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Hand expressing is an extremely useful skill. It is the best way to express and collect colostrum in pregnancy and the early days and can be used to ease engorgement and treat blocked ducts.

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This video guides mothers on how to hand express and talks about the times when hand expression might be useful.

See the Breastfeeding Network website for FAQs and a leaflet all about expressing and storing breastmilk.

Problems viewing this video? Contact us.

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Hand expression video - Baby Friendly Initiative

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This video guides you through how to hand express, and talks about the times when hand expression might be useful for you.

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Our team of breast feeding peer support volunteers the ‘Koala Bosom Buddy’s' provide skilled breastfeeding help, information and listening support. They are able discuss practical issues such as effective position and attachment, hand expressing and responsive feeding to support mums and their families to continue to breastfeed successfully. To access this peer support you can drop in at one of their breastfeeding support groups (see above) or join their Facebook group:

www.facebook.com/groups/bosombuddieschester/

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Here are some resources to help get breastfeeding off to the best start.

Getting baby positioned and attached to the breast correctly, and ensuring baby is feeding actively and responsively is crucial to effective breastfeeding.

When breastfeeding your baby you should feed responsively, offering the breast when baby shows feeding cues. Babies typically feed 8-12 times a day for varying lengths of time (5-40mins). They should feed actively, and you should be able to see or hear swallowing. They should be content when at the breast and following feeds, and by day 5 have 5-6 heavy wet nappies and at least 1-2 yellow poos daily. Feeding should be comfortable for you. It is normal for breastfed babies to feed more at night or have periods of cluster feeding.

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How to Express Breastmilk – Breastfeeding Series

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Here are some extra resources for when breastfeeding may be a bit more challenging.

If you are experiencing breastfeeding challenges always seek support from you midwife, health visitor, or the infant feeding team.

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Why express breast milk?

There are various reasons why you may want to express milk, for example:

if your baby is premature or has problems after birth - you may not be able to breastfeed, but they can still have your expressed breast milk

you're returning to work or study

your breasts feel uncomfortably full

your baby isn't able to latch on or suck well

you want to boost your milk supply

when you start introducing solids, you may want to include some breast milk

If you do not need to express your milk straight away, it's best to wait until you and your baby feel happy and confident with breastfeeding before you start expressing milk regularly.

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Expressing your breast milk - Start for Life

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There may be times when you need to express your breast milk. Have a look through our guide to expressing breast milk and bottle feeding.

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What To Do About Nipple Pain – Breastfeeding Series

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Breastfeeding Support Groups - Koala North West - there for you.

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Koala Bosom Buddies offers essential breastfeeding support and guidance for new parents in Cheshire West to help them navigate their journey.

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Video by Chelsea & Westminster hospital

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The Infant feeding Team provide a breast pump hire service to women requiring feeding support. The pumps are free of charge but limited to a 1 month hire period. The pumps that are provided are Ardo Calypso Pro double electric pumps, and these come with 2 x sterilized expressing kits (different funnel sizes are available).

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What To Do About Breast Pain – Breastfeeding Series

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Breastfeeding in the first hours after birth

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Breastfeeding in the first hours after birth

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Tongue tie is when the band of skin that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight and causes restriction in the movement and function of the tongue. This can affect how a baby feeds. If you suspect your baby has a tongue tie, speak to a healthcare professional.

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It is normal for babies to want to breastfeed often. This simple video discusses what is normal and what to expect.

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College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University

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How can you support a breastfeeding mum?

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How can you support a breastfeeding mum?

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School of Health & Social Care, Swansea University

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How you can Help Support a Breastfeeding Mum...

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Breastfeeding is more than milk!

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Expecting a baby? – Find out how your milk making Superpower works! Check out our fab new video explaining all about how lactation works.

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What your partner should know about breastfeeding

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What your partner should know about breastfeeding

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If you've decided to bottle feed, you may be worried about what formula to buy, what equipment you'll need and how to get the hang of feeding your baby when everything is so new.

We're here to provide lots of helpful information and advice on bottle feeding. If you have any worries or concerns, the best thing to do is speak to your midwife or health visitor.

