearing just a nappy, so that their skin is in contact with the bare skin of your chest and tummy. Usually the mother does this, although other parents and caregivers can do it too. Skin-to-skin has lots of benefits for both you and your baby. It calms your baby and helps them maintain their body temperature and heart rate. It also helps you build your milk supply and helps breastfeeding get off to a good start by giving your baby easy access to the breast in those early days.

UNICEF recommends that:

all mothers have skin-to-skin contact with their baby after birth, at least until after the first feed and for as long as they wish

all mothers are encouraged to offer the first feed in skin contact when the baby shows signs of readiness to feed

mothers and babies who are unable to have skin contact immediately after birth are encouraged to commence skin contact as soon as they are able, whenever or wherever that may be

If you are having any issues with feeding, soon after birth or even in the first few weeks and beyond, spending time skin-to-skin with your baby can make a real difference. Sometimes feeding can become stressful. Going back to spending time being together cuddling in skin-to-skin contact without pressure to feed can help to relax both you and your baby and make feeding easier. Even if it doesn't help with feeding, skin-to-skin cuddles can help you and your baby to bond.

You can visit the UNICEF website for more information on skin-to-skin.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Skin-to-skin - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skin-to-skin means holding your baby whilst they are naked or wearing just a nappy, so that their skin is in contact with the bare skin of your chest and tummy. Usually the mother does this, although other parents and caregivers can do it too. Skin-to-skin has lots of benefits for both you and your baby.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Skin-to-skin contact - Baby Friendly Initiative

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skin-to-skin contact is important for babies and mothers to develop close, loving parent-infant relationships and to initiate breastfeeding.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's never too early to start thinking about how you're going to feed your baby. But you do not have to make up your mind until your baby is born.
Some of the benefits of breastfeeding are:

your breast milk meets all of your baby's nutritional needs

breast milk protects your baby from infections and diseases

breastfeeding provides health benefits for you

breast milk is available for your baby whenever your baby needs it

breastfeeding can build a strong emotional bond between you and your baby

Formula milk does not provide the same protection from illness and does not give you any health benefits.

Health benefits of breastfeeding for your baby

Breastfeeding has long-term benefits for your baby, lasting right into adulthood.

Any amount of breast milk has a positive effect. The longer you breastfeed, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits.

Breastfeeding can help to reduce your baby's risk of:

Giving nothing but breast milk is recommended for about the first 6 months (26 weeks) of your baby's life.

After that, giving your baby breast milk alongside solid foods for as long as you and your baby want will help them grow and develop healthily.

Breast milk adapts as your baby grows to meet your baby's changing needs.

Health benefits of breastfeeding for you

Breastfeeding and making breast milk also has health benefits for you. The more you breastfeed, the greater the benefits.

Breastfeeding lowers your risk of:

Got a breastfeeding question?

Sign in to Facebook and message the Start4Life Breastfeeding Friend chatbot for fast, friendly, trusted NHS advice anytime, day or night.

Get Better Health: Start for Life

Sign up for Start for Life weekly emails for expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Breastfeeding has lots of health benefits for your new baby, including fewer infections and a lower risk of obesity, as well as protecting you from some cancers and other health problems, too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Our work to support breastfeeding is based on extensive and resounding evidence that breastfeeding saves lives, improves health and cuts costs in every country worldwide.

Infant health: Breastfeeding protects children from a vast range of illnesses, including infection, diabetes, asthma, heart disease and obesity, as well as cot death (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Maternal health: Breastfeeding also protects mothers from breast and ovarian cancers and heart disease

Relationship-building: Breastfeeding supports the mother-baby relationship and the mental health of both baby and mother

Worldwide benefits: The benefits are seen in both high- and low-income countries, with a study published in The Lancet in 2016 finding that increasing breastfeeding rates around the world to near universal levels could prevent 823,000 annual deaths in children younger than five years and 20,000 annual maternal deaths from breast cancer

Cost savings: Breastfeeding contributes to significant savings to the NHS, with initial investments paying off within just a few years. A NICE costing report estimates that Baby Friendly accreditation will start to save a facility money after three years, owing to a reduction in the incidence of certain childhood illnesses. Baby Friendly's report Preventing disease and saving resources found that moderate increases in breastfeeding would translate into cost savings for the NHS of many millions of pounds, and tens of thousands of fewer hospital admissions and GP consultations. In addition, Baby Friendly's staged approach to assessment and accreditation allows facilities to spread costs and enables better financial planning.

