Breastfeeding

Skin to skin

Skin to skin is a really important part of bonding with your baby. Immediately after birth, your baby should be place on their front between your breasts, dried off so they don’t get cold. They should be naked and covered with a blanket or towel from their shoulders down. It’s important to ensure that their head is turned to the side so they can breath well. Ideally, your baby should be left in this position uninterrupted for at least an hour after birth. Skin to skin gives you both a little time to recover from the birth as well as helping to regulate your baby’s heart rate, breathing , temperature and blood sugar. Your baby is in just the right place for their first breastfeed. Skin to skin is not just for after the birth, if your baby is a little sleepy or distressed, skin to skin helps to calm them and stimulate them to feed.

Skin to skin is also a fantastic way for your partner to get to know your baby and begin their own bonding experience.

Watch a video showing a baby at birth in skin to skin contact performing the 'breast crawl' and finding the breast by himself.

How to achieve a good position and attachment

There are lots of breastfeeding positions, so it may be worth experimenting to find the position that suits you and your baby the best. The principles of all the feeding positions are the same, a good way to remember this is the acronym CHINS

  • Close: hold your baby close to your body.
  • Head free: your hand should be on the nape of your baby’s neck so that they are able to put their head right back, if there is pressure on the baby’s head from a finger this pushes the baby’s chin onto their chest making it difficult for them to swallow.
  • Inline: your baby’s body should be in a straight line, shoulders, knees and ankles lined up.
  • Nose: nose to nipple. When your baby is ready to feed stroke your nipple on the little groove between their nose and top lip.
  • Sustainable: it's really important that you are comfortable and can maintain the position that you are in.

Breastfeeding should be comfortable. Initially, you may feel strong sucks but if it is painful take your baby off and re-position them. Ensuring your baby is well attached to the breast helps them to get more milk and your breasts and nipples should remain comfortable.

You may find these videos helpful:

Signs of a good feed

  • Your baby has a large mouthful of breast when they are feeding - you should be able to see more of your areola above your baby's top lip, a little like a moustache! The areola below the bottom lip should be smaller, you may not be able to see it at all.
  • Your baby’s chin is indenting the breast.
  • Your baby’s cheeks stay full and round during sucking.
  • Your baby initially sucks rapidly but then settles into a rhythmic sucking pattern. Towards the end of the feed you will notice soft flutter sucks - you should notice 2 sucks to each swallow with a pause in between the sucks and swallow.
  • The feed is comfortable and pain free for you.
  • Your baby finishes the feed and comes off of the breast by themselves.
  • Your baby is settled and content after the feed.

Is my baby getting enough milk?

Signs your baby is getting enough milk include:

  • Your baby has not lost more than 8% of their birth weight
  • Your baby is having lots of wet & dirty nappies see the chart below
  • Your breasts & nipples are comfortable, if they’re not speak to your community midwife or health visitor
  • Your baby will be settled and content and will come off of the breast by themselves
If you're worried about how much milk your baby is getting, talk to your community midwife or health visitor.

Night feeding

Night feeding can seem like a daunting prospect. Your baby has a tiny stomach and needs to feed regularly - at least once between midnight and 6am. This can feel like a challenge when you're tired and your baby is waking frequently, but it can also be a really special time when it is just you and your baby, quietly getting to know each other. Your baby needs the same level of security and comfort at night as they do during the day. Resting or napping during the day when your baby is asleep can help to combat the tiredness.

Additional information

Expressing breast milk

Hand expressing is a really useful skill to have, both before and after your baby is born. Click here for our hand expressing guide.

Further information and support

Picture of a nurse measuring the blood presseure of a patient

How to get help

Picture of a pregnant person with hands on tummy

Refer yourself