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From making formula feeds to how to bottle feed your baby, we have lots of useful advice and tips.

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Guide to bottle feeding leaflet - Baby Friendly Initiative

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This leaflet provides families and health professionals with key information about bottle feeding and how to make up feeds safely.

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Here is a link to COCH breastfeeding leaflet

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The principles of positioning and attaching your baby to the breast.

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Baby friendly Initiative  - Positioning and attachment

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Baby friendly Initiative  - Positioning and attachment

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Positioning and attachment video from the baby friendly initiative.

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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

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Positioning and attachment video - Baby Friendly Initiativ

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In this video, a breastfeeding counsellor helps a mother with her positioning and attachment whilst breastfeeding. Watch to learn more.

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Positions for Breastfeeding - Breastfeeding Series

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Attaching Your Baby at the Breast – Breastfeeding Series

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How do I know if my baby is getting enough

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How do I know if my baby is getting enough

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How can I tell my baby is getting enough milk?

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Is Your Baby Getting Enough Milk – Breastfeeding Series

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Breastmilk and breastfeeding - A simple guide

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Breastmilk and breastfeeding - A simple guide

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Breastfeeding guide from first steps nutrition.

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NCT Breastfeeding Line 0300 330 0700 (8am - midnight, 7 days a week) https://www.nct.org.uk/about-us/contact-us

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers 08444 122 949 (9.30am - 10.30pm, every day) http://abm.me.uk/

National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 http://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/

La Leche League 0845 120 2918 https://www.laleche.org.uk/

Please remember that most of the supporters answering helpline calls are mums in their own homes. Please try to be considerate about when you call, and do leave a message if there is an answering machine. Mums with young families will often let you leave a message so that they can call you back when they are more able to give you time to talk and offer the best support. Many of the organisations above have extensive help available on their websites, and many also offer email support for less urgent issues.

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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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NCT - How can dads and partners support breastfeeding?   

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NCT - How can dads and partners 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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This information and videos are available in verified by experts in our Editorial Board including representatives from Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Royal College of Psychiatrists as well as other key health organisations in the UK. To download Baby Buddy, visit the relevant app store of your choice:

Meet four prospective mums, Melissa, Maria, Teresa and Angela. Melissa has never been through labour - she had a caesarian-section with her previous child. For medical reasons Maria has to have a c-section; Teresa wants to give birth at home; and Angela is expecting her third child. We follow them as they prepare for their births.

All our mums have different birth experiences. Find out why skin-to-skin contact is so important and about breastfeeding for the first time. "It's a great feeling to be able to provide for him without anything else, just me myself," Angela says. Melissa's partner Andy says breastfeeding is healthy, cheaper and much less effort than making up bottles.

Angela is back home with baby Cameron and breastfeeding is going well. "It's a great feeling to be able to sit there and watch him feeding away. It's a really special bond," she says. Teresa is making sure she has plenty of contact with Rufus, ensuring her body is supplying enough milk for him. Breastfeeding can protect you against ovarian cancer and give you stronger bones in later life.

How to make sure your baby is attaching well at the breast.

Meet four mums whose babies have been breastfeeding for a little while and hear their experiences. Linda was troubled by breastfeeding outside the home - until she tried it. "I thought, 'nobody breastfeeds in public,'" she says. "What I realised is, loads of women breastfeed in public, you just don't realise it's happening."

Find out about overcoming challenges like uncomfortably full breasts and mastitis, and how to position your baby so he or she feeds properly.

Linda and Heidi have fed their babies breast milk for six months. Now their babies are ready to try their first solids.

Join a class with specialist midwife Bella Dale, who explains how breastfeeding works and how mums' bodies start preparing to feed their babies before birth.

Three mums tell us how they overcame hurdles with breastfeeding. Thomasina overcame sore nipples, while Lowri encountered mastitis, both of which were caused because their babies weren't attaching properly at the breast.

We meet three mothers who express their milk for different reasons and learnt how to do it in different ways. Find out techniques for expressing, different pumps and ways to store breast milk. We also discover how mothers fit breastfeeding into their return to work.

