Essential guide to feeding & caring for your baby - Cornwall 2O22 - Cornwall Council
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Essential guide
to feeding & caring
for your baby Cornwall 2O22
www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk
Talk to a parent who knows
about breastfeeding
What's in this guide...
3...... While you are pregnant
4...... Why breastfeed?
5 ..... A Baby Friendly Hospital and Community since 2012
6...... Conversations
7...... Skin to skin contact
8 ..... Items to bring with you
9 ..... Your baby’s amazing brain
10.... How will I know what my baby needs?
11..... How your baby tells you they need feeding
11..... What if I’m not breastfeeding?
12.... Milk for your baby from birth
13.... Breastmilk supply
14.... Hand expressing
15.... What can I do if my baby does not want to feed?
16.... How to breastfeed
20.... Successful feeding
21.... How do I know my baby is feeding well?
22.... How can I make sure breastfeeding is going well?
23.... What is in a nappy?
24.... Caring for your baby at night
25.... Sharing a bed with your baby
26.... Breastfeeding challenges
27.... What about formula milk?
28.... Starting solid foods mm
ComwalJ a.nd ls#ts of Scilly
29.... Going back to work or study
30.... Looking after yourself COIINWAl.l.
30.... Baby and family
COUNCI
31.... Breastfeeding out and about Council of lh~
ISLES OF SCILLY
32.... Support information
The content of the Essential Guide is written by Helen Shanahan, Midwife (RM) and International Board Certified Lactation
Consultant (IBCLC) and Stephanie Heard, Health Visitor (HV) and reviewed by Ruth Fromow (IBCLC and HV), Janey Ashton,
Association of Tongue-tie Practitioners (IBCLC, RM) and Shannon McGill-Randall (RM).
Front Cover: Photographer: Lea Csontos, Stocksy. Photographers: Patrick Shanahan, Katy Blake, Gavin Tyler and Harriet Armstrong.
Parents and Babies: Emily & Miles, Lucy, Byron, Milly, Jake & Reuben, Jess & Harvey, Ross & Jesse, Jay, Ben, Idris & Ella, Lidwina & Milo,
Simon & Letty, Cath & Dominic, Jennifer & Lawrence, Clare & Elijah, Alana & Leo, Sammy & Toby, Sam &
Paige, Natasha & Isaac, Tracey & Elijah, Roccio & baby, Steve, Alex & Lowen, Katie & Arlo, Jamie, Adilena &
Ordella, Helen, Nick & Ernie, Sam & Nancy, Bill & Lyra, Hannah Kemp, Angela & Finn, Raksha & Rhythm, WORLD
Molly & Lowen, Dominic, Samson & Edward. Stock Photos,istockphoto.com, 123FR.com. Thanks to
Falmouth Library and Gylly Beach Café. Graphic design: Gavin Tyler ·. LAND
Fifthteenth Edition, Printed January 2022. Real Baby Milk is a project of Pollenn CIC. TRUSTTM
Printed with Carbon Balanced paper and printing.
2 www.carbonbalancedpaper.com
While you are pregnant
You can begin to bond with your baby from the moment you find out you
are pregnant.
20 WEEKS
• your baby becomes more active
• your baby can hear your heartbeat and some outside noises
• your baby can swallow
• your baby has eyebrows, eyelashes and fingernails
24 WEEKS
• your baby has taste buds
• your baby has fingerprints and footprints
• your baby sleeps and wakes often
• your baby can hear voices
• your baby can be startled by loud noises
28 WEEKS
• your baby’s eyes can open
• your baby senses light and dark
• your baby’s body is ready to start breathing
37 WEEKS
• your baby can kick, wriggle and stretch.
• your baby is ready to be born within the
next month
Talking to your kiss Calm
baby while you are
pregnant will help LOVE Oxytocin
you get to know Cuddle
each other and TOUCH
helps your baby’s
brain to develop.
3
Why breastfeed?
Breastfeeding helps protect your baby from
• severe diarrhoea and vomiting • becoming overweight
• chest infections • asthma
• eczema • coughs and colds
• cot death • diabetes
• ear infections
Breastfeeding helps protect you from
• ovarian and breast cancer
• becoming overweight because breastfeeding helps with weight loss
• osteoporosis which is a condition that affects bone strength.
