For parents who wish to make informed
choices about infant sleep and night-time care.

First Steps Nutrition Trust is an independent public health nutrition charity.

By Dr Louise Santhanam, General Practitioner. This video is a demonstration of good attachment at the breast (‘the latch’), including a visualisation of the anatomy inside the infant’s mouth.

We have a private Facebook group, a supportive space to share experiences, ask questions, and connect with others on your breastfeeding journey: https://www.facebook.com/groups/southcoastbreastfeeding/ (please answer the joining questions)

To help you keep up to date with all the latest information, local events, drop-ins, and breastfeeding support available in your area, we’d love for you to also follow our public Facebook pages!

Each local Breastfeeding Network project across the South Coast regularly shares:

Up-to-date session times and venues
Evidence based information
Community news and local events
Training opportunities.

Follow your local page below to make sure you don’t miss anything that’s happening near you!

Dorset: https://www.facebook.com/bfndorset

https://linktr.ee/bfndorset

Isle of Wight:

https://www.facebook.com/IOWbreastfeedinginfo

https://linktr.ee/bfn_iow

Portsmouth:

https://www.facebook.com/PompeyBreastfeeding

https://linktr.ee/pompeybreastfeedingnetwork

Southampton:

https://www.facebook.com/southamptonwelcomesbreastfeeding

https://linktr.ee/sotonwelcomesbreastfeeding

South and East Hampshire:

https://www.facebook.com/southandeasthampshirebreastfeedinginformation

https://linktr.ee/bfnhants

Your breastmilk is produced on a supply and demand basis. The more frequently your baby feeds and the more milk they drink, the more milk your body will produce. This is especially important in the first few weeks.

There is always some milk in your breasts, and they are always producing more, so you can breastfeed even if your breasts feel “empty”. Stimulating your breasts by feeding your baby tells your body to make more milk. By contrast, when your breasts become very full or engorged, a protein called feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL) tells your body to stop making milk.

Breastfeeding works best when you feed your baby responsively. There are no limits to how often you can offer your baby your breast. In the early weeks especially, you can breastfeed your baby every time they want it. A new baby is not used to feelings of hunger and will feel upset and alone if their needs are not met. They have a small tummy and can digest breastmilk quickly, so they need to feed frequently. You can breastfeed your baby to comfort them as well or help them drop off to sleep.   

You can also feed your baby whenever you feel you want to, for example if you feel your breasts are becoming over full, or if you are about to do something like attend an appointment, eat a meal or have a bath and want to be sure they won’t be hungry whilst you are occupied.   

Breastfeeding Out and About

Information for families - The Breastfeeding Network

It is your baby’s experiences with you and with the world around them, that make connections in their brain.

Mastitis (breast inflammation) covers a range of symptoms — from a small, tender area (often called a blocked duct) through to severe infection. This article explains what causes breast inflammation, how to treat it, and when to get help.

If you suspect that your baby may have a tongue tie, this should be assessed by a trained healthcare professional such as a GP, midwife, health visitor or lactation consultant.

What is skin-to-skin contact?

This article provides 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.

You can have occasional, small amounts of alcohol but should not drink regularly or heavily (e.g. binge drinking) without considering how to limit your baby’s exposure.

If you drink any alcohol DO NOT bed share with your baby or fall asleep in the sofa/chair.

If you do drink heavily, your baby should be cared for by an adult who has not had any alcohol.

It is not necessary to express breastmilk to clear it of alcohol.

This article contains information and links to safe sleep guidance, whether you plan to bed-share or not, please see this safe sleep guidance to ensure you can avoid preventable unsafe circumstances

Breastmilk is a complete and perfect food for your baby. It is especially important for multiples, who are often small at birth. Breastfeeding also helps you create a special bond with each of your babies. Many mothers have nursed their multiples; you can enjoy nurturing your babies this way, too. This article has some great information and links to more resources.