In their first few weeks, pre-term babies may be fed using a nasogastric tube. But as they progress they will begin to take milk feeds, usually through a tube into the baby's mouth or nose. Breast milk is best for many reasons. Find out why and how as we follow four mothers and their premature babies.

Follow three mothers as they share their tips on the joys and challenges of feeding twins.

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Your guide to breastfeeding and how to do it successfully.

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The breastfeeding network run a drugs in breastmilk service. If you are unsure regarding medications and breastfeeding this service will help you make an informed decision regarding medications you have been advised to take.

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The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) is an independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women and others.

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Breastfeeding takes practice. It takes time to work out which feeding and burping positions feel best. There aren't 'correct' positions - it's about what feels most comfortable for you both, so try them all out to see which feels best. Remember to offer both breasts and switch breasts after each feed.

Hold your baby's whole body close with their nose level with your nipple.

2. Let your baby's head tip back a little so that their top lip can brush against your nipple. This should help your baby to make a wide, open mouth.

3. When your baby's mouth opens wide, their chin should be able to touch your breast first, with their head tipped back so that their tongue can reach as much breast as possible.

4. With your baby's chin firmly touching your breast and their nose clear, their mouth should be wide open. You should see much more of the darker nipple skin above your baby's top lip than below their bottom lip. Your baby's cheeks will look full and rounded as they feed.

The Breastfeeding Friend from Start4Life, available 24 / 7, has lots of useful information and expert advice to share with you.

Further help

For further help with latching on, watch our breastfeeding video:

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Breastfeeding takes practice. Have a look at our guide to latching on, breastfeeding positions and how to burp your baby

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Skip to main content Breastfeeding takes practice. It takes time to work out which feeding and burping positions feel best. There aren't 'correct' positions - it's about what feels most comfortable for you both, so try them all out to see which feels best. Remember to offer both breasts and switch breasts after each feed.

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This guide can give advice on common breastfeeding challenges.

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As a parent of a colicky baby, it can be exhausting and extremely upsetting - but it will stop. It's also important to remember that you need to be looked after too - if possible, ask family and friends for their support so you can take regular rest breaks.

If you're finding it difficult to cope, there are support groups like Cry-sis - originally set up by a group of parents who had problems with their crying and sleepless babies - who offer support and advice. Call 0845 122 8669 (9am to 10pm, 7 days a week).

Soothing a colicky baby

Sadly, there is no actual cure for baby colic, only methods to provide relief and soothe them. Also, you may find that what works one day, has no effect the next. These are some of the tried and tested techniques that other parents use:

Burping: Burp (or wind) your baby during and after every feed - have a look at burping your baby for techniques.

Sit your baby up: When breast or bottle feeding, sit your baby up as straight as possible. This will help minimise the amount of air they swallow. If you are bottle feeding, try to make sure the milk fills the teat and there are no air pockets - you could try using an anti-colic bottle to see if that helps.

Hold them: During bouts of crying, hold your baby to your chest so they can feel and hear your heartbeat.

Rock your baby: Sometimes the swaying motion of rocking your baby in your arms can help.

Warm bath and a massage: A warm bath can be soothing, followed by a gentle tummy massage (with gentle, circular strokes on the tummy).

Create a calming atmosphere: Babies can become overstimulated with lots of noise and activity around them. Try to quieten your surroundings, switch the TV off, dim the lights, and try to take some deep breaths yourself.

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Did you know that colic is a very common condition affecting 1 in 5 babies? Find out how to soothe a colicky baby

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As a parent of a colicky baby, it can be exhausting and extremely upsetting - but it will stop. It's also important to remember that you need to be looked after too - if possible, ask family and friends for their support so you can take regular rest breaks.

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It is a myth that breastfeeding is easy. Breastfeeding takes time and practice for both mothers and babies. Many mothers experience challenges with breastfeeding, but the right support can help overcome these issues.

If you are facing issues with breastfeeding, reach out to your midwife, breastfeeding specialist or health care provider for support.

