Breastfeeding in the beginning

Firstly remember that breastfeeding is a learned art - both for you and your baby. Don't panic if everything doesn't fall into place straight away - there is lots of help out there so make sure you shout! Your maternity hospital should provide you with information on local support groups such as Cuidi u (in Ireland), the NCT (UK) or La Leche League, your local health nurse may also run a group. If you have friends or family members who have successfully breastfed then ask them for any advice or tips they might have, These friends will also be great to call on when you decide to feed your baby in a public place for the first time - moral support is invaluable in taking this step. It is probably a good idea for you to try to attend at least one support group meeting BEFORE your baby is born - this can make a huge difference in the early days when you know what to expect and know who tocall.

Get plenty of rest - cooking and cleaning can wait, you're doing a far more important job! Eat to hunger and drink to thirst. Make sure you are seated comfortably in a chair with good back support and use a foot stool if necessary. Most importantly make sure you have your TV remote control, books, magazines, phone and mobile to hand - you can be guaranteed that as soon as you are sitting comfortably and just have baby latched on and the phone will ring - especially if you don't have it beside you!

Positioning your baby is important - remember the mantra "Tummy to Mummy, Nipple to Nose" - make sure your baby is lying with his or her tummy turned towards you so that their neck is straight and they are not trying to feed with their head turned (try taking a drink with your head turned to one side and you'll see that it's not exactly easy!). Position your nipple at their nose and as they root for it gently move it down towards their open mouth - this helps to make sure that the largest amount of areola is taken in and positioned properly. If it doesn't feel right then break the latch by gently pushing your (clean) little finger between the side of their mouth and your breast to break the vacuum (never pull the baby from the breast without breaking the vacuum as you could really damage your nipple that way) and reposition the baby again - keep doing it until you are both happy. Feeding should not hurt (although in the early days a little discomfort when baby latches on first is not uncommon) - if you find nursing painful then call for help as soon as you can - neglecting it can lead to further problems.

Try to eat regular, healthy snacks and meals. There is no need to radically cut out major food groups from your diet - and the vast majority of women don't need to eliminate dairy/wheat/curry/cauliflower/beans/onions from their diet.

Make sure that the bra you are wearing is the correct size bra to ensure that your breasts are correctly supported and reduce the risk of blocked ducts or mastitis.

Knowing when baby is latched on properly:

The baby should have most or all of your areola in their mouth (this is the dark part of your breast surrounding your nipple) - remember it's called BREASTfeeding not Nipple feeding!

Knowing your baby is getting enough:

Many women worry that if they are breastfeeding that it's difficult to know how much their baby is taking and if it's enough. The following are some of the signs that your baby is getting enough milk (but if you have any concerns about your baby's intake or development we strongly recommend that you seek further help/reassurance from either your health visitor or a group like La Leche League).

Initially babies need to feed as much as 12-14 times in a 24 hour period - this is intense but important for your supply to develop. A baby's tummy is tiny - about the size of it's clenched fist so it empties very quickly!

Your baby appears content after a feed (that wonderful milk drunk look you''ll come to treasure!).

Wet and dirty nappies - remember if it isn't going in, it can't be coming out. (In the early days it can be difficult to tell with a disposable if the baby has done a wee or not - it's much easier to tell in a cloth nappy.) For the first few weeks your baby will probably poo at each feed (or even more than that!), this will settle down after a few weeks and it's not unusual for an exclusively breastfed baby to go for a week without a poo - this does not mean that your baby is constipated but that your baby is literally using every bit of milk and not wasting any! They should always produce wet nappies.

Most importantly but possibly the most difficult one: Try to enjoy this special time with your baby. Believe me, this time will pass so, so quickly (though it might seem to drag endlessly at the start!) and before you know it your teeny, tiny baba is walking and talking and those days of dreamy, quiet feeds where you were lost in each other's gaze are long gone!

Aileen xx

BG Nappies