Mummy and Me Magazine August 2014 October-November 2014 | Page 10

Birth & Beyond

Breastfeeding - What toExpect...
T
here are many changes that take place during
pregnancy, one of which is that your breasts
prepare for their role in making milk. From
about 20 weeks into your pregnancy, your breasts
will produce a rich mixture of proteins, vitamins
and substances for fighting infections, this is called
colostrum. This is usually a yellow/golden colour.

BREASTFEEDING - WHAT TO EXPECT

After birth, your baby feeding will send signals to
your breasts to produce milk. At around 3-4 days,
the colostrum changes into a whitish milk. This milk
is more creamy (higher in fat) and more satisfying
for your baby. The more your baby feeds, the more
milk you will produce. Once they have finished
feeding on one breast, offer the
other.

Your baby’s instinct is to breastfeed, this instinct
is particularly strong after birth, therefore it may
help if you spend time cuddling your baby on your
chest with your skin against theirs. Skin-to-skin can
be done after a Caesarean section as well as a
vaginal birth. But if you are unable to have skin-toskin with your baby post-birth, you can do this at a
later stage. Don’t expect breastfeeding to happen
straight away, some babies don’t (perhaps due to
sleepiness affected by the pain relief drugs used in
labour). A midwife should be on-hand to assist you
should you want help.

Once out of hospital, many women do not feel
comfortable feeding in public places. Some
department stores such as John Lewis, offer
‘feeding rooms’ that offer a relaxed and more
If feeding is comfortable
private environment for breastfeeding Mums
If you feed for just
and your baby is content
to be able to feed.
1 day the antibodies
after feeds, they are likely
in your colostrum will
to be feeding correctly
Meeting other breastfeeding Mums can help
provide natural immunity
and
getting
enough
from infection and will help too. There are many NCT groups or groups
milk. Check your baby’s
offered by your local Children’s Centre to
your womb to contract
nappies to make sure that
help support breastfeeding Mums. Here you
towards normal size.
they are having wet and
will have the chance to share experiences
soiled nappies throughout the
with others, and often a trained Breastfeeding
day. It is also advisable to see
Support Worker will be present to address
how much weight your baby has gained
any problems or concerns you may
after the first couple of weeks. Your
have.
If you feed for
Midwife or Health Visitor should offer
6 weeks your baby
You can breastfeed for as long
this when they visit your home. After
is at less risk of chest
you have been discharged by your infections for up to 7 years! as you and your baby want to.
The World Health Organisation
Midwife, there should be a local
For you, breast-feeding
clinic or Children’s Centre offering means you can go out and (WHO) and the UK Department
of Health recommend giving solely
a weekly weigh in session that you
about without bottle
breastmilk for the first six months
may wish to attend.
feeding equipment.
and then continuing to breastfeed
(*NCT)
Getting yourself measured for a few
whilst introducing solid
nursing bras will help you feel
food. WHO recommend
comfortable when feeding. A great place
continuing to breastfeed for at least
two years due to better health
to find the right style for you is www.
bras4mums.co.uk who offer a full outcomes. However long you
decide to breastfeed is entirely up
range including; Bravado, Cake Lingerie,
to you and your baby.
Emma-Jane, Carriwell, Hot Milk and
many more. There are also many nursing
For advice and support, the
tops on the market that help make
Nationa