Here are some of the most common breastfeeding issues, and our tips that can help you find relief.

1. How do I make sure my baby has a good breastfeeding latch?

Establishing a proper latch is the key to making sure that breastfeeding is a comfortable experience for both you and your baby. To make sure your baby is well attached:

Bring their nose directly opposite your nipple.

Let their head tilt back a bit so their top lip can brush against your nipple. This should make their mouth open.

When their mouth is wide open, bring them quickly to the breast with their head back and chin leading. This way, your baby can take a large mouthful of breast and not just the nipple.

Your breast will be drawn deep into your baby's mouth and your nipple will be positioned back into the soft part of your baby's mouth. This will ensure you won't get sore and your baby can get all the milk they need.

Signs of good attachment include:

A comfortable experience with no pain

More areola is visible above your baby's mouth than below

Your baby's mouth is wide open

Their lower lip is turned out

Their chin is touching - or nearly touching - your breast

2. What can I do about low milk supply?

It can be frustrating if you feel that you are not producing enough milk for your baby. If you are worried about your milk supply, reach out to your health care provider. In most cases, there is something going on that they will be able to help you identify.

Some common causes of low milk supply include:

A delay in initiating breastfeeding

No or very little skin-to-skin contact

A delay in milk coming in due to delivery complications, illness or diabetes

Poor attachment

Feeding at fixed times

Short feeds

No nighttime feeding

Infrequent feeds

Worry and stress

Lack of confidence

Lack of bonding

Dislike of breastfeeding

Tiredness

To help prevent low milk supply and maintain a healthy amount of breastmilk for your baby:

Engage in early skin-to-skin contact at delivery and initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible.

Ask for skilled breastfeeding support after delivery to ensure good attachment and effective suckling.

Practice rooming-in (staying and sleeping in the same room as your baby) 24 hours a day.

Breastfeed exclusively unless supplementing your milk supply is medically necessary as indicated by your health care provider.

3. What treatments are available for engorged breasts?

Having engorged breasts can be extremely painful. While full breasts can feel uncomfortable, engorgement is a different problem.

They will feel hot, heavy and hard

They will feel painful, look abnormally swollen with fluid (oedematous) and tight. They may also look shiny and red

Milk will be flowing

Milk will not be flowing

You won't have a fever

You may experience a fever for 24 hours

Common causes and ways to prevent engorged breasts include:

Causes of engorgement

Ways to prevent engorgement

Plenty of milk

Remove milk frequently (by hand expressing or with a pump) and initiate breastfeeding early

Delayed start to breastfeeding

Start breastfeeding soon after delivery

Poor attachment to the breast

Ensure proper attachment

Infrequent removal of milk or restricting the length of feeds

Allow unrestricted breastfeeding

Reach out to your health care provider if you are experiencing engorged breasts.

4. How can I prevent cracked nipples when breastfeeding?

Sore or cracked nipples are usually a sign that your baby is not properly attached at the breast when feeding. Make sure that your baby has a good latch. If one or both of your nipples begin to crack or bleed, reach out to your health care provider as soon as possible for support. At home, try dabbing a bit of expressed breastmilk onto them after you feed. Breastmilk has healing properties that help relieve soreness.

5. What causes mastitis and blocked milk ducts? How do I prevent them?

Breastmilk flows through a system of ducts in your breasts to reach your baby. Sometimes, an area of these ducts can become blocked which stops the milk from flowing easily. Blocked ducts can be painful. Mastitis, an inflammation of the breast, can occur when a blocked duct does not clear or when the build-up of milk in your breast causes swelling or inflammation. Speak to your breastfeeding consultant, midwife or health care provider if you are experiencing pain from blocked ducts.

Some causes of blocked ducts and mastitis include:

Short or infrequent breastfeeds

Not removing the milk from part or all of the breast properly

Damaged breast tissue

Bacteria entering the breast through a crack in the nipple

To help relieve pain and treat your symptoms, try:

Improving milk removal

Correcting poor attachment

Wearing loose-fitting clothing

Breastfeeding more frequently

Gently massaging toward the nipple

Applying a warm compress to the area in pain

Varying feeding positions

Breastfeeding isn't a 'one woman' job, and it is very common to run into bumps along the way. Reach out to your health care provider with any concerns and surround yourself with family, friends and loved ones for support along the way. You've got this!

