Top 5 Tips for Breastfeeding Success

1. Think and learn about breastfeeding before your baby arrives

A lot of people (understandably) focus their energy and reading on birth, but don’t feel prepared for what comes afterwards. Talk to your midwife or a lactation expert about what to expect and how to optimise your chances for successful feeding (and about what to expect with a newborn in general) 

2. It’s almost always about the latch and position

Nipple pain and damage, baby fussiness at the breast, blocked ducts, mastitis and low supply…  these common problems are often a result of a suboptimal latch and position so focusing on these are key to preventing and managing the problems 

3. Seek help early if you’re having problems 

If you are experiencing any of the common problems in the early days- seek help from a local lactation specialist. If there are issues with the latch and position, addressing this early can help to avoid many complications from worsening and snowballing. If you have been advised to start “top ups” before leaving hospital then make sure someone is helping you with the plan moving forward (including how to reduce top ups, when it’s safe and if your goal is exclusive breastfeeding) 

4. Look after yourself- and accept offers for help  

Having a newborn is incredible! But can also be incredibly hard. Your breastmilk supply can be affected by pain, severe sleep deprivation, dehydration and not eating enough- if others are offering to help hold your baby while you have a nap or shower/ cook you a meal/ take your older child, let them! We all know it feels good to be able to help someone practically in a time of need 

5. If you want or need to use bottles in the early days - learn how to do paced bottle feeding

If top ups have been recommended by a health professional, or if you’re needing to temporarily rest from feeding due to nipple damage, make sure that you and anyone else giving your baby a bottle knows how to do “paced bottle feeding”. This will minimise the chances of your baby developing a bottle flow preference which can lead to problems with breastfeeding, if direct feeding your goal