Frequently Asked Questions about breastfeeding

• Why breastfeed?
• Can all mothers breastfeed?
• Is breastfeeding easy?
• Should I eat differently while I'm breastfeeding?
• How often should I breastfeed my baby and how long should a breast  feed last?
• How will I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
• When should I stop breastfeeding?

• The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months
• Breastfeeding is best for babies! Breast milk provides your baby with the right amounts of all the nutrients needed for healthy growth.
• By breastfeeding your baby you are providing antibodies and other protective factors that will help protect your baby against common infections. If you or your partner suffer from allergies, e.g. asthma or eczema, breastfeeding can help your baby combat these conditions.
• Breast milk is easily digested and absorbed and is less likely to cause stomach upsets and diarrhoea. Your baby is also less likely to become constipated if he/she is breastfed.
• Breastfeeding is convenient - it is ready to drink at any time of the day or night, without needing any special preparation.
• Breast milk is free.
• Breastfeeding will help your womb return to its normal size after your baby is born and, if you continue to breastfeed for a few months, it will help you get your shape back sooner by using up the extra fat that your body has stored in preparation for making milk.
• Once established, breastfeeding is an enjoyable experience for both you and your baby, and an important part of building a bond between you.

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• Most mothers are able to breastfeed. If you do experience problems however, speak to your health professional for advice.
• If you are on medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist whether it is safe to breastfeed. If it is not safe, check whether it would be possible to change to your medication to a safe alternative.
• In developed countries, women who are HIV positive are usually advised against breastfeeding because the risk of passing on the virus is greater than any of the risks associated with bottle feeding.

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• Though breastfeeding is a completely natural process, it isn't always easy. It's a new experience for you and your baby, so a little time, experimentation with different techniques, and persistence if it doesn't seem to be working out, may be needed before you settle down into an effective and pleasurable routine. It's important to feel comfortable and relaxed when you're breastfeeding. If you are very anxious or uncomfortable your milk will not flow properly and your baby will become agitated too.
• If you have any difficulty starting and/or maintaining breastfeeding, speak to your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding counsellor. They will be able to give you the support and guidance you need.
• Chat forums can be a great way to share your experiences and get advice and information from other mums. The HiPP Baby Club has its own chat forum, which you can join in if you are a member. Click here
• If you are experiencing trouble breastfeeding here are some useful contact numbers/websites, these employ train professionals who will be able to support and guide you.

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• It's important to eat regular, nutritionally well-balanced meals. Eat and drink when you feel you need to - you may find you're hungrier and thirstier because breastfeeding uses up lots of calories and fluid. Don't miss meals. You're making milk 24 hours a day and if your diet is inadequate your health can easily suffer.
• The Food Standards Agency recommends a daily supplement of 10 micrograms (mcg) of Vitamin D each day while you’re breastfeeding.
• Small amounts of the foods and drinks you consume can pass through to your breast milk, so watch how much caffeine and alcohol you have as these may affect the baby.
• If the baby’s mum or dad, brothers or sisters have any food allergies, or hay fever, asthma or eczema, it’s best to avoid peanuts or peanut products while you’re breastfeeding.
• Fish is quick to cook and nutritious, but it’s best not to have any more than 2 portions of oily fish (salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, fresh tuna) per week. (There’s no limit on tinned tuna since the oils are removed in the canning process.)
• Similar levels of dioxins and PCBs found in oily fish have also been found in fish such as crab, sea bream, sea bass, turbot, halibut and huss (dog fish) - so it is probably best to limit these fish too.
• But you can eat unlimited amounts of other white fish (see the Food Standards Agency website for further details)

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• This will vary. You should breastfeed your baby 'on demand'. By doing this your milk will be produced in the quantities needed to meet your baby's needs.
• Newborn babies can't go for long periods between feeds, and so they will often want small amounts of food every 1-2 hours. However, the gap between feeds will gradually lengthen and after a week or two the gap will usually settle down to about 3-4 hours between feeds. At this stage, your baby will need about six to eight feeds a day (24 hours).
• As your baby's appetite increases, the amount of milk taken at each feed will increase and the frequency of feeds may decrease. However, during growth spurts your baby will demand extra food and so the number of feeds may increase.
• As far as 'how long feeds should last' is concerned, your baby is the best judge of this. A feed can take anything from five minutes to half an hour, depending on how hungry your baby is and how quickly they feed.

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• If your baby is generally contented, has plenty of wet nappies every 24 hours without taking any other drinks, and has a satisfactory weight gain, you can be fairly confident that they are getting enough milk.
• If you're at all worried, speak to your midwife, health visitor or doctor.

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• Breastfeeding gives your baby the best start in life. You can continue to breastfeed your baby for as long as you like; some mothers choose to breastfeed for just a few weeks or months, others continue until their baby is one year or older. The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby's life.
• Where there is a family history of atopic disease breastfeeding is particularly recommended for at least 4-6 months and preferably longer.
• Some mothers stop breastfeeding if they are returning to work. This doesn't have to be the case. You can either express milk to be given to your baby while you're at work, or alternatively, arrange for your baby to have formula feeds at these times. You can then continue to breastfeed when you're at home.
• If you are considering changing over from breastfeeding or are not sure what to do talk to your midwife, health visitor, breastfeeding counsellor or GP first, as it is not easy to go back once you have made the change.

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