Skin to skin

As much skin to skin as possible this is wonderful for bonding, stabilising your baby’s temperature, heart rate and oxygen levels its also great for increasing your oxytocin levels which help you bond with your new baby

Hand expressing & Pumping

If your baby is unable to feed at the breast start hand expressing / pumping as soon as possible in the first 24 hours. The next 7 days are important for establishing your milk supply so regular effective removal of milk is important. This can be done initially by hand expression and then pumping, if your baby is unable to feed at the breast. It is so helpful to have support from someone who is experienced with helping mothers to breastfeed during this time. So if you’re in hospital speak to the infant feeding team. If you’re at home then you can use a breastfeeding support group or a Lactation Consultant.

As much breastmilk as possible

Give as much breastmilk as possible to your baby. Colostrum is made by you specifically for your unique and individual baby! Breastmilk also has so many amazing properties that are not found in formula. Such as being able to promote a mechanism in your baby’s gut which helps protect them against childhood tumours.

Offer the breast as much as you are able to

This will be specific to you and your baby’s situation. Offer the breast as often and as much as you are able to. This helps to establish breastfeeding and your supply. It also is a wonderful way of bonding with your new baby.

Seek early breastfeeding support

Get in touch with the infant feeding team in the hospital and from outside the hospital for when you go home. If your local area run breastfeeding groups then these are excellent for support from people who are trained to help and from other breastfeeding mums.