Are you having problems breastfeeding? You’re not alone. Breastfeeding expert Olivia Hinge is here to help with tips, techniques and down-to-earth advice
I’m an NHS midwife, lactation consultant and mum of three and I’m passionate about supporting families to feed their babies in a way that works for them. Whether you choose to breastfeed, formula feed or do a mix of both, everyone needs help and guidance.
You’ve probably heard about the benefits of breastfeeding. For instance, breast milk not only reduces the risk of certain health issues for both you and baby, but it also adapts to your baby’s needs. So, if you have a stinking cold, your milk will contain antibodies to protect your baby from it.
But breastfeeding can be challenging in the early days, so I’ve tackled some of your biggest issues below. Read on for help with sore nipples, breastfeeding in public and more.
Q: My baby is one week old and I'm struggling with breastfeeding. My nipples are sore and my breasts feel uncomfortable. I really want to continue though, as I know it's best for baby. Do you have any advice?
A: Sore nipples are really common. Although breastfeeding is natural, it’s a skill you and your baby have to learn together. It sounds like you could have a shallow latch (attachment to the breast), so once you deepen or tweak your latch, your pain should get better. This will also allow your baby to feed more effectively – doing less work for more milk – meaning your breasts will hopefully feel less engorged, or painfully full. Your baby should gain weight well and your milk supply should be exactly what they need.
So how do you deepen your latch? When your baby latches on to your breast, you want them to have as big a mouthful of nipple and areola (the flat dark bit) as possible. This allows your nipple to travel to the back of your baby’s mouth, where there’s a perfect soft area just after the bony roof of their mouth.
Your nipple can double or even triple in length during a feed, so when a baby latches on in the first couple of weeks you may get a toe-curling feeling as your nipple gets to that soft area. So, pain in the first 30 seconds is common, but after that it should disappear completely; your nipple shouldn’t still feel “pinchy”; nor should it change shape or colour after a feed. If any of this happens ask your midwife or health visitor for help.
Q: I'm breastfeeding but I know that everything I eat and drink is passed on to my baby and my diet is rubbish to be honest. Would it be better to switch to formula?
A: The beauty of breastfeeding is that you can have a bad diet and your milk is still amazing. No matter what you eat there’s still going to be up to 3 million germ-fighting cells per teaspoon of breastmilk, plus the minerals and vitamins your baby needs. The only exception is vitamin D. It’s recommended that you give breastfed babies a vitamin D supplement of 8.5 to 10 mcg per day, whether or not you are taking a supplement yourself. Read more about vitamin D and breastfeeding here.
Some babies are sensitive to caffeine, which can make them a little restless, so the NHS advises that you consume no more than 300mg caffeine a day. With alcohol, it’s considered safe for a mother to consume a moderate amount of alcohol occasionally and to continue to breastfeed. It’s your personal decision. It’s worth knowing that it takes 2-3 hours for alcohol to leave your breast milk; pumping and discarding milk doesn’t speed this process up. Find the NHS guidance on alcohol and breastfeeding here.
It’s you who may be feeling depleted if your diet isn’t as great as it could be. Balancing life with a baby and eating healthily can be hard, so why not take a breastfeeding multivitamin?
Q: I seem to be constantly breastfeeding and it's making me feel trapped. I'm stuck on the sofa for hours. The house is a mess. How can I get into a routine?
A: I absolutely know what you mean, I’ve been there, and it can feel so frustrating. Firstly, no matter how you feed your baby, you’re going to spend hours looking at the dust on the floor and the mess everywhere, and you’re going to feel frustrated that you can’t achieve all you did pre-baby. And we really need to cut ourselves some slack for this. Growing and nurturing a baby is a massive job.
Secondly let’s talk about getting your baby into a breastfeeding routine. Think about yourself. Do you only eat during strict time windows? Do you deny yourself a drink of water until a certain time? Most likely not, and that’s why I recommend feeding on demand. We want our babies to know that we listen to, and respect, their hunger and fullness cues. If we delay breastfeeds to fit a schedule, not only does it make the baby unhappy, but it can reduce our milk supply, increase reflux and even limit baby’s weight gain.
The first few months of breastfeeding can feel relentless and overwhelming, but all those early breastfeeds are building your milk supply and ensuring you’ll have enough milk in the coming months. By the time your baby is two to three months old, feeding tends to ease up and you will find your natural pattern.
Q: I don't like the idea of breastfeeding in public, so haven't left the house much. My baby is three weeks old now. Do you have any advice to make it easier?
A: This is a common worry. Perhaps you think you’ll be the only one breastfeeding while out and about, but once you start yourself, you become aware of many mums doing the same. You just didn’t notice before.
Wearing the right clothing makes a massive difference. You can wear specific nursing clothes or do as I do and wear “one up, one down.” Wear a vest under a top, so your tummy stays covered, then pull your bra and vest down and your top up, latch your baby, then move your top so it covers your chest. With bigger breasts you may still feel exposed, so try a nursing cover. One other tip is to turn away to latch your baby, get them on, then turn back into the café or restaurant.
Legally you have the right to breastfeed anywhere you fancy; it’s discrimination to ask you to stop or leave. The hardest bit is usually that first public feed but give it a go and I think you’ll find it’s less daunting than you expect.
Q: I've tried to express milk so my partner can give my baby a bottle sometimes, as he's been feeling excluded, but I could only get a tiny bit out. Can you help?
A: There are several ways to make pumping easier and more effective:
First, make sure your breast pump has the right “flange” size. This is the plastic part of the pump that sits on your breast; unlike a baby’s mouth, you only want your nipple in the “tunnel” part. Most pumps come with flanges that are too big! To measure what size flange you need, use a tape measure to measure the widest part of your nipple in millimetres (when it’s erect) then add 2-4mm. You should be able to buy one to fit from your pump manufacturer. The correct-size flange will mean you pump a lot more milk, more comfortably.
Massage and compress your breast as you pump. This can mean you collect up to 48% more milk, so that’s an easy win.
Try to make pumping an oxytocin activity. This “love hormone” signals to our body to let down or release our milk. To boost oxytocin, you could look at pictures of your little one, listen to your favourite music, or relax using mindfulness techniques.
One great tip is to cover the pump bottles with baby socks to stop you from obsessively checking how much you’ve pumped!
Mornings are usually the most plentiful in terms of milk, so try pumping an hour after your first feed of the day.
There are many things your partner can do to bond with your baby besides feeding. Wearing the baby in a sling, bathing with the baby, or singing and reading to them can all be wonderful ways to build a meaningful connection. Also remember that weaning onto solids will start soon, at around six months, so perhaps your partner could take the lead on this.
Q: I'm thinking about giving my 5-week-old baby bottles of formula sometimes, so I have a little more freedom, is that okay?
A: It is absolutely okay to do whatever feels right for you and your family. If you give your baby occasional bottles of formula, it most likely won’t affect your milk supply. Your breasts may feel a little full at the time you’d usually feed though, so you may need to hand express or pump a little for your comfort.
It’s worth considering that formula feed doesn’t have the immune-supporting features of breastmilk, and it can also alter the balance of good and bad bacteria in your baby’s gut. But finding a balance that works for you is so important. For some women, giving the occasional bottle of formula means they breastfeed for longer, which is great.
Find more breastfeeding advice from Olivia on her Instagram account @olivia_lactation_consultant and check out the NHS guide to breastfeeding support here.