Breastfeeding helps the uterus to return to its usual shape and size following
the birth of your baby. Sometimes this may feel very uncomfortable as you may
experience small contractions or ‘afterpains’ which help the uterus to shrink, but
this is a normal part of recovering from birth.
Healthy Start
You could get free vitamins and help with
the cost of food. Ask your Midwife or Health
Visitor about the Healthy Start Scheme.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for health.
You should take a daily tablet of
Vitamin D while you are pregnant.
You and your baby should both have
Vitamin D daily after the birth.
Ask your Midwife or Health Visitor
how to give it to your baby.
4
A ‘Baby Friendly’ hospital and
Community in Cornwall since 2O12
UNICEF runs an accreditation programme for Perinatal services which meet
set standards. The programme is called the ‘Baby Friendly Initiative’.
A ‘Baby Friendly’ service will meet a standard of care which ensures:
• during pregnancy you will have a full discussion about caring for
and feeding your baby, including the benefits of breastfeeding
• you will be given all the facts you need to make an informed choice
• you will be given your baby to hold on your skin straight after they are born
• a midwife will offer to help you to start breastfeeding
in the first hours after your baby is born
• your baby will be kept with you at all times. We will encourage you to respond to
your babies needs for food comfort and closeness.
If you decide to breastfeed:
• a midwife will show you how to hold your baby and how to help them latch on
– this will make sure they get enough milk and that feeding is not painful
• you will be given information about how to breastfeed
and how to make enough milk for your baby
• a midwife will offer to show you how to express your milk by hand
• your baby will not be given water or formula milk unless there is a medical reason
• you will receive information about the support available
for breastfeeding once you leave hospital
• your Health Visiting Team will continue to support breastfeeding
• we will encourage you to respond to your
babies needs for food comfort and closeness
• you will be given information on how to
transition your baby to solid food at 6 months
• you will have access to Breastfeeding
Peer support groups.
If you decide to Formula feed, staff will support
you to feed your baby responsively, show you how
to make up a bottle safely and will answer any
questions you have.
5
Conversations you can expect to have during
pregnancy, with your midwife
Please tick once you have had this conversation.
Ways you can connect with your baby
q Why you should take time out to connect with your unborn baby
q What is oxytocin and how does it support your baby’s brain development?
q How talking to your baby, noticing and responding to movements, and
getting other family members and friends involved can help increase oxytocin
Skin to skin
q Why skin to skin contact is so valuable
Responding to your baby’s needs
q How closeness, comfort and love help your baby’s brain grow
q What is responsive feeding, and feeding cues?
q Paced bottle feeding (if applicable)
Breastfeeding
q What is the value of breastfeeding for you and your baby?
q How to get breastfeeding off to a good start
What support you can expect after your baby is born
Please tick once completed
After birth
q Unhurried skin to skin contact
q Support with offering the first feed in skin to skin contact
Postnatal period
q Talk about the importance of closeness and responsiveness
q How to hold your baby for feeding
q Understand responsive feeding
Breastfeeding
q Support with hand expressing
q Discuss the value of exclusive breastfeeding
q How to recognise your baby is getting enough milk
q How to access help with feeding at home
Parents who formula feed
q Discussions about sterilising equipment and making up feeds
q Why feeding your baby first infant formula until 1 year is recommended
q How to pace bottle feed
q Why limiting the people who feed your baby is important
6
Skin to skin contact kiss Calm
• keeps baby warm LOVE Oxytocin
Cuddle
• keeps parent and baby calm
TOUCH
• helps with baby’s first feed.
You and your baby should have skin to skin contact after birth.
Midwives or other staff will help you. You should stay skin to skin
for as long as possible. Try to do it for an hour or until baby’s first feed.
