Feeding your Baby
The first years of your baby’s life are very important for their
health in the 
future; breastfeeding helps your baby get off
to a healthy start. Breast milk gives your baby all the nutrients
they need for the first 6 months of life.
Southmead Maternity Service (which covers both hospital and
community maternity care) achieved full Baby Friendly accreditation
in 2004 and all of our maternity staff receive regular training in
infant feeding, including extensive training in breastfeeding
support. We will support you however you choose to feed your
baby.
Our breastfeeding policy, displayed on the postnatal wards,
reflects the World Health Organisation/Unicef’s ten steps for
successful breastfeeding.
Infant feeding specialist midwives
Kate Battersby and Marion Copeland can give you extra help and
advice for breastfeeding and infant formula
feeding. Telephone: 0117 3233527 for further information.
Some of the benefits of breastfeeding for you both. For your
baby - reduced risk of:
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Ear infections
- Chest infections
- Urine infections
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Childhood cancers
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Heart disease
For you - reduced risk of:
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Hip fractures
Breastfeeding is also convenient and free.
Your milk is perfectly suited to your baby and each feed is
different to the last.The milk is always changing to meet the needs
of your growing and developing baby. Breast milk gives your baby
all the food and drink he needs for the first six months of life.
It also gives your baby protection. Through your breast milk you
will pass on protection from everyday coughs,colds, infections and
diseases. The longer you breast feed the more protection your baby
will have, but remember, any breast milk will benefit your
baby.
Once you decide that you would like to breastfeed your baby, you
may be worried that you won’t be able to do it. It is normal to
feel this way but our fully trained hospital and community
maternity staff will give you information, guidance and support to
enable you to succeed, and are committed to help you get
breastfeeding off to the very best start.
What happens after my baby is born?
After your baby is born you will be encouraged to cuddle your
baby with skin to skin contact. This will allow both of you to
get to know each other. Skin contact will calm and keep your babay
warm your baby after birth. It will also allow your baby to search
and find the breast. Most babies will breastfeed within about an
hour after they are born.
How often will my baby feed?
Babies like to feed fairly often. Their stomachs are about the size
of a small marble when they are born and the size of a table tennis
ball when they are 10 days old. Breastfed babies feed on average
between 8 – 12 times in 24 hours. Babies are encouraged to find
their own pattern and allow them to feed as often as they like
and for as long as they like. Your baby will tell you he has
finished his breastfeed by taking himself off the breast and
looking satisfied or even fall asleep.
How do I know when my baby is hungry?
Most babies are fairly patient and they give you a bit of warning
that they are hungry. Babies show you ‘feeding cues’ when they are
hungry. These include:
- Wriggling and stirring
- Turning his head from side to side
- Opening his mouth
- Licking his lips
- Sucking on his fingers
How do I breastfeed my baby?
It is important that your baby is attached to the breast correctly
when breastfeeding. When babies are attached well they will get all
the milk they need and it will be comfortable for you. Babies are
born with all the right instincts to breastfeed and you can make it
as easy for your baby as possible by holding him/her in a good
position.
What position should I use?
You can feed your baby in any position that is comfortable for
you.
- Hold your baby with his or her head and body in a straight
line. If your baby’s body is twisted he or she may find it
difficult to feed and swallow.
- Hold your baby close to your body so that your baby doesn’t
have to stretch and reach for the breast.
- support your baby along his or her back shoulder and neck using
your arm. Your baby needs to be able to tilt his or her head back
when feeding
- Your baby needs to be able to take in a big mouthful of breast
when he feeds and your baby will find this easier if you hold your
baby with his or her nose opposite your nipple.
After you have given birth your midwife or healthcare assistant
will also show you, and give you lots of support and help so that
positioning and attachment is correct.
How do I know my baby is feeding well?
You baby will take long sucks and swallows with pauses during
a breastfeed and towards the end of a breastfeed smaller, fluttery
sucks. Each baby and each feed will vary the length of
feeding time. You will get to know what is normal for your
baby.
- Baby has a wide open mouth
- Chin pressing into the breast leaving the nose clear
- More areola (the dark skin around the nipple) seen above the
baby’s top lip than below the bottom lip
- Baby’s cheeks are full and round.
How do I know my baby is getting enough
milk?
- Weight; It is usual for babies to lose some weight in the first
few days after birth. Your baby should start gaining weight after
the first 2 weeks.
- Wet nappies; Your baby may only have 2 or 3 wet nappies in the
first couple of days. After that your baby should have lots of wet
nappies. From day 5 your baby should have about 6 nappies a day
that are very wet. This is a good sign that your baby is getting
plenty of milk.
- Poos; the first poo your baby passes will be the thick black
meconium. By day 3 you should see this meconium becoming lighter
and not as thick. From day 5 your baby’s poos should be yellow and
runny. Your baby should have at least 2 of these yellow poos each
day for the first 2 weeks.
- Happy; your baby should come off the breast on their own and
should look content after most feeds. Your breasts and nipples
should not be sore.
If you are concerned about any of these points, please speak to
your midwife, Health visitor or contact the Infant feeding
specialist midwives.
The more you breast milk you give your baby the more milk your
breasts will produce. Giving infant formula to a breastfed baby
will reduce your milk supply. Your baby will get all he needs from
your milk for the first 6 months of life. Every day counts; each
day of breast milk makes a difference to your baby’s health.
Support and help
It can
take a few weeks to feel confident breastfeeding your baby and at
times you may feel tired. Our hospital and community staff
recognise this and are there to help and support you. You can also
get lots of support from other mothers and we would recommend that
you find a support group near you.
Other sources of support
Infant feeding specialist Midwives
Telephone: 0117 3233527
National breastfeeding
helpline
Telephone: 0300 100
0212
Visit: www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk
The breastfeeding support line in Bengali/Sylheti
Telephone: 0300 456 2421
Association of breastfeeding
mothers
Visit: www.abm.me.uk
The breastfeeding
network
Visit: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
NCT breastfeeding
line
Telephone: 030 0330
0771
Visit: www.nct.org.uk
La Leche
League
Telephone: 0845 120
2918
Visit: www.laleche.org.uk
Further information can be found on the Baby Friendly website
http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/page.asp?page=1
Sharing a bed with your baby (on the Baby Friendly
website)
http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/page.asp?page=115&category=3
From bump to breastfeeding DVD online visit
http://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/our-films/fbbdb8b2-4027-4fb8-a05f-dbca1329680c
Information leaflets
Breastfeeding & work is available to download at
http://www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk/en/materialforclients/downloads/breastfeedingandwork.pdf
Photographs © Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative
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