Frequently asked Questions

How do I position my baby?

• It is important to find a comfortable position. Sit so that your back is straight and your lap is flat. If you need to, you can use a pillow to help support your baby.
• Keep your baby close to you and facing you so that they do not need to twist or stretch.
• Bring your baby to your breast, rather than trying to move your breast to your baby. Your baby's nose should be opposite your nipple to allow them to tilt their head back.
• The baby’s chin and lower jaw should reach your breast first. Moving the baby's mouth gently across your nipple will encourage the baby’s mouth to open wide.
• The baby’s tongue should move forward so that their bottom lip and chin touch your breast first. This will help the baby to scoop in as much breast as possible.
  The baby's chin should be close to your breast to allow them to breathe easily.

What is the correct feeding position?

A correct feeding position is important to ensure that your baby has a good flow of milk, and to prevent your nipples from becoming sore. Signs that your baby is properly attached to your breast include:

• their bottom lip is curled back
• their chin is touching your breast
•  their mouth is wide open
• their sucking pattern changes to long, deep sucks.

At first, you may find breastfeeding a little uncomfortable. This should ease as baby feeds. After the first week or two, you should start to feel used to it.

However, if, after two weeks, breastfeeding still feels uncomfortable, ask your midwife, health visitor, or breastfeeding counsellor to check whether your baby is positioned correctly.

How often and how much?

Newborn babies usually get hungry every two to three hours but, as they begin to grow and take more milk, they may need less frequent feeds. The frequency of feeds can increase during a baby's growth spurts, which often happen at around two weeks, six weeks, three months and six months, but every baby is different.

It may take between 24 to 48 hours for your milk supply to catch up with the increase in demand, so during this time, get plenty of rest, eat well and drink plenty of fluids. You will produce enough milk to satisfy your baby's demand. The main thing is to feed your baby when they are hungry and to offer them a feed if you think they want one. The more you feed your baby, the more milk your body will produce.

When breastfeeding, make sure that both breasts are used equally. You may offer both breasts at each feed or switch between breasts mid-feed. Starting each new feed on alternate breasts can be a good way of ensuring that both breasts get used equally.

While you are breastfeeding, get plenty of rest and eat healthily. You do not need to have a special diet in order to produce enough milk.