• skin to skin means there are no clothes or blankets between you and your
baby. You can have a blanket over both of you but make sure it’s not higher
than baby’s shoulders. Ask somebody to help you
• you can breastfeed your baby in skin to skin contact
• if you are not breastfeeding you can bottle feed your baby while holding
them in skin to skin contact
• If you can’t have your baby skin to skin with
you straight after they are born, it is a good
idea to start this as soon as your baby or
you are well enough
• This will help you and your baby
to feel close and happy
7
Items to bring with you
Recommended:
P antenatal hand held notes
P this book
P comfortable sleep wear or T-shirt
P shorts or tracksuit bottoms
P underwear
P socks
P slippers or flip flops
P maternity pads or night-time sanitary pads
P 1 or 2 maternity or nursing bras
P breastpads
P wash bag with toiletries
P drinks and snacks for you and your birth partner
P money for snacks
P mobile phone and charger
P dressing gown
P lip balm
P pillow
P music speaker
For your baby:
P newborn nappies
P cotton wool balls
P sleepsuits and vests
P newborn cardigan with hat and socks
P baby blankets
P infant car seat
If you are planning to fomula feed your
baby please bring bottles, brushes and
ready made formula.
Pack everything into just 1 or 2 bags as
you will not have much space in hospital.
8
Your baby’s amazing brain
After birth your baby’s brain is still growing.
To help them develop, your baby needs comfort, closeness and food.
You and your partner will be the most important people to your baby.
• keep your baby close
• spend time with your baby
• talk and sing to your baby
• take time to learn how your baby
asks for your help
• help your baby when they tell
you they need you
• try not to leave baby to cry
• hold your baby in skin to skin contact
• use a baby carrier or sling
• read or tell stories
• play games
These things will
help your baby to:
• bond with you
• learn and develop
• grow into a
secure child
• cope with being
away from you
when they are older
Safe secure play
LOVE
Oxytocin
Learning
You and your partner will be the most important people to your baby. Stories that
you read, the songs you sing and games you play together will help with learning.
9
How will I know what
my baby needs?
Keep your baby close to you in the first days and weeks after they are born.
This will:
• help you get to know each other Happy Calms
hormone
• help you know when your baby wants feeding LOVE Oxytocin
• help your baby feel safe and cared for Helps learning
SAFE
Hold and cuddle
your baby
• this helps them feel safe
and loved
• it helps you and your baby
to be happy
Comforting your baby when they cry is less stressful for you and your baby.
Talk and listen
to your baby
• talk to your baby as often
as you can
• when talking to your baby
eye contact is good
• babies like a smiling face
• talking to your baby will
help them learn to talk
10
10How your baby tells you
they need feeding
• hands to mouth
• turning head
• licking lips
• mouthing
• squeaking noises
• light fussing
It will be harder to feed your baby if you wait for them to cry.
Hold your baby close and look into their eyes when you feed.
What if I’m not breastfeeding?
Try to make feeding a happy and relaxed time together.
Smiles
Love
Let your baby take the lead:
• learn how your baby tells you that they want a feed OXYTOCIN
• let your baby take the teat when ready, don’t force it in Calms
• stop when your baby wants to
• wind your baby gently during and after the feed
Little and often is normal:
• your baby will want less at some feeds and more at others
• do not give very large feeds
• let your baby take time to drink slowly
Feed times help you get to know each other:
• hold your baby close
• make eye contact, talk and smile at your baby while feeding
You must take care with cleaning and making bottles of formula milk or your baby
could become ill.
• wash bottles and teats in warm soapy water, rinse and sterilise
• wash your hands and use a clean space to make a bottle of formula
• make each feed as and when it is needed
• follow the instructions on the formula milk powder container to make up a feed
Ask your Midwife or Health Visitor if you are not sure about how to do this.
11
11Milk for your baby from birth
Your baby needs to have small amounts of the first breastmilk, called colostrum
and to have this often.
Colostrum is thick and concentrated.
It is clear, white, yellow, green or red.
It protects your baby from infections.
It clears baby’s tummy of sticky first poos, called meconium..
It is good for your baby to:
Love
• feed when they want to OXYTOCIN
• feed as often as they want Helps make milk
• feed for as long as they want
Your baby has a tiny stomach, about the size of a marble.
The amount of milk your baby takes gets more each day.
You will make the right amount of breastmilk for your baby.
Your baby’s stomach is made for breastmilk.
Not having any breastmilk at all may lead to health problems.
Even if you don’t want to fully breastfeed, any breastfeeds or breastmilk
that you do give to your baby will be good for them and for you.