Key sources of breastfeeding research

Lancet breastfeeding series: Confirms the benefits of breastfeeding for children and mothers, regardless of whether they live in high- or low-income nations, and that countries are not doing enough to support breastfeeding

Acta Paediatrica special issue on breastfeeding: Finds that the health benefits of breastfeeding are substantial, lasting well beyond the period of breastfeeding and affecting high- and low-income populations alike, whilst also demonstrating that the Baby Friendly Initiative is highly effective in improving breastfeeding rates

Evidence and rationale for the Baby Friendly standards

Preventing disease and saving resources: Looks at the potential health and cost contributions of increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK.

Find our more in our research section.

Breastfeeding is a natural 'safety net' against the worst effects of poverty ... Exclusive breastfeeding goes a long way toward cancelling out the health difference between being born into poverty and being born into affluence ... It is almost as if breastfeeding takes the infant out of poverty for those first few months in order to give the child a fairer start in life and compensate for the injustice of the world into which it was born.

James P. Grant, Executive Director of UNICEF (1980-1995)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The benefits of breastfeeding - Baby Friendly Initiative

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn more about Baby Friendly's work to support breastfeeding in order to save lives, improve health and cut costs worldwide.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many mothers of twins or more breastfeed their babies successfully and we're here to support you.

Multiples are more likely to be born early and we know that very small or premature babies can find it difficult to breastfeed at the beginning. If you are unable to feed your babies straight away it doesn't mean that you won't be able to breastfeed.

Spending time with your babies, giving them skin-to-skin time with you or your partner and expressing breastmilk regularly, can all help babies to get going with breastfeeding. Talk to the hospital staff and your midwife about how they can support you to feed your babies in the way you want to.

To help you prepare for breastfeeding Twins Trust suggest that you:

Personal stories

Our work with peer-to-peer breastfeeding supporters has been made possible thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many mothers breastfeed their twins, triplets or more. Twins Trust is here to support you with whichever feeding choice is best for your family.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
One gift, twice the impact

From now until midday on Tuesday 5th December, donations to The Lullaby Trust made via the Big Give will be DOUBLED at no extra cost to you. Please donate today if you can. One gift will make twice the difference to babies living in crisis situations.

We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience. If you continue, we will assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website. Accept

How to reduce the risk of SIDS

Our safer sleep advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time.

Our advice is based on strong scientific evidence and should be followed for all sleep periods, not just at night.

If you have any questions about SIDS or safer sleep, please call our information line on 0808 802 6869 (lines open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm).

Watch our free presentations on how to sleep your baby safely and reduce the risk of SIDS

Things you can do

Always place your baby on their back to sleep

Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth

Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months

Breastfeed your baby

Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

Things to avoid

Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby

Don't sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight

Avoid letting your baby get too hot

Don't cover your baby's face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for your baby by following our safer sleep advice. The advice is based on strong scientific evidence.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Express Breastmilk – Breastfeeding Series

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Expressing and storing breastmilk - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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 […]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Hand expression

# data[].attributes.body
For families under the care of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Basingstoke North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital and Andover War Memorial Hospital)

Monday - Friday

E - infantfeedingteam@hhft.nhs.uk

# data[].attributes.body
Scroll right to see all the topics

Please scroll down each topic to find additional links and resources

Click on the website link or photograph to open the web page/document

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Importance of relationship building

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
1. Cradle hold

This is the probably the most popular breastfeeding position.

However, if you've had a caesarean, it may be uncomfortable because your baby lies across your tummy near the scar (try lying on your side or the rugby hold instead).

For the cradle hold, sit in a comfy chair with arm rests, or a bed with cushions or pillows around you.