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Author, Speaker, Researcher supporting new parents through pregnancy, birth and caring for babies

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Guide to measuring for correct breast shell size

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-The Countess of Chester infant feeding team
-Breastfeeding
-Bottle & formula feeding
-Where to find support
-Expressing breast milk and breast pump hire
-Resources for partners
-Support through complications

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Parents Guide

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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. Expressing small amounts […]

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We are a team of specialist health professionals, who focus on helping and promoting infant feeding and parent/baby relationships.

Our Team is led by:

Infant Feeding Lead, Lactation Consultant and Tongue Tie Practitioner - Emma Harrison

Supported by:

Infant Feeding Midwives - Natalie Hughes-Uttley / Rachael Wright

Infant Feeding Midwifery Support Worker - Kate Smith

Infant Feeding Administrator – Julie Charlton

Contact number 01244 363646 / 5401

The infant feeding team provide a range of services in both pregnancy and the postnatal period.

In pregnancy:

infant feeding workshop - the infant feeding team run 2 hour infant feeding workshop to discuss relationship building, and responding to and feeding your baby, with a focus on getting feeding off to the best start. If you would like to book a place call 01244 363646 or email coch-parenteducation@nhs.net

Specialist support - Families who anticipate a more challenging feeding journey or who require additional support can be referred to the infant feeding team in pregnancy for specialist advice.

After Birth:

Early feeding support - The infant feeding team are available every day to offer early feeding support, ensuring feeding gets off to the best start. The team can visit you on labour ward or Cestrian ward, and offer telephone support once discharged from hospital.

Specialist clinic - Families experiencing ongoing feeding difficulties or having a difficult feeding journey can be referred to our specialist clinic for advice and individualized support. The clinic reviews families from birth to 16 weeks of age.

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Storing Breastmilk Safely – Breastfeeding Series

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Being responsive to your baby encourages close and loving relationships. Therefore, we recommend that however you feed your baby it is done responsively.

Responsive breastfeeding involves a mother offering the breast when baby shows cues to feed, as well as her own desire to feed her baby. Breastfeeding is not just for nutrition but love, comfort and reassurance. When breastfeeding responsively the breast can be offered when baby is hungry but also to comfort baby , and to meet mother's needs, for example if breasts are full. Breastfed babies cannot be overfed or spoilt.

Responsive bottle feeding involves offering a bottle feed when baby is showing cues, and in a way that encourages closeness. Limit feeds to parents (especially in the early days), and hold baby upright and close during feeding to encourage eye contact and interaction. Bottle feeding should be ‘paced’. This means holding the bottle in a straight line, letting baby take the teat gently so they can control the flow of milk, and not forcing baby to finish the feed. This reduces the risk of overfeeding.

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What are feeding cues?

Feeding cues are behaviors your baby shows when they are hungry and looking for a feed. The best time to offer a feed is when your baby is showing early cues. Feeds tend to be calmer when offered at the earlier cue stage. When a feed is offered during the late cue stage, baby needs to be calmed first.

Early Cues: ‘I’m hungry’

Stirring. Opening mouth, turning head, and seeking and rooting.

Mid Cues: ‘I’m really hungry’

Stretching, increased physical movement, hand to mouth.

Late Cues: ‘Calm me, then feed me’

Crying, Agitated body movements, Colour turning red.

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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

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Anaesthetics and Breastfeeding - The Breastfeeding Network

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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.

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First Steps Nutrition Trust is an independent public health nutrition charity. We endeavour to fill practical and policy-relevant information gaps and provide resources for health workers supporting eating well from pre-conception to five years.

Our Mission

To influence policies which enable the safe, appropriate and optimal feeding of infants and young children in the UK, and to protect them from commercial interest.