12
12Breastmilk supply
Breastmilk is a living liquid made to fight infections and give your baby all the food
and drink they need.
It keeps changing to meet the needs of your growing baby.
You can ask your Midwife or Health Visitor for extra help to learn how to breastfeed.
5-7ml
At day 2 or 3
about a Your breasts will make as much milk as your baby drinks.
teaspoon
Size of stomach Your baby might want to feed very often.
at day 1
This is not a sign that there is not enough milk.
Baby’s belly fills up quickly and also empties quickly.
Giving formula milk means less breastmilk will be made.
At day 3 or 4
Your breasts may feel fuller and heavier.
22-27ml
less than an ounce Feed baby whenever they ask so your breasts know
how much milk they need to make.
Size of stomach
at day 3 You might feel very emotional.
This is normal and usually calms down after a day or two.
If you’re worried, speak to your Midwife or Health Visitor.
At day 5
It is normal for baby to lose a little weight.
60-80ml
2-3 ounces
Carry on feeding your baby when they show you that
they want it.
Size of stomach
at day 5 Give at least 8 feeds every day and at least 1 at night.
This will help your breasts make plenty of milk.
Growth spurts and cluster feeding
These can happen around:
Week 3, 5, 6,and 12.
Your baby might want to feed much more often for a few days. This is normal.
It is your baby’s way of telling your breasts to make more milk.
Don’t worry, there is still enough milk and you don’t need to give formula.
Giving formula may reduce your breastmilk supply.
13
13Hand expressing
Expressing means taking milk from your breasts.
It is useful if:
• your breasts are very full and baby finds it hard to attach
• your breasts feel full and uncomfortable
• you need to provide milk to feed to your baby if baby is not feeding at the breast
1. find a small clean container to catch the milk,
sterilise it if baby is under six months
2. wash and dry your hands
3. gently stroke your breasts and roll the nipple between
your thumb and finger.
4. place your fingers and thumb on your breast
like this picture
4. press back towards your body
5. bring your finger and thumb together gently
6. catch the drops of milk in the cup or bowl
7. don’t slide your fingers over your skin
8. when the drops slow, move your hand
around and try again
9. try the other breast as well
Storing breastmilk
At room temperature: 8 hours
In the fridge: 8 days
In the freezer: 6 months
This may be different if your baby was early or is poorly. Check with your Midwife,
Health Visitor or the staff caring for you or your baby
14
14What can I do if my baby does
not want to feed?
This could be because of:
Calms
• a stressful birth skin to skin
• separation from you LOVE
• being ill Oxytocin
• medication
• sometimes there is no clear reason
Breastfeeding takes patience. These things will help:
• keep your baby skin to skin
• try laid back feeding
• hand express colostrum
• you can give this to your baby with your finger. Make sure your hands are
clean and nails are short
• ask your Midwife for help
• keep expressing and giving your colostrum every 2 hours
15
15How to breastfeed
There are lots of ways to hold your baby to breastfeed,
but whatever you choose it is important you check that:
• you are comfortable
• your baby is close to your body and facing your breast
• your baby doesn’t have to twist their head to
reach your breast
• your baby’s head is free to move back
• your baby’s nose is near your nipple
When your baby opens their mouth wide, bring baby in to
the breast gently and quickly.
Your baby needs to have a big mouthful of breast.
Your nipple needs to be at the back of their mouth.
Laid back feeding
• great after birth
• can help with skin to skin
16
16Cradle Hold
• your hand needs to be supporting your
baby’s shoulders
• when your baby has a big open mouth
bring your baby in to your breast quickly
• your other hand can shape the breast
if you want
• your baby’s head needs to be free
to tilt back
view from above
17
17Cross Cradle Hold
Hold baby with the opposite arm to cradle hold.
• fingers under the baby’s neck to support their head
• support your baby’s shoulders
• your arm tucks baby’s body close to you
• when baby’s mouth is open wide, press against baby’s shoulders to bring
towards the breast
view from above
18
18Under Arm
• place baby on a pillow a bit lower
than your breast
• put pillows behind your back so
baby’s feet can’t push the back of
the seat
• put your fingers under baby’s neck
to support their head
• baby’s head needs to be free to
move back
Lying down
Useful if:
• it hurts to sit up
• you need to rest
Make sure that your baby is still safe
even if you fall asleep. Ask somebody
to help you or keep an eye on you.