1. Lie your baby across your lap, facing you.

2. Place your baby's head on your forearm - nose towards your nipple. Your hand should support the length of their body.

3. Place your baby's lower arm under yours.

4. Check to make sure your baby's ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line.

Cradle hold tip

If you're sitting on a chair, rest your feet on a stool or small table - this will stop you from leaning forward which can make your back ache.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Breastfeeding positions - Start for Life

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out about the different ways you can breastfeed with our step-by-step guide to breastfeeding positions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
5 ways to make feeding comfortable for you and your baby

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Alton and Bordon | Local activities & meet-ups | NCT

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NCT Alton and Bordon welcomes every new parent. Our local groups, activities and events are run by volunteers. We help forge friendships and raise money for all of NCT’s work, locally and nationally.

# data[].attributes.body
Mon 10-12 - Chandlers Ford Library

Fri 14:30-16:00 - Ramalley Scout Hut, Chandlers Ford

# data[].attributes.body
Wed 09:30-12:00 - Lanterns Nursery School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As well as the National Support Line (0300 330 0770), our local breastfeeding counsellors are available for support and advice. All have breastfed their own babies and are trained to help mothers establish and continue breastfeeding. They are flexible in their attitude to infant feeding, and are positive and supportive of the feeding choices a mother may make.

Breastfeeding support

Breastfeeding support is available in Winchester via local breastfeeding counsellors at BABIES on Wednesday mornings at Lanterns Nursery School, as well as via e-mail at bfcounsellors.winchester@nct.org.uk . Much of this work is carried out by us in a voluntary capacity in our own time and there is no charge to you.

The counsellors can be seen at:

Wednesday mornings, from 9.30am until midday at Lanterns Nursery School, Bereweeke Road, Winchester. You don't need to book an appointment - just drop in.

Local Breastfeeding Counsellors are available via email on: bfcounsellors.winchester@nct.org.uk
If you would like to support Winchester B.A.B.I.E.S then you can donate directly via our Just Giving page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Winchester Breastfeeding Support | Winchester & District | NCT

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As well as the National Support Line (0300 330 0770), our local breastfeeding counsellors are available for support and advice. All have breastfed their own babies and are trained to help mothers establish and continue breastfeeding. They are flexible in their attitude to infant feeding, and are positive and supportive of the feeding choices a mother may make.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hampshire Breastfeeding Counselling. 3,114 次赞 · 17 人在谈论. We provide FREE breastfeeding support currently by Zoom for Hampshire women (some face to face appts in Winchester), antenatal education...

# data[].attributes.body
Health visitor team run infant feeding support clinics. Please click the link for locations across Hampshire and details of how to book.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Breastfeeding Support : Hampshire Healthy Families

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Barnardos are working together to deliver the Healthy Child Programme throughout Hampshire. This website provides details for access to health visiting and school nursing services, workshops for healthy eating and support with post-natal depression.

# data[].attributes.body
Evidence based information regarding infant formula

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Infant Milks - First Steps Nutrition Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whether you're a health worker or a parent or carer, First Steps Nutrition Trust focuses on providing clear advice and information around the safe use of infant milks in the UK.

# data[].attributes.body
Face to face antenatal infant feeding workshop usually run on the 1st Tuesday (RHCH) and 2nd Tuesday (BNHH) of each month from 17:30-19:30. Please book a free place via Eventbrite

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Antenatal infant feeding workshop run by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

# data[].attributes.body
1:1 clinics run by the HHFT infant feeding team (suitable for babies up to 6 weeks old). Please book an appointment via the QR code.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Infant feeding support clinics updated 2025

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You can tell if your baby is getting enough milk by looking at how much they are weeing and pooing, and whether they are gaining weight. If they are producing the expected amount of wee and poo, and their weight is increasing and approximately following their centile line on their growth chart, then they are getting enough milk. You cannot tell how much milk you are producing from how full/empty your breasts feel, or how long your baby feeds for.

Sometimes breastfeeding mothers worry that they are not producing enough milk for their baby. However, most mothers ARE able to produce enough milk, and if your milk supply does drop, you can usually increase it again with some simple measures, including adjusting your positioning and attachment and feeding your baby frequently and responsively.