To ensure that the importance of good nutrition from pre-conception to age five remains on everyone's agenda.

To provide conflict of interest-free information on infant milks marketed in the UK, and to promote better regulation and marketing of breastmilk substitutes.

To provide resources for health workers to support them in their work with pregnant women and young families.

Our Resources:

Are put together by nutrition experts and are regularly updated.

Can be used in Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative accredited settings.

Are available as free pdf downloads for use by anyone promoting better public health on a not-for profit basis.

Everyone who works at First Steps Nutrition Trust feels passionately about the need for better information and support for good nutrition - and good food - from pre-conception to five years.

First Steps Nutrition Trust is supported by generous individual donations and conflict of interest free grants. First Steps Nutrition Trust does not work with organisations or individuals that work with, or take funding from, the breastmilk substitute industry and we reserve the right not to sell them our subsidised resources.

First Steps works with and supports a number of organisations including Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative, the Baby Feeding Law Group, the Obesity Health Alliance, the Children's Food Campaign and the APPG on Infant Feeding and Inequalities.

First Steps Nutrition Trust host and regularly update their partner site infantmilkinfo.org which contains comprehensive information about infant milks (for 0-12 month olds) available on the UK market.

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First Steps Nutrition Trust is a charity which provides clear, evidence-based and independent information and support for good nutrition from pre-conception to five years of age.

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Skin-to-Skin Contact: No matter how you're feeding your baby, holding them against your skin right after they're born is good for both of you. Staying in skin to skin for as long as you want after birth and giving baby their first feed in skin to skin is the perfect way to get to know your baby. If you can't do it right away, do it as soon as you can. Even if it's not right after birth, you and your baby will still benefit.

Why it's Good: Skin to skin contact helps you and your baby get close and connected. It's a great start for feeding. Plus, it helps your baby stay warm, breathe well, and feel safe. Your baby will also pick up your skin flora which will help build up their immunity.

Safety First: If you feel you can't do skin-to-skin, let your midwife know. When you do it, make sure your baby's neck is straight, head is up, and you can see their face. If you worry about your baby during this, tell your midwife too.

Not Just at Birth: You can do skin to skin anytime. You can use it to help calm baby, encourage baby to feed, and to enjoy bonding time!

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Skin-to-skin contact - Baby Friendly Initiative

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Skin-to-skin contact is important for babies and mothers to develop close, loving parent-infant relationships and to initiate breastfeeding.

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Skin-to-skin contact means holding your baby naked against your skin, usually under your top or under a blanket.

When your baby is born, you will be encouraged to have skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible.

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Skin-to-skin contact with your newborn - Start for Life

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Find out what skin-to-skin contact with your baby is, when it's recommended and what the benefits are.

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Breastfeeding resources in other languages.

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Breastfeeding resources in other languages.

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Support in languages other than English - La Leche League GB

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LLLGB resources LLLGB breastfeeding information in Welsh is now available on our website. Bwydo ar y fron Hanfodion bwydo ar y fron A yw fy mabi’n cael digon o laeth? Our Leaders offer support to Mums in the following languages: Afrikaans, Bemba, British sign language, Croatian, English, French, German, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, […]

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Using straightforward language and simple illustrations to aid understanding, these infosheets on breastfeeding and bottle feeding are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with the basics of feeding and responding to their baby.

The infosheets are free to download and print, and are currently available in:
Please note: Following feedback, these translations were updated in 2019 to ensure the language used was as straightforward as possible.
The English versions of these resources are available below for reference:

Breastfeeding guidance: English (for reference)

Bottle feeding guidance: English (for reference)

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Foreign language resources - Baby Friendly Initiative

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These infosheets are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with feeding and responding to their baby.

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Foreign language resources - bottle feeding - Baby Friendly Initiative

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These infosheets are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with feeding and responding to their baby.

