Ask a Midwife! Ask anything you’d like to know about baby feeding - chance to win a Momcozy breast pump worth £269.99 and baby feeding essentials!

[geemumsnet]

Feeding your baby can feel like a bit of a rollercoaster from figuring out how to get started with breastfeeding, to wondering if your supply is enough, or juggling pumping and bottles.

Every feeding journey looks different, and it can be hard to know what’s best for you and your baby especially if you’re a new parent or your new baby’s needs are different.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Momcozy for this Q&A with Marie – a midwife with 12 years’ experience and mum of two.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, combi feeding, or thinking about switching things up, Marie’s here with expert, down-to-earth advice to support you with your questions.

Please leave your questions below and Marie will be here W/C 6th October to answer. All questions entered before 24th October will be entered into the prize draw.

We are selecting 8 winners for all participants of this Q&A for the following prizes: Momcozy M9 Breast Pump, 5 X £50 Momcozy Vouchers, 2 x Milk Coolers!

About the expert:

Marie is a mum of two, Georgie (4) and Frankie (18 months). With over 12 years of experience as a qualified midwife, she is a trusted voice in the parenting space. She has more than 100K engaged followers on Instagram, where she shares her insights on parenting, baby care, and wellness. Marie is also the author of two best-selling books with Penguin and holds a Hypnobirthing diploma, as well as a PTTLS qualification as an adult educator. She’s passionate about supporting new parents with evidence-based information and practical advice.

About Momcozy:

Momcozy is a global brand devoted to supporting mums through every stage of motherhood – from pregnancy to feeding and beyond. Since 2018, they’ve been creating thoughtful, high-quality products designed with mums’ real needs in mind. Their range includes wearable breast pumps, nursing bras, maternity wear, and other everyday essentials that aim to make the journey into motherhood a little easier and more comfortable. With a focus on comfort, flexibility, and mum-friendly design, Momcozy’s mission is simple: to help mums feel supported, confident, and cared for at every step.

Click here to shop Momcozy’s latest Momcozy Mobile Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump | M9 or shop here for all Momcozy breast pumps.

For cracked nipples during cluster feeding: ensure a deep latch and try different positions to reduce pressure. Switch sides often and take care of your nipples by rubbing a few drops of breast milk on them after feeds, or using a natural balm. Air-dry when possible. If pain or cracking persists, seek support from a lactation consultant.

If you breastfeed while pregnant and then have a newborn, your body is pretty amazing! Milk might drop a bit during pregnancy but still has plenty of nutrients for your older child. Once your baby arrives, your body naturally shifts to make colostrum and milk for the newborn, and supply adjusts as they feed. With plenty of fluids, good food and rest when you can (ask for help with the older one!) tandem feeding usually works really well for both kids.

Only a small fraction of what you drink reaches your baby via breastmilk. Most guidelines (including WHO and NHS) say up to 200–300 mg per day (roughly 1–2 cups of regular coffee) is safe for breastfeeding. Enjoy your coffee!

Absolutely! During pregnancy, your milk may change slightly. Overall volume can decrease, especially in the second trimester. This is due to hormonal changes as your body prepares for the newborn, prioritising colostrum, the thick milk rich in antibodies for your baby. Many toddlers notice the change but can continue nursing happily, using breastfeeding for comfort, bonding and extra nutrition.

I am 5 months pregnant with my first. My ideal would be to exclusively pump and bottle feed once my supply is established. I am most likely having a planned c section due to some high risk factors I am worried about low milk supply in the first couple of days and how to manage this.

Is there a best time to reduce pumping and giving breast milk? Like I know they wean at 6 months, but is it best to stop breast milk then too?

Both my children reacted to allergens in my breast milk and ended up with awful eczema. What's the latest guidance on managing risks? Are GPs more aware of this now? Mine laughed when I asked if my first child could be reacting to something I was eating. 4 weeks later when I started weaning (on that GP advice) my son had an anaphylactic reaction

I am currently 4 months postpartum and just wondering if there is any way to up my milk supply as I’m only just making enough for my daughter who is drinking 4oz every 2/3 hours and I’m going back to work soon so I am needing milk for when I’m not around her.

What is the average/ usual amount to pump per breast per session? And how long would you expect to pump for?

I've got 7 week old triplets, they spent just shy of 6 weeks in the nicu. ive tried hard to get a great supply but is there anyway to help along my slacker boob? Some days it produces the same for 1 pump session but 9/10 im 2-3oz a drift. Sometimes more. Which leads to a sore boob, the milk is there im just having issues getting it. Im pretty positive I have elastic nipples aswell so im unsure if this could be a problem for it?
Thankyou.

How do I know if it’s normal pain or tongue-tie?

I have just been diagnosed with raynauds of the nipple. other than the diagnosis the GP was clueless about it. I’m worried it’s going to affect me breastfeeding and possibly be incredibly painful as the raynauds is. Do you have any advice or information on this please?

I have almost 5 month old twins and I have been breastfeeding and pumping and giving them EBM before bed. During the night, sometimes they sleep through until 3/4am and my breasts are really engorged. After they have fed my breasts are still quite full so I pump to relieve them. My question is, if they are still engorged after my twins feed, are they only getting fore milk during their night feeds?

It would be better to have an IBCLC. Most midwives hsve no lactation training and are unhelpful with practical issues.

What is your best tip for returning to work (in 4 months) and still wanting to breast feed at night, but not let the milk supply dry up. ?

Hello, do you have any essential tips for a first time mama? I desperately want to breast feed my baby but im so worried I wont be able to and im already working myself up with panic. I really want the bonding experience of breastfeeding my child. Thank you

Hi, I'm completely new to this topic and slightly lost as there's so much information online! I'm planning to breastfeed my baby and my first question is- do I even need a breastpump in that case? If yes, when should I start looking at one/buy one? I already started looking at them all,although I'm only 24wks pregnant and overwhelmed.
Also, should I be concerned if for the last 2-3 weeks I'm already leaking at night(not a lot,but I wake up with small patches on my top).
Thank you!

Dose the breast size affect the amount of milk produced?
why dose
Why do some women have alotof milk and some have alittle?

I have got 1 month baby,sill I haven’t used brest pump
dose breast pump affect milk deficiency or not?
I hesitate to use it can you help me to anser this question please.

How long does the milk last in the fridge after being extracted?

Baby has been struggling to latch since birth. She was born at 37 weeks and was only weighing 2.4 kg. Milk took time to come in so had to give her bottles. I tried to introduce the breast but she latches for 5 minutes then loses the latch, gets angry and cries. Do you have any advice please?

my 3 weeks old new born got used to the nipple shield and now when I try to give him naked nipple he doesn’t latch as he thinks thats not the boobie 😅he starts crying until I put the nipple shield on, how can I make him know that naked nipple is also to feed him ?

Okay, thank you! I'll keep trying. He's got 4 teeth and tries to bit so I have to stop bit I've tried a nipple shield hoping it would help with the biting but he seems to bite more and pull really hard like he's trying to knaw meat off a bone 🙈

The recommendation is 4-6 days depending how cold your fridge is. But never put in the door as that's the warmest part of the fridge. :)

Breast size does not determine your milk output, I'm a 40DD and was an oversupplier with my first but an undersupplier for my 2nd and 3rd.
Some woman can just produce a lot of milk and can have quite high prolactin levels (milk making hormone) and others unfortunately struggle more.