If you are concerned that your baby is not getting enough milk, speak to your breastfeeding supporter, midwife, health visitor or GP.  This article on low milk supply (and why many mothers may worry that their supply is low when it actually isn't) may also be helpful: Low milk supply 101 - Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

Some suggestions to increase the amount of milk your baby is getting:

In the first weeks we now think that babies become sleepy when the flow of milk slows, not because they are full.

The following points should help you baby get more milk at each feed:

Aim for the best attachment possible. Even good attachment can be better. You can read more on our "how to breastfeed" page.

Learn how to see milk being transferred: open mouth wide->pause->close mouth: the longer the pause the greater the amount of milk your baby is drinking

Offer both breasts at each feed. Your baby may need a pause between breasts

Ask your health visitor, midwife or a breastfeeding supporter (at a group or on the National Breastfeeding Helpline) about how to recognise early feeding cues. It is easier to attach a baby before they are really hungry. You can read more about early cues and responsive breastfeeding here.

Feeding in response to early cues may mean it is possible to fit in an extra feed within 24 hours

Ask a health professional or a breastfeeding supporter to show you how breast compression works. It can be a good way to give your baby some extra milk at a feed.

Breast compressions

Breast compression is a simple method to try and get your baby to take more milk during a feed. It is done whilst the baby is attached to the breast. You can gently squeeze the breast using a c shaped hand held away from the nipple. You should gently compress the breast and then hold, until you see your baby start to suck and swallow more rapidly and then slow again. Once the swallowing slows you can release the breast and then do another compression, maybe in a slightly different position on your breast. You can keep doing this as long as it seems to have an impact on how much milk your baby is taking (e.g. sucking/swallowing increases).

Take a look here for video explanation of breast compression.

If breast compression helps, the amount of wee or poo your baby is doing may increase. If there is no change, ask for a breastfeeding supporter or health professional to check for other factors which might make feeding more difficult.

Very occasionally, medications such as decongestants or contraceptives may affect your milk supply. You can read our factsheets to find out more or contact our Drugs in Breastmilk service to discuss this.

For more information on how to tell if feeding is going well, you can have a look at Off to the Best Start.

Common causes of low milk supply/your baby not getting enough milk:

Positioning and Attachment: How your baby attaches to your breast, including how you hold them, is often called 'positioning and attachment'. If your baby is not effectively attached at your breast, it will be harder for them to remove milk efficiently. This may mean that they are getting less milk than they need. If this continues, your milk supply may drop as milk production works on a supply and demand basis. Working on your positioning and attachment will mean your baby is able to drink more milk more efficiently, and as they take more milk from your breasts, your body will respond to the increased demand by increasing your supply.  Even if some of the other causes here are relevant for you and your baby, improving how your baby comes to the breast will improve milk transfer. Read more on our page on how to breastfeed.

Spacing out feeds or feeding to a schedule: If you attempt to space feeds out, wait for your breasts to "fill up" or to feed to a schedule, rather than feeding responsively, your breasts may become over-full in between feeds. When your breasts become full, a hormone called feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL) tells your body to stop making milk. This in turn can cause your milk supply to drop. Breastfeeding responsively, including putting your baby to your breast any time your breasts start to feel full, is the best way to establish and maintain your milk supply, and to ensure your baby gets enough milk. Your breasts are never completely drained, they are always making more milk, so you can offer them for a feed even if they feel empty. This will help increase your milk supply.

Using a dummy or pacifier: A dummy or pacifier can mask early feeding cues, meaning you don't feed your baby as soon as they start to feel hungry, and feeds may become more spaced out. This could lead to your baby taking less milk overall, and your breasts becoming over-full in between feeds, causing your milk supply to drop. Breastfeeding parents who wish to use a dummy could consider waiting until breastfeeding is well established before introducing it.

You can find more information on using a dummy from NHS start4life and The Lullaby Trust.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Low milk supply and helping your baby gain weight - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You can tell if your baby is getting enough milk by looking at how much they are weeing and pooing, and whether they are gaining weight. If they are producing the expected amount of wee and poo, and their weight is increasing and approximately following their centile line on their growth chart, then they are [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Attaching Your Baby at the Breast – Breastfeeding Series

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In this video, a breastfeeding counsellor helps a mother with her positioning and attachment whilst breastfeeding.