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Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce during pregnancy and in the first few days following birth. It contains antibodies, immunoglobulins and hormones which promote gut growth, as well as being the perfect nutrition for your baby. It is concentrated so only produced in small quantities. Antenatal colostrum harvesting is the hand expression and collection of colostrum during the later weeks of pregnancy (from 37 weeks gestation). Women who harvest their colostrum become more familiar with their breasts and feel more confident hand expressing and breastfeeding once baby arrives. Harvested colostrum can be given to infants requiring supplement feeds for medical reasons, or to encourage babies to breastfeed effectively. If you would like to harvest your colostrum speak to your midwife. Colostrum harvesting kits are available from your community midwife, antenatal clinic, day unit, Cestrian ward, and the infant feeding team. We advise using the colostrum syringes supplied by COCH. If you use any other colostrum syringes, we will transfer the colostrum to our syringes before giving it to baby. The infant feeding team also run weekly colostrum harvesting drop in sessions. Call 01244 363646 to book a place. See hand expressing section for video on how to hand express.

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Do you want to know a secret?

Come on in close now.

Ready?

Women...

have...

BREASTS!

I'm just going to allow you a moment to comprehend that fact. All better? Please, close your half-open mouths, take away those hands from shielding your eyes. You might want to close this page altogether, maybe even type out a high-strung email of complaint to the fine folk at WordPress, but hey now, woah, wait just one minute-

-you're not surprised, are you? Really? No, my instincts are telling me quite clearly that you Miss, and you Sir, are quite aware of that fact. And what's that I hear? You don't care? Oh. That's interesting, quite liberating to learn actually. Because a very real reality I've discovered since Willow was born, is that there are a lot of goddamn misinformed people out there. I don't know, maybe it's a British thing, but for some reason, somehow over the thousands of years we humble human beings have bumped heads on this planet, a large number have developed an illusion to the very awesome fact that women have breasts.

Or at least, that women have breasts beyond anything sexual. Because surely that's all breasts are used for? Right?

Let's rewind a little. Sara, the Mother of my daughter, was about three months along and well into making her lists. I'm sure every man with a pregnant partner can relate to these lists. In Sara's case, they covered a whole range of *cough* delightful topics, from organic foods she needed to eat as of yesterday, to the aftershave I wore but could no longer use or else so-help-me-God (because Paco Rabanne was offensive to her nose). Amongst these well thought out lists was, like all the others, one I hadn't given any consideration:

'What should our unborn child eat?'

'Well, what are our options?'

You can imagine the look Sara gave me, but in my defence, I wasn't exactly offering a slice of pizza for the future Willow to chow down on. She went on to tell me about formula and breastfeeding, two avenues neither of us knew much about. So my dear friends, of course the next few weeks were spent dipping our noses into the vortex of Google, as well as asking the people around us who'd had children of their own.

We learned two things: we barely knew anybody who'd breastfed, and all the research we uncovered pointed to breastfeeding as the best option. Two contradicting facts. So, as the typically male other half, I thought practically: let's try what's most cost effective. 'As long as you're alright with that,' I added hastily, because at the end of the day, it wasn't my breasts being rented out here.

It didn't turn out that easy. We learned very quickly that latching can be complicated, especially in the early days, and painful. There was one dark night I remember well, three days into coming home, when we still hadn't recovered from a long labour and the zombie-like sleepless state we were in (and still haven't truly come out of). Willow refused the breast for hours, Sara was in tears, and I felt helpless to do anything. It was the closest we came to going to formula, because all that mattered at that point was getting Willow to eat.

Fortunately, with perseverance and a dash of luck, Sara and Willow connected, and what followed was their journey together of breast and daughter. I would like to take a breather for a minute, just to tell you how that all looked as an outsider.

In one word: inspiring. In two words: mad crazy. Because three years before, I met this girl at work, refilling a popcorn stand in a cinema, thinking she looked hot wearing a cap, and here she was giving life to my daughter. It was pretty mind blowing. Especially given the hard couple of days not knowing if breastfeeding was even going to be an option for her. She looked so happy, and Willow...well, babies are like gremlins aren't they. Ridiculously tiny, ridiculously greedy goblins, and noisy too. Jeez, the sounds they make. But hey, we all gotta eat.