• lie on your side with your baby
facing you
• bend your legs slightly but not
enough to touch your baby’s legs
• make sure your arm is not pressing
on your baby’s head
• when baby’s mouth is open wide,
press against baby’s shoulders to
bring towards the breast
19
19Successful Feeding
It is important that your baby is attached to the breast well so that:
• your baby takes lots of milk and grows
• you make plenty of milk
• you don’t develop problems like sore nipples
Make sure that:
• your baby’s head neck and body are in a straight line and they are facing
your breast. Your baby won’t be able to feed well if they have to twist to
reach your breast
• you hold your baby to support their shoulders.
Their head needs to be free to tilt back
If you are not sure if your baby is correctly attached, ask a Midwife,
Health Visitor or Peer Supporter.
20
20How do I know if my baby is
feeding well?
Your baby should:
P have a large mouthful of breast
P have their chin pressed into
your breast
P have rounded cheeks
P suck fast to start the feed then
change to long slow sucks
and swallows
P come off on their own when
they are finished
You should:
P feel comfortable throughout the feed
P be able to see that your nipples look the same after feeding as they did before,
not squashed or flattened
It’s normal for:
P baby to pause and then start suckling again without coming off
P the first few sucks to feel very strong
Sore or cracked nipples
• This happens when your baby isn’t well attached at the breast.
• Try applying a little breastmilk to keep sore nipples moist.
• Get help from your Midwife or Health Visitor as soon as you can.
• They will watch how your baby feeds and help you with feeding.
• If your nipples are too painful to feed, try expressing for 12- 24 hours
to rest them.
• Then try breastfeeding again. Get help from a Midwife, Health Visitor or Peer
Supporter to make sure baby attaches well
21
21How can I make sure
breastfeeding is going well?
• if you do think that your baby is not
attached well, put your finger in the
corner of their mouth to take them off
the breast. Try changing their position
a little and then help them attach to
your breast again
• try to feed your baby at least 8 times
in every day with at least 1 breastfeed
during the night. Night-time
breastfeeds make more milk!
• offer both breasts at each feed
• keep your baby awake and active
during a feed. You could stroke them
or talk to them
• if you are not sure if feeding is going well ask your Midwife or Health Visitor
Carrying your baby
Babies love being carried in a sling.
They can feel your heartbeat
and hear you breathe.
This can settle your baby.
You will also have hands-free time.
To use a sling safely, don’t forget
the T.I.C.K.S and remember
to always keep baby:
• Tight into your body
• In view at all times
• Close enough to kiss
• Keep baby’s chin off their chest
• Supported back
22
22What is in a nappy?
Wet and dirty nappies will help you know your baby is getting enough milk
Day 1 and 2
Meconium nappies
• black, dark green, brown or black
• very sticky
• 2 or more wees a day
Day 3 and 4
• wetter nappies
• greener poos
• 2 poos a day
• 3 or more wees a day
24 hours or more without a poo is a sign that
your baby is not getting enough milk.
Tell your Midwife and ask for help with feeding.
Day 5 and 6
• yellow, soft or runny poos
• at least 2 poos a day
• at least 6 heavy wet nappies
Older breastfed babies
• poos get more yellow as your baby gets older
• they should stay soft or runny
• baby should poo at least 2 times a day until
they are at least 4 weeks old
23
23Caring for your baby at night
• your baby needs you to
care for them at night
• it is normal for young
babies to wake up often.
Your baby will need
feeding and attention
• the safest place for your
baby to sleep at night is in
a cot or a crib next to your
bed. They should sleep
there for at least the first 6
months
To reduce the risk of cot death
Place your baby down to sleep:
• in a cot in your room
• on their back
• with their feet at the end of the cot
Make sure that:
• the covers can’t get over their head
• the cot mattress fits closely
• there is a waterproof cover on the mattress
• your baby does not get too hot or too cold
Do not:
• use cot bumpers
• put soft toys in the cot
• let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
.
