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Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby, providing all of the nutrients your baby needs whilst helping to protect them from diseases and infections.
Evidence recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and states that it can continue to benefit your baby along with solid foods for many months after.
These links offer specific advice for breastfeeding, don’t forget if you have any questions about feeding your baby contact your health visitor who will be happy to help.
There is so much information out there on breastfeeding it can be overwhelming, we have gathered together top tips and hints to help you and your baby to feed. It's informant to be aware of the benefits of breastfeeding, it's recommended to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, initially it can seem daunting the NHS have produced guidance to support you breastfeed in the first days. You have have lots of questions about breastfeeding, many of them have been answered here - if not feel free to speak to your health visitor who will be happy to help you.
Latching on and positioning
Many new mum's struggle to get their baby to latch on and begin to panic and then stop breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can take practice; it’s worth trying out different feeding positions to find out which ones work best for you and your baby. Have a look at Start4Life’s Guide to breastfeeding positions.
The below video can be used as reference for how to know if your baby is latched on.
Help and support for breastfeeding
Contact your health visiting service if you need help and support with breastfeeding or come along to our Breastfeeding Groups at Rossmere Children’s Centre where support is on hand to help you. Similarly please click on the links below for advice and support with breastfeeding.
Good places to look for advice on breastfeeding:
https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding/early-days/about-breastmilk-and-breastfeeding
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/support-for-parents/
Breastfeeding during COVID:
https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/breastfeeding-safely-during-covid-19-pandemic
Breastfeeding and COVID vaccine :
Breastfeeding and medications: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-and-lifestyle/medicines/
Help and support breastfeeding groups are not currently available. We advise mothers to keep their eye on the website or Facebook page for when these restart. We are currently offering a virtual breastfeeding group – please contact your Health Visitor to book a space.
Here are some more useful guidance to support you whilst breastfeeding:
Expressing and storing breast milk
Breastfeeding a premature baby