Your first months

You might now be thinking about getting out of the house more, or wondering about expressing so that your partner can share feeding duties. Whatever stage you're at, have a read of the pages below for useful tips and advice.

Top tips for carrying on with breastfeeding

Here's some ideas to help you begin to fit breastfeeding with your day-to-day life

FeedGood's top tips for the first few months

Join a breastfeeding support group or a parent and toddler group. You'll be able to chat with other breastfeeding mums and your little one can play with new friends!
Don't worry about having to buy a breastfeeding friendly wardrobe, just try breastfeeding in what you already have to see what you feel most confident in.
Wearing a sling should allow you to breastfeed and do other things at the same time - like putting a wash on or playing with another child.
Have a night out. Being a new mum is hard work, so make sure you take time to enjoy yourself!
If you drink alcohol, wait 2-3 hours before feeding so it has time to leave your system. Some mums choose to feed their baby expressed breastmilk for the first feed after a night out, but keep in mind that too long a gap between feeds can lead to engorgement.
If you plan on returning to work at some point, consider getting your baby used to expressed breastmilk earlier, rather than later. That way you can be sure your baby is happy drinking from a cup or bottle.

Expressing breast milk and bottle feeding

What to wear when you are breastfeeding

Find a breastfeeding support group in your local area

Building confidence and getting out and about

Getting used to breastfeeding in the first few months

Breastfeeding, diet and alcohol

Why breastfeed in the first few months?

If you can, continuing to breastfeed for the first few months is brilliant for your baby's health. It's recommended that you breastfeed exclusively for around 6 months, and then continue breastfeeding alongside solid food. The normal length of time to breastfeed is for 2 years or longer, but just aim to keep going for as long as you can.

Breast milk: still all your baby needs

Your milk is changing all the time to be perfectly suited to your baby as they grow, so it makes sense to breastfeed for as long as possible. Your breast milk still provides everything your baby needs and helps protect them from getting ill.

The more you breastfeed, the more milk you will have. Most babies aren't ready for solid foods until around six months, but even when they do, their main source of nutrients will still be milk for several months. For the best health advantages for your baby, it's important to carry on breastfeeding responsively to make sure you always make enough breast milk for your baby as they grow.

Why choose to breastfeed?

Finding help

Reasons to breastfeed for you

Reasons to breastfeed for baby

Getting used to breastfeeding in the first few months

Hopefully you're feeling pretty confident about breastfeeding now, and enjoying it! For many mums, the key to keeping up breastfeeding is working out how to breastfeed when they're out and about. You might want to just go and meet friends or join a toddler group or just get out for a walk!

Read on for tips on how to get help from the people around you and how to breastfeed when out and about, as well as help with other common queries you might have.

Expressing breast milk and bottle feeding

Talking to friends and family about your choice to breastfeed

Coping with breastfeeding at night

Should I have a routine by now?

Finding help

Building confidence and getting out and about

Days out and breastfeeding

Am I doing it right?

Now that you've been breastfeeding for a while you hopefully feel a lot more confident. If you're still having problems, like soreness or difficulty getting your baby to attach to the breast, don't worry. The pages below should help and you can always have a chat with your midwife/health visitor, or even pop in to a local breastfeeding support group.

Breastfeeding positions

Correct attachment

Breastfeeding at home

Getting support from family and friends

Learning your baby's cues

Finding help

Poor weight gain

Is my baby getting enough breast milk?

Because they can't see exactly how much milk a baby is drinking when breastfeeding, some mums worry if their growing baby is getting enough.

How much and how often?

All mums and babies are unique so it's impossible to give an exact 'right' amount, but as long as you feed when your baby tells you they are hungry and feed for as long as they want you can be pretty sure they're getting enough.

You can often tell how well your baby is feeding from their nappies - have a look at our page on 'Signs your baby might not be getting enough milk" to see what your baby's nappies should look like at this stage, or use our feeding checklist for some reassurance.

Signs your baby isn't getting enough milk

Refusing the breast

Feeding frequently and cluster feeding

Feeding checklist

Poor weight gain

Nutrition facts: your growing baby

Breast milk is still the only food your baby needs to grow into a healthy and happy child. It's not recommended you introduce solid food or other fluids until your baby is six months old

Healthy Start Vitamin D Drops

In Scotland we don't get enough sunlight for you to make it in your breast milk, so give your baby Healthy Start vitamin drops - most pharmacies stock them.

Why choose to breastfeed?

Helpful links to breastfeeding support

What should I look out for?

Breastfeeding is generally a painless, enjoyable experience and a lovely way to build a strong bond with your baby. However, there are certain uncomfortable and sometimes painful conditions that can affect some breastfeeding mums. Read on to find out what they are and how to deal with them.

Engorgement

Sore and cracked nipples

Mastitis

Thrush

Common breastfeeding concerns for mum

Leaking breasts

Expressing breast milk and bottle feeding

How can I meet other breastfeeding mums like me?

Days out and breastfeeding