Newborns feed very frequently in the early weeks (8-12 times in 24 hours), these frequent feeds are important to establish milk supply and feeds usually reduce in length and/or frequency as baby grows.  Night feeds help ensure that baby gets enough milk and help to reduce engorgement.  Skin to skin contact can calm baby and it regulates baby’s temperature and blood sugar. 

The early days can be tiring but they do pass.  La Leche League Leaders are here to support you and you are welcome to call your local Leader Find Local Support or use our Contact Form for one to one support. 

For more information 

https://www.laleche.org.uk/beginning-breastfeeding/

Sore nipples can occur in the first few days of breastfeeding, the good news is that often a small tweak or two can make breastfeeding comfortable and sore nipples can heal very quickly once baby is latching deeply.  For a deep latch many mums find that lying back to feed helps baby to open wide and latch effectively.  If the nipple has been damaged then it may be uncomfortable at the start of the feed but once the milk is flowing it should feel comfortable.  Hand expressing a small amount before latching baby can speed up the “let down” of milk.  If breastfeeding is painful during the feed then it is worth unlatching baby gently by popping a finger in baby’s mouth and trying again.  For more information on latching please get in touch with your local Leader Find Local Support or use our contact form for one to one support 

For more information

https://www.laleche.org.uk/comfortable-breastfeeding/

If nipples become sore after a few weeks or months of breastfeeding comfortably then the causes can vary. Sometimes baby’s latch can change when teething and going back to basics of making sure baby is tummy to tummy with head tipped well back can help remind baby to latch deeply.  Thrush can also cause nipple pain and there are over the counter treatments that can help.

For more information

https://www.laleche.org.uk/nipple-pain/ 

Sometimes a breast can become sore and inflamed. It has been described by some as feeling like a hard lump or a bruise and there may be an area of redness. Applying ice or cold packs can help reduce inflammation and resting allows you time to recover. Breastfeeding as normal, including breastfeeding from the affected breast helps to avoid engorgement. Gentle lymphatic massage can help to clear excess fluids from the area of inflammation. This link includes information on treating mastitis and when antibiotics may be necessary. 

https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/mastitis

For more tips and support please do get in touch with your local Leader Find Local Support or use our Contact Form for one to one support.

Babies can be unsettled for many reasons and it can sometimes take time and effort to work out the cause. It is very normal for a baby to get upset when separated from a caregiver’s loving arms and many families find using a sling allows them to keep baby close and still have their hands free to get something to eat or care for other children.  It can be worrying if your baby is unsettled, uncomfortable, distressed or in pain especially if breastfeeding and keeping baby close don’t resolve it.  A La Leche League Leader would be happy to help.  Please get in touch with your local Leader or use our contact form for one to one support 

Further links

https://llli.org/why-infant-reflux-matters/

https://www.laleche.org.uk/unhappy-baby/

Night feeds are important for establishing milk supply as prolactin levels are high at night.  Babies and toddlers frequently need parenting at nighttime and meeting their needs while getting enough sleep yourself can be a challenge.  Sleep is often discussed at La Leche League meetings and chatting with other parents can help you find solutions that work for your family, you are not alone.  Some tips that have helped other parents include:

• Sleep when baby sleeps, it is easier to nap if you only have one child but some parents find that heading to bed at the children’s bedtime once or twice a week can make a world of difference.
• Don’t look at the clock or phone, many mothers have found that not knowing what time or for how long baby was awake can make a difference when coping with interrupted sleep.
• Research safe bedsharing, two thirds of breastfeeding parents will bedshare with their baby at some point.  Even if you never intend to bedshare, it is good to know the facts on how to do it safely in case you accidentally fall asleep while breastfeeding lying down.  It is never recommended to sleep with baby on an armchair or sofa and 4am is not an easy time to start researching safe bedsharing.
• Avoid unnecessary disturbance, a wet nappy may not need to be changed until morning unless it is very full and low lights can help Mum and baby fall back asleep more easily.  
• Ask for support.  Dad or another adult can change baby’s nappy after feeds and may keep them content for a while so Mum can stay in bed a little longer.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your local Leader or use our contact form for one to one support 

For more information:

link safe sleep 7

https://www.laleche.org.uk/safe-sleep-the-breastfed-baby/

Yes, human milk is very important for premature babies as it helps protect baby from complications associated with prematurity.  While in Skin-to-skin contact, premature babies can smell and taste milk from the mother’s breast and with support can learn to latch and suckle effectively.  This may take time and we encourage you to seek support from your local La Leche League Leader who will be happy to offer information and encouragement.

Further information

https://www.laleche.org.uk/successfully-breastfeeding-premature-baby/

Expressing milk via hand expressing or a manual or electric pump can be a useful skill if baby isn’t nursing effectively or if mum and baby are separated and it may be necessary if baby needs extra milk.  

In the early weeks breastfeeding from both breasts helps match milk supply to baby’s demand.  If there is no medical need for extra milk then pumping in the early weeks can sometimes lead to oversupply or, in the case of a mum who has difficulty extracting milk with a pump, it can lead to undue worry about supply.  

When pumping or hand expressing it helps to be sitting comfortably and relaxing.  Massaging the breasts gently can help stimulate a let-down and hand expressing after electric pumping can increase pumping output.

For more tips on pumping or hand expressing please get in touch with your local Leader  or use the contact form

Further information

https://www.laleche.org.uk/expressing-your-milk/

Healthy babies usually thrive on breastmilk alone until around six months old.  At this time baby is usually able to sit up with minimal support and is reaching for items and bringing them to his mouth.  These are good indicators that baby is ready for solids in addition to human milk.  Waiting until around the middle of baby’s first year to introduce solids means that food does not need to be puréed to make it safe for baby as at this age baby can usually chew or gum food before swallowing.  Having baby in a safe chair at the family table or on an adult’s lap and offering foods the family normally eat without added salt or sugar helps baby participate at mealtimes.  

You will hear other parents’ experiences of the foods their babies started eating at La Leche League meetings or you can contact your local Leader for tips.

Further information on solids

https://www.laleche.org.uk/starting-solid-food/

All babies stop breastfeeding when they outgrow the need.  How long a child breastfeeds varies for every family.  If you wish to stop breastfeeding then gradually reducing feeds, either in duration or frequency, can encourage baby to wean off breastfeeding and help prevent engorgement.  If baby is under a year old then please check with a health professional about what to offer instead of breastmilk.    

Many mothers have found distraction a useful tool when reducing breastfeeding and other tips include holding baby cheek to cheek to help meet their need for contact when no longer breastfeeding.  

Weaning from breastfeeding can be an emotional time, a La Leche League Leader would be happy to support you, you can find your nearest Leader here.

Further information

https://www.laleche.org.uk/thinking-of-weaning/