How to breast feed

During the first few days the nipple is getting used to being taken into baby's mouth and baby is learning how to feed from the nipple. It's important for both of you to be relaxed and comfortable; you may be feeding for an hour or so, so propyourself up before you start cause even small babies can scream if you take away their dinner. At this age a baby may not yet know how to open his or her mouth widely enough. If this happens, you can squeeze out a little milk from your breast, open baby's mouth with your clean finger, and put a little milk in to start baby off. Wait for the baby's mouth to open, then guide the breast in - not just the nipple.

Most people don't realise but in order for a baby to suck properly, the baby squeezes the area behind the nipple with his or her whole mouth. When the baby finishes sucking the first breast, put your finger into the baby's mouth to release the sucking, and offer the other breast. At the next feed, start the other way round. When the baby has had enough, he or she will just usually fall asleep.

It is important to use both breast equally as the child’s sucking stimulate the milk production. Each time you feed, you should stay on one breast until it feels empty that is usually at least ten to fifteen minutes. This is because the milk that comes at the end of a feed is much richer and more satisfying.