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Your breast milk provides perfect nutrition to match your baby’s changing needs. Colostrum is the fluid your breasts produce in the first few days after birth. It helps protect your baby from infection. Breastfed babies also enjoy some protection against:
- Common infections
- Middle-ear infections
- Some childhood cancers
- Diarrhoeal diseases
- Respiratory infections and asthma
- Juvenile diabetes
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Childhood obesity.
Some tips to help you get started
Babies are born with a strong instinct to suckle at the breast. Where mother and baby are together from birth, successful initiation of breastfeeding is more likely to occur. Positioning and attachment come naturally to many babies and mothers, but many need time and practice to get it right. The following tips may help:
- Crying is a late hunger cue – try to respond to your baby before he or she becomes distressed.
- Hold your baby fully facing you and bring in close to your body.
- Use pillows behind your back and, once the baby is well attached, you can place a pillow underneath them for comfort.
- Touch the area between your baby’s nose and mouth with your nipple. This will encourage a wide mouth ready to take the nipple and surrounding areola into its mouth.
- Young babies tire easily so delay changing the nappy until later in the feed.
- Breastfeeding doesn’t hurt if your baby is well attached. If you feel pain, break the suction by inserting a clean finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth, and try again.
The number of feeds varies
Each child is different but a young baby can feed eight to twelve times in 24 hours. Your milk supply adjusts to your baby’s needs, so it helps to feed whenever your child is hungry. You will know if you’re providing enough milk if your baby:
- Has six to eight really wet cloth nappies or five heavy disposable nappies in 24 hours
- Has soft bowel motions (at least one a day in the first couple of months)
- Generally settles after most feeds
- Has bright eyes and good skin tone
- Is gaining weight appropriate to age of the baby.
When babies can be weaned
The World Health Organization and health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate solids in the second six months and ongoing breastfeeding for two years or beyond.
When to wean is a decision mothers and babies need to make for themselves.
Partners can do a lot to help breastfeeding mums
Partners can do a lot to help mothers feed and care for their baby. They can provide support and encouragement to assist them through the difficult patches. Partners can help by:
- Finding out about breastfeeding
- Believing in their partner’s ability to breastfeed
- Taking an active role in the day-to-day care of the baby. Taking the baby for a walk, cuddling, changing nappies or bathing the baby gives partners an opportunity to get to know their baby.
Mastitis is a breast infection
Mastitis is an inflammation or infection in the breast. It can be caused by a cracked nipple, a blocked milk duct or an injury to the breast. The symptoms include:
- A sore, hard area of the breast
- A patch of red skin on the breast
- Feeling feverish and ill.
Commonly this is caused by an area of the breast being blocked. If you notice these symptoms in an area of your breast, you can clear it by massage, applying something warm or having a shower, and expressing or encouraging the baby to breastfeed from that side. See your doctor if you suspect mastitis – it’s easy to treat but can become serious if left untreated. It is important to keep feeding and/or express from the affected breast, since good drainage of the ducts will help.
Breastfeeding also has advantages for mothers
If you breastfeed, your uterus will return to its pre-pregnant size more quickly. For most women who are fully breastfeeding, the return to fertility is delayed and it also provides some protection against ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
Some women ovulate during breastfeeding, some women don’t. If it’s important for you not to fall pregnant again, seek family planning advice.
Breastfeeding and your sex life
Having a baby almost always changes your sex life, no matter how the baby is fed. Recovery from childbirth takes time and being a new mother can be exhausting. While many women combine breastfeeding with an active and enjoyable sex life, some women find that their interest in sex is less while they’re feeding. Be patient.
Breastfeeding and your social life
Breastfed babies are very portable. You can take your breastfed baby along to many of your usual activities, or store expressed milk in the fridge or freezer for a babysitter to feed the baby.
Where to get help
- Maternal and child health nurse
- Your local doctor
- Australian Breastfeeding Association Tel. (03) 9885 0653
- Your local community health centre
- Lactation consultant
- The Maternal and Child Health Line is available 24 hours a day Tel. 132 229.
Things to remember
- Breast milk gives your baby perfect nutrition and protection against infection.
- Breastfeeding, like any other learned skill, takes time, patience and practice.
- You can still fall pregnant even if you are fully breastfeeding.
- If you think you have mastitis, see your doctor.
You might also be interested in:
Asthma and breastfeeding.
Bottle feeding with expressed breast milk.
Breastfeeding - dealing with mastitis.
Breastfeeding - dealing with nipple problems.
Breastfeeding - deciding when to stop.
Breastfeeding - the first days.
Breastfeeding - when to start.
Breastfeeding and travel.
Breastfeeding and work.
Breastfeeding and your diet.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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