Breastfeeding

When you’re new to breastfeeding, you may find it a little strange and uncomfortable at first – until both you and your baby have got the hang of good attachment.

However, if you find that your nipples or breasts are painful – or that breastfeeding is sore – do contact your midwife, health visitor/public health nurse or breastfeeding consultant for advice.

Nursing bras and breast pads

Wearing a good nursing bra will not only give your breasts the support they need, but also make it easier for you to breastfeed, as they usually open either fully or partially at the front. And because you might find that you leak a little milk between feeds, breast pads inserted inside your bra will help to soak this up – you can buy both washable and disposable kinds.

Engorged breasts and mastitis

Both mastitis and engorgement can happen to breastfeeding mums, often in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. Baby-led feeding and making sure your baby is properly attached will help with both. If you have signs of either, speak to your midwife or health visitor/public health nurse straight away.

Engorgement

Your breasts can become engorged at any stage but it is most likely to happen if you miss feeds or your baby is not attached correctly. Your breasts will feel hot, heavy and painful and may be shiny and red. You may have a temperature and your baby will have difficulty attaching. Expressing milk will help by softening the breast.

Mastitis

This is most common two weeks after your baby is born, when a small clot of milk can block one or more of your breast ducts, causing your breast to feel painful and swollen. You may also feel flu-like symptoms, and your breast may be tender and have a red, wedge shaped area. It’s important that you do not stop breastfeeding if you have mastitis symptoms as this may make it worse. If you don’t improve within 6-8 hours you may need an antibiotic from your doctor.

Eating for mum!

You can now eat all of the things that you weren’t able to eat when you were pregnant. However, avoid large amounts of caffeine as this may make your baby irritable. Try to eat a healthy and varied diet, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, starchy foods such as bread and pasta, and plenty of fibre, protein and dairy foods. Also, remember to drink lots of water as breastfeeding can make you feel thirsty – and if you don’t drink enough fluids, you may get constipated.

Alcohol and breastfeeding

When you drink, small amounts of alcohol pass into your breast milk. For this reason it is important to limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than 1-2 units once or twice a week. Drinking more than this can affect your baby and cause her to have problems feeding, sleeping and digesting. If you know you are going to have a drink, try to have it after the last feed of the day so it doesn’t affect your baby. Or express some milk before you have a drink and feed this to your baby later.