24
24Sharing a bed with your baby
The safest place for baby to sleep is in a cot or a crib beside your bed for at least
the first six months. Bringing your baby into your bed means you can breastfeed in
comfort, but it is easy to fall asleep while breastfeeding. There are important things
to think about before bringing baby into your bed.
Make sure that your baby:
• is placed on their back, on the mattress
• is away from pillows
• can’t fall out
• can’t become trapped anywhere
• can’t get tangled in blind cords or a dressing gown belt
• can’t get their head covered with the bedclothes
Do not leave your baby alone in the bed. They could wriggle into a
dangerous position.
It is not safe to bed share with a very small or pre-term baby.
Do not share a bed
with your baby if you
or your partner:
O smoke
O have drunk alcohol
O have taken drugs
O medication
have taken drugs or
that make you
feel sleepy
O feel very tired
O share the bed with older
children or pets
Never sleep with your baby on a
sofa or armchair, or on a soft mattress.
Ask your Midwife or Health Visitor for information about safe sleeping
for your baby or visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk
25
25Breastfeeding challenges
Not enough milk?
• get help to check how baby attaches at the breast
• check you are feeding often enough
• feed your baby when they ask so that your breasts make the right amount of milk
Worried about milk supply?
• are baby’s wet and dirty nappies as expected for his age?
• can you hear baby gulping and swallowing?
• do your breasts feel fuller before and softer after a feed?
• is baby settling between feeds?
• is baby gaining weight?
If the answer is yes to all of these, your baby is getting enough milk.
It is normal to worry as you can’t actually see how much milk is being made.
If you are not sure check with a Midwife or Health Visitor.
Too much milk?
Milk supply takes 6 to 8 weeks to settle to what your baby needs.
• lean back once baby is attached so milk comes out slower.
• express a little milk so that you feel comfortable. Do not express too much as this
can make more milk
• if you are still worried you may have too much milk, ask your Midwife or Health
Visitor for support
Blocked Milk Duct / Mastitis
If you have:
• redness and/or lumpiness
• pain in the breast
• a fever or shivers a bit like flu
Try:
• feeding baby often
• if it is too sore then express milk
• try warmth from a warm flannel before a feed and cool down afterwards with a cold
flannel on your breast
You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain or fever. Ask your Midwife or
Health Visitor for support.
If you don’t feel better or if you start to feel worse, make sure you see your doctor as
soon as possible.
While you are recovering, keep breastfeeding your baby and try to look after yourself too.
26
26What about formula milk?
Most babies don’t need any food or drink other than breastmilk for about the first six
months. Carrying on breastfeeding for all of the first year, along with starting solid
foods is best for babies.
Breastmilk is the healthiest option.
If you want to give some formula milk
to your baby, talk to a Health Visitor,
Midwife or Peer Supporter.
You can carry on breastfeeding even
if you give your baby some formula.
If you want to breastfeed and need to
give some formula, try to give:
• only very small amounts of formula,
30-60 ml
• only after a breastfeed
• no more than twice a day
A Midwife, Health Visitor or Peer Supporter can help you if you want to stop giving
formula. You can increase the amount of breastmilk or return to just breastfeeding if
you want to.
If you feed your baby with formula milk you need to do this as safely as possible or
your baby could become ill.
Always ask your Midwife or Health Visitor for advice about choosing a formula milk,
cleaning feeding equipment and making feeds before starting to give formula feeds.
Thinking of stopping breastfeeding?
Ask for help from a Midwife, Health Visitor or Peer Supporter.
If you are sure you want to stop, try to:
• cut down slowly to avoid painful full breasts. This could make you ill
• drop one feed each day
• hand express to keep your breasts soft
Your milk supply will go down and you and baby can get used to it slowly.
And remember you can always change your mind and go back to doing more
breastfeeding again!
If your baby is under one year, you will need to give infant formula to replace the
breastfeeds that you drop.
27
27Starting solid foods
The best time to start solid foods is around 6 months.
Before 6 months your baby’s tummy is not developed
enough for food.
Is your baby ready? Check if they can:
• sit with just a little support
• hold their head steady
• pick up food and put it in their mouth
• move food around their mouth, chew and swallow safely
If your baby pushes food back out it is a sign that they are not ready.
