Establishment of breastfeeding

Establishment of breastfeeding includes:

• learning how to breastfeed successfully with the support and advice from your lead maternity carer and others
• maintaining your good health (including nutrition and rest)
• getting support and advice from your lead maternity carer to overcome any breastfeeding problems
• developing problem-solving skills to maintain confidence to breastfeed
• continuing the commitment to make breast milk the only food and drink for baby
• enjoying the breastfeeding experience and your closeness to baby.

During this period you are likely to face some challenges including:

• tiredness
• pain (including experiences of mastitis, cracked nipples, and breast engorgement)
• difficulty with latching
• perceived or actual lack of milk, and/or baby’s perceived or actual hunger
• balancing the demands of other children
• lack of health service and family/wh?nau support.

At around six weeks, there is a transition of care from your LMC to Well Child/Tamariki Ora.

Why keep breastfeeding up to 8 weeks?

• Breast milk continues to protect baby from infections.
• Breast milk gives food and fluid for baby in the most easily digested way.
• Baby’s organs are still very immature and not ready for other foods.
• Milk composition and supply matches baby’s changing needs.
• Breastfeeding helps bond with baby.
• No need to prepare bottles for night feeds.
• It’s cheaper.
• Breastfeeding during immunisations provides pain relief for babies.

Remember any breastfeeding is good for a baby, so if you’ve made it this far, you’re doing well.