Is my baby latched on properly?
When you start out, it's hard to know whether your baby is latching on correctly. There are a few things to remember:
Signs of a good latch include:
If you've tried adjusting your feeding position and technique but your baby still is not latching on properly, there could be something else stopping her from feeding correctly. It's possible she could have thrush, which babies can easily pick up in the birth canal and affects many newborns, or it could be reflux or a medical condition such as tongue-tie or a cleft palate (although a cleft palate is usually picked up earlier).
You know your baby better than anyone else, so if you feel something isn't right with her latch, speak to your health visitor or GP and they will be able to advise you. Although some pain may be expected when you start (and don't worry, nipples do eventually become less sensitive when breastfeeding), pain can also indicate that something is wrong. Listen to your body, trust your instincts and get advice if you feel you need it.
How many feeds does my baby need each day?
This will change as your baby grows. At first, it will be approximately eight to 12 feeds in 24 hours. You could be feeding every two to three hours or more frequently when she is having a growth spurt, and this will gradually reduce to every four hours. The best thing is to be guided by your baby.
Signs a baby is hungry
Should my diet change when I’m breastfeeding?
Eating a varied and nutritious diet is very important for keeping you and your baby healthy. There are few hard-and-fast rules on foods to avoid. In general, it's much less prescriptive than the dietary dos and don'ts of pregnancy, you'll be pleased to hear.
There’s no specific NHS guidance on food that can increase milk supply. The recommendation is to eat a healthy and varied diet.
Caffeine and breastfeeding
NHS advice is to limit your caffeine intake to 200mg or less per day, which amounts roughly to two cups of instant coffee. You may be feeling tired as sin, but it's thought that the caffeine you consume could keep your baby awake – which isn't what anyone with a newborn is aiming for.
However, a recent review by the University of Warwick has highlighted the need for more extensive research on this subject. The study, by a research team from the university's medical school, has found no real evidence of positive or negative effects of maternal caffeine consumption on a breastfed baby.
But before you stick the kettle on, the team isn't suggesting that caffeine has no effect at all – it just doesn't think there are sufficient studies of good quality to inform new mothers about how much caffeine they can actually have.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while breastfeeding?
It's best to limit your alcohol intake, though the occasional glass is alright. The NHS recommends you limit your intake to two units once or twice a week. That's a couple of small glasses of wine, a pint of beer, or two single measures of spirits.
How do I express milk?
Expressing breast milk can give you flexibility and some respite if you're finding feeding challenging. Whether you express by hand, or with a breast pump, it allows you to transfer your breast milk into a bottle.