A few guys I know have admitted to me that they have, at times, felt jealousy towards their partners who breastfeed. I'll tell anybody feeling that what I told them: don't feel shame for that. There's nothing wrong with feeling like you're outside of something. What makes a man is acknowledging these feelings and sharing them with his better half, who'll no doubt be glad to know that you care enough to feel that way. I promise you, what I've come to know is that my support and openness is all that matters to Sara, because at the end of the day, we're all just figuring out how to be Mothers and Fathers. It's just important we do it together.

What I saw in Willow in those next months, every small developing detail from a smile to a giggle to a raised eyebrow, I put down to Sara. 'You did that,' I told her, 'you got her there.' I was being supportive definitely, but I was being honest as well, as that was what I really believed. I credit everybody out there as well, for the only thing that matters and scares us in them beginning months, whether it's breast or formula, is just getting our babies from one month to the next in as healthy a way as possible. It's a massive achievement for us all.

Soon enough we started leaving the house for longer periods of time. First the fifteen minute stroll, waving to people we didn't know because we were in that joyful bubble. Then the half hour walk through the park, marvelling at the formation of the clouds, admiring nature's beauty like a couple of oddballs. What's that, food shopping? Sure, we can do an hour, it'll be fun. FUN. Before long it's time to go to the town, the three of you. Deep breath. Here we go. Big crowd. Rain. Headache. Crying. Crying. Crying. Wait - is she hungry?

I've got to credit Sara. A usually quiet and shy person by nature, when it came to feeding her daughter, a part of her came to life. Momma Bear. I would sit with her, drinking coffee in Costa, or sat in the leather armchair of some restaurant, and we'd chat about something random like people do and then we'd notice them. Those strangely developed people I mentioned before. The ones who didn't know that breasts could be used to feed a baby. That thought it was an interruption to their day to witness this, and were either oblivious or unconcerned by the contradiction their behaviour showed by staring at us so obviously.

Of what I've read and heard from people worldwide, Sara got off lightly in terms of these experiences. She suffered little more than stares, but the extent of the abuse isn't the point I'm making. An unwanted stare is no less appalling than a manager of a store asking a woman to feed her child elsewhere, because both actions are outrageous. At the end of the day, most breastfeeding Mothers are just like Sara was and in some ways still is, women who have enough to deal with as it is without some close-minded uneducated passer-by leering and passing judgement. As a man, I can never relate to what Sara does daily, be it at home or in public, breastfeeding on demand, selecting what clothes to buy based on whether they're breastfeeding friendly, planning around Willow's routine, waking through the night whilst I'm snoring away next to her, blissfully unaware. Nipple cream? What the heck is that? Until Sara breastfed I didn't even know people made that stuff, but thank God those guys and girls did, because it lessened the pain when it was there.

It really did open my eyes to some of the people around me, giving me insight into how thoughtless they can be. These women go through hours of labour, have their lives turned upside down, have a defenceless tiny little being totally dependent on them, but somehow there are people who believe it's THEIR right to go about their life not having to see a baby feed on a breast. How insane is that? And how typical as well, that these people make everything about themselves. When they don't matter. They don't fucking matter, let's not be coy here. Fuck those people.

So to all those women out there, being scolded, being made to feel like they're impacting somebody else's life, I say this: embrace it, lady. Raise a finger. Because they don't know what it takes. They don't know what it means to have a five mile radius of all the best changing rooms from your location. They don't understand how long it took you to find a flattering dress that morning that also had a zip down the front. They'll just never get that your breasts, any breasts, are more than mere objects of desire. But you know. You take the nipple pain, you bear the moments of self doubt, the sleepless nights, the back pain and weird angles your baby demands. You're a warrior, a gladiator.

You're a Mother.
https://lettersfromlocke.wordpress.com/

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All Things Breastfeeding - From A Man's Point Of View - Bloggers : Bump, Baby and You, Pregnancy, Parenting and Baby Advice and Info

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All Things Breastfeeding - From A Man's Point Of View - Bloggers : Bump, Baby and You, Pregnancy, Parenting and Baby Advice and Info