Tip 1: Get the Latch Right

Getting the latch right is one of the most important factors in successful breastfeeding. Before your baby is born, take a moment to watch some videos on breastfeeding and the latch. A great resource is www.ibconline.ca, where you can find helpful videos. It’s important to understand what an asymmetrical latch is and how to encourage your baby to drink, not just comfort suck.

Once your baby is born, focus on getting the latch as comfortable as possible. Rate your comfort on a scale from 1 to 10 when your baby latches on, 1 being completely comfortable. If it’s a 6 at the start, within 10 seconds it should drop to a 5.5 and within 30 seconds it should be a 3. Listen for swallows to make sure your baby is drinking. If you experience increasing pain at any point, this may mean your baby has slipped to a poor latch. This can lead to long, drawn-out feeds, sore nipples, and a hungry baby because they were comfort sucking instead of drinking milk.

Tip 2: Prioritise Sleep

Sleep, or rather the lack of it, is a challenge in those early days. It’s essential to get as much sleep as you can - before and after the birth. In the first few weeks, it can be hard to get more than two hours of sleep at a time. So, take advantage of any opportunity for rest. Ask your partner to take over after the first morning feed, allowing you to go back to bed. Try to sleep during the day while someone else is looking after the baby, and don’t be afraid to go to bed early in the evening. A few extra hours of uninterrupted sleep will work wonders for your energy and patience.

Tip 3: Get Support Early

Breastfeeding doesn’t always go smoothly, and that’s okay. It’s essential to get support early on if things aren’t going well. Ask your midwife for advice or head to a breastfeeding support group. You can also find a lactation consultant who can come to your home (visit www.lcgb.org for more information). Don’t hesitate to accept help from family and friends - whether it’s bringing food, folding laundry, or taking the baby for a walk while you catch up on rest. Your baby should be sleeping for 16 hours a day in the first six weeks, leaving you with 8 hours of awake time. Make sure you’re using that sleep time wisely to rest and recharge.

Tip 4: Feed Big Meals, Not Snacks

Feeding your baby a full meal is key to a successful breastfeeding routine. Rather than offering lots of small feeds, try to feed your baby a full feed - like a starter, main course and pudding. If your baby falls asleep mid-feed, gently wake them by changing their nappy and encourage them to feed more. This will help them settle better between feeds, giving you the opportunity for some much-needed rest. Avoid letting your baby get overtired by helping them settle to sleep after they’ve finished their feed.

Tip 5: Take a Breastfeeding Class & Learn About Colostrum Harvesting

Attending a breastfeeding class before your baby is born can set you up for success. A good class will teach you everything you need to know about breastfeeding, including techniques for expressing colostrum from 36 weeks of your pregnancy. It is vital in the first 48 hours after birth to establish good feeding habits and prevent sore nipples. This early breastfeeding period is crucial for setting the stage for the days and weeks ahead.

In Summary

It’s all about getting as prepared as you can, as much sleep as you can, getting help where you can, and feeding your baby as well as you can. Then, it becomes about balancing your needs with your baby’s. You’ll hear all sorts of advice about feeding on demand versus more structured feeding routines. If the experts can’t agree on the best strategy, what are you supposed to do? Choose a strategy somewhere in the middle for the first few weeks that works for you. After all, this is your baby. There’s no right or wrong way - just aim for being rested parents and having a happy baby.

For even more information on how to get breastfeeding off to a good start, then click here for our in-depth free guide.

Coming Soon: The ‘This Is Your Baby’ App

We’re launching the This Is Your Baby app later this year to support you even further. It’ll include:

• Breastfeeding & bottle feeding advice
   
• Baby development tips
   
• Gentle sleep strategies
   
• Support for unsettled babies
   

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when we launch!
 👉https://this-is-your-baby.mykajabi.com/waitlist or scan the QR code below.