Key to achieving the Baby Friendly standards is a workforce able to support mothers to breastfeed effectively. This video provides some guidance on this.

You can see more of the 'From Bump to Breastfeeding' DVD on the Best Beginnings website.

Video not working? Contact us

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Positioning and attachment video - Baby Friendly Initiativ

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this video, a breastfeeding counsellor helps a mother with her positioning and attachment whilst breastfeeding. Watch to learn more.

# data[].attributes.headline
Responsive bottle feeding and what infant formula to choose?

# data[].attributes.subject
Responsive bottle feeding and what infant formula to choose?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Good hygiene is very important when making up a formula feed.
Your baby's immune system is not as strong as an adult's. That's why bottles, teats and any other feeding equipment need to be washed and sterilised before each feed.

This will reduce the chance of your baby getting an infection, in particular diarrhoea and vomiting.
Find out more about sterilising baby bottles

Product recall: Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac powdered formula

Some batches of Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac powdered formula, made by Abbott, have been recalled as a precaution because they may contain bacteria. If you have bought or been prescribed either of these types of formula, return them to where you got them from and do not give them to a baby.
Find out more from the Food Standards Agency

Step-by-step guide to preparing a formula feed

Step 1: Fill the kettle with at least 1 litre of fresh tap water (do not use water that has been boiled before).

Step 2: Boil the water. Then leave the water to cool for no more than 30 minutes, so that it remains at a temperature of at least 70C.

Step 3: Clean and disinfect the surface you are going to use.

Step 4: It's important that you wash your hands.

Step 5: If you are using a cold-water steriliser, shake off any excess solution from the bottle and the teat, or rinse them with cooled boiled water from the kettle (not tap water).

Step 6: Stand the bottle on the cleaned, disinfected surface.

Step 7: Follow the manufacturer's instructions and pour the amount of water you need into the bottle. Double check that the water level is correct. Always put the water in the bottle first, while it is still hot, before adding the powdered formula.

Step 8: Loosely fill the scoop with formula powder, according to the manufacturer's instructions, then level it using either the flat edge of a clean, dry knife or the leveller provided. Different formulas come with different scoops. Make sure you only use the scoop that comes with the formula.

Step 9: Holding the edge of the teat, put it into the retaining ring, check it is secure, then screw the ring tightly onto the bottle. Make sure the ring is attached firmly.

Step 10: Cover the teat with the cap and shake the bottle until the powder is dissolved.

Step 11: It's important to cool the formula so it's not too hot to drink. Do this by holding the bottle (with the lid on) under cold running water.

Step 12: Test the temperature of the formula on the inside of your wrist before giving it to your baby. It should be body temperature, which means it should feel warm or cool, but not hot.

Step 13: If there is any made-up formula left in the bottle after a feed, throw it away.

Dos and don'ts of making up formula feeds

Do follow the manufacturer's instructions very carefully, as they vary as to how much water and powder to use.

Do not add extra formula powder when making up a feed. This can make your baby constipated or dehydrated.

Do not add extra water when making up a feed. Too little powder may not give your baby enough nourishment.

Do not add sugar or cereals to your baby's formula.

Never warm up formula in a microwave, as it may heat the feed unevenly and burn your baby's mouth.

Reducing the risk of infection

Even when tins and packets of powdered infant formula are sealed, they can sometimes contain bacteria.

Bacteria multiply very fast at room temperature. Even when a feed is kept in a fridge, bacteria can still survive and multiply, although more slowly.

To reduce the risk of infection, it's best to make up feeds 1 at a time, as your baby needs them.

Use freshly boiled drinking water from the tap to make up a feed. Do not use artificially softened water or water that has been boiled before.

Leave the water to cool in the kettle for no more than 30 minutes. Then it will stay at a temperature of at least 70C. Water at this temperature will kill any harmful bacteria.

Remember to let the feed cool before you give it to your baby. Or you can hold the bottle (with the lid on) under cold water from the tap.

Do not use bottled water to make up formula feeds

Bottled water is not recommended for making up feeds, as it's not sterile and may contain too much salt (sodium) or sulphate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How to make up formula milk feeds for your baby correctly and safely.