These are NOT signs that your baby is ready:
• they watch you eat
O
• they wake at night
• they feed often
Try giving more breastfeeds instead.
Solid foods won’t help your baby to sleep or to go longer between feeds.
Safety
Do: P
• watch your baby carefully when they are having solids
• cool down hot food
• test food to check it is cool enough
Do not: O
• force food into your baby’s mouth. This increases the
risk of choking and is frightening for your baby
• give small round food which could cause choking,
like grapes, cherry tomatoes or sausages
• add salt or sugar to your baby’s portion
First food for your baby
• eat together
• show your baby you enjoy lots of different food
• try to make meals a happy time
• you do not need to give jars or packets of baby food
• homemade food is healthiest and you can all eat it together
• ask your Health Visitor for more information
Go to www.nhs.uk and www.healthycornwall.org.uk/training for more information.
28
28Going back to work or study
• Talk to your employer or tutor before
you go back to work or study. They
have to support you and your baby to
stay healthy
• you can express milk for your baby to
drink while you are away from them
• this will not take more than twenty
minutes at a time
• you will need somewhere comfortable
and private to express at work – not in
the toilet
Practice giving your baby your expressed milk before you have to leave them.
If your baby doesn’t seem to like a bottle, you could try using:
• a free flow cup with a lid and soft spout
• a cup without a lid
• a spoon
If your baby is over 6 months, try mixing your milk with solid foods.
If you decide not to express:
• make sure your breasts don’t get too full, be ready to do a little gentle
expressing to start with until the milk supply reduces
• you can still breastfeed your baby when you are not at work
• you may need to leave some formula milk for your baby
For further information see www.maternityaction.org.uk or www.acas.org.uk/maternity
29
29Looking after yourself
Having a baby and becoming a family is exciting and
enjoyable. It can also be demanding and stressful. It’s
normal to sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed or tearful,
especially in the first days when your hormones are
changing after giving birth and other caregivers are getting
to know the new baby. Sometimes these feelings can get
more difficult to manage and some parents may become
depressed or anxious following the birth of their baby.
It’s really important that any new parent who recognises
that they are experiencing low mood or who thinks that
they are not coping with their feelings after their baby has
been born, is able to share these feelings with someone
they trust.
Your Midwife, Health Visitor or GP are available to support you with any feelings that
you have and they are there to help you adjust to parenthood.
There is also help available across Cornwall from:
• Outlook South West www.outlooksw.co.uk or call 01208 871905
• Cornwall NHS Perinatal Mental Health service
www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/perinatal-mental-health-team
• Man Down – Male Mental Health Charity in Cornwall. www.mandown-cornwall.co.uk
• Mind mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393
Baby & the family
Talk and listen to your baby
Let family members spend time with
your baby. Babies as young as a few hours
old love to see a friendly smiling face
Relaxing with siblings
Let your older children relax with
the new baby helping them bond
and enjoy each others’ company
30
30Breastfeeding Peer
Support groups
Peer Supporters give parent to parent
support for breastfeeding.
A great place to meet other families!
Ask your Health Visitor or Midwife about your
nearest group.
Please contact breastfeeding@cornwall.gov.uk
for more information.
The library was welcoming
Breastfeeding and very comfy
out and about
You can breastfeed anywhere
you feel comfortable.
Most of the time nobody
will mind or even notice.
Wear something that you Maybe start in a
can easily lift up to feed friendly café
your baby, like a loose T shirt
Go out with friends and family
first, they will help you feel
relaxed and supported
31
31Support Information
You can get help from:
• your Midwife 01872 258000
www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk
• your Health Visitor 01872 322779 Talk to a parent who knows
about breastfeeding
tinyurl.com/t3wbsev6
• Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer led groups, email
breastfeeding@cornwall.gov.uk for more information
• Local International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC):
lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/
• National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212
• Breastfeeding Network www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
• La Leche League www.laleche.org.uk/ 0345 120 2918
• Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA):
Feeding Twins and Triplets https://twinstrust.org
• Bliss Charity support for babies born premature or unwell
www.bliss.org.uk
• NHS Breast and Bottle Feeding Help and Support:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-
feeding/
• National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300 330 0700
• Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
• The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and
Sylheti: 0300 456 2421
32You can also read
