All about breastfeeding

First Feed

It is important that your baby latched on as soon after birth as she wants to, infact if you have a normal drug free delivery and your baby is delivered directly onto your stomach, she should instinctively make her way up your body and latch herself onto your left nipple - the left because she will follow the sound of your heartbeat - amazing isn't it?!

The first feed will be made up of colostrum - this special milk is low in fat, and high in proteins and carbohydrates. It is also your baby's first immunisation as it contains antibodies your body has produced to help keep your baby healthy. It is extremely easy to digest, and is therefore the perfect first food for your baby. It is low in volume but high in concentrated nutrition for the newborn. Colostrum has a laxative effect on the baby, helping him pass his early stools, which aids in the excretion of excess bilirubin and helps prevent jaundice.

If you had had medication during your labour, it could be that your baby is drowsy and unresponsive and this may last for a few days, do not worry unnecessarily that your baby isn't feeding lots, ask your midwife or the infant feeding co-ordinator of the hospital for advice.

Early Days

Breastfeeding isn't easy, it is something you and your baby will need to learn how to do together. The most important thing you will need in these early days is support, that could come from your partner, your mum or a local breastfeeding counsellor. It might be a help if you talk to the people you are close to before you have your baby and make them aware that you will be feeding her yourself - though feeding your baby is the most natural thing in the world there are some people who find the thought uncomfortable, mainly because it is an unknown thing to them, if you talk about it beforehand there won't be any unnecessary upset. Tell them you are giving your child the best start in life - no-one can argue with that.

Your baby will make her own routine, there is not a right and wrong time to feed and no set time to say how long a feed will last. It can be really hard as unlike a bottle, your breasts don't have quantity markings to tell you how much your baby has fed. Try to remember your baby's stomach is as big as it's tiny curled up fist so it can't hold much, and because your milk is so easy for your baby to digest, your baby will process it quickly and be ready for more.

You may find that one day she is feeding every 30 minutes and the next go four hours without waking up, it's normal and when she is asleep try to catch up on some rest yourself - leave the dirty pots in the sink for your partner, ask your mum to put the washer on and your mother in law to do the hoovering, they really will be glad of something to do to help you out. And if there isn't anyone to help, just leave things - your baby doesn't care if the house is a read more