Preparing for breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a learnt skill that may take time to get used to. This fact sheet will go through some steps to help you prepare for and get started with breastfeeding your baby.

Remember...

• Breastfeed your baby for the first time as soon as you can after birth.
• During pregnancy, your body makes baby's first milk. This is called colostrum.
• Colostrum is the first fluid that is available to baby after birth. It is usually very thick and yellow in colour. Colostrum is full of good nutrients for your baby, and protects against infections.
• When you start to breastfeed, colostrum decreases and breastmilk increases.
• The more you feed the more milk your body will make.
• Breastfeeding does not always come easily. It is common for mothers to contact a breastfeeding-trained health professional for help.

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about breastfeeding.

When do I start breastfeeding?

Start breastfeeding your baby as soon as it is possible after birth. This is the best time because most babies will be alert and have a strong desire to suck. Your body will have already made colostrum (baby's first milk). Colostrum is the perfect first food for your newborn baby.

How does my body produce milk?

Your body begins to produce colostrum during pregnancy. This is a thick, rich, yellow-coloured fluid. As you breastfeed more, the colostrum decreases and your breastmilk increases. Your breastmilk may look pale white or blue as it changes to suit your baby's needs. It has all the nourishment that your baby needs.

You might feel a tingling or tightening in your breasts when your baby starts sucking. This feeling is known as 'let-down'. It might happen at other times, too (e.g. when you hear your baby cry). More breastmilk is made the more it is used—the more you feed your baby, the more breastmilk you will make.

How can I prepare for breastfeeding?

Here are some things you can do to help you prepare for and begin breastfeeding:

• Find or ask about breastfeeding information during pregnancy.
• Join a breastfeeding support group and talk to other mothers.
• Ask about what help is in your area before you leave hospital. This might be a child health clinic, lactation consultant, the Australian Breastfeeding Association or post-discharge services.
• If you plan to return to work, talk to your employer about breastfeeding at work.
• If you take medication, ask your doctor if the medication is safe to keep taking.
• Talk to your family and friends about the importance of breastfeeding so they can better support you.

These tips may be helpful for when you start to breastfeed:

• Enjoy a range of vegetables, fruit, wholegrain breads and cereals, and some dairy foods and meats each day. There are no foods known to upset babies or cause 'wind'.
• Drink plenty of fluids. A good habit is to have a drink of water every time your baby feeds.
• Enjoy some physical activity each day. This might be housework or taking your baby for a walk. Doing any activity is better than doing none.
• Make some time for yourself so that you can relax. When your baby is asleep can be a good time to try to rest.
• Accept help with housework or meals from your partner, family or friends.
• It is best to avoid smoking, alcohol, and other illegal or non-prescribed drugs. You can talk to your health professional for support and about how to reduce harmful effects on your baby.
• It is okay to take the phone off the hook or put limits on visitors and phone calls. This gives you time to rest.
• Get everything ready (e.g. drinks and pillows) before you start each feed.

How can I help get milk flow started?

There are some things you can do to help your breastmilk supply. You may find some of these tips helpful:

• Do what you can to help relax. This may be taking deep breaths, finding a comfortable place to sit, or asking someone to give you a back rub.
• Have a warm shower or put a clean, warm washer on the breast.
• Gently massage the breast towards the nipple. Roll the nipple between the thumb and fingers before starting the feed.
• Express a small amount of breastmilk just before a feed.

Remember that breastfeeding is not always easy at the start. Many women have some difficulties in the early days. Contact a health professional if you have concerns or if you need help. Getting help early will make breastfeeding more enjoyable for you and help you to keep breastfeeding for longer.

For more information or assistance

In hospital

• Talk to a midwife or lactation consultant about any concerns you have.

At home

• Talk to your local child health nurse, a lactation consultant, an Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor or doctor.

Telephone

• Call your local child health nurse (see Queensland Health, Community Child Health service in the White Pages).
• Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)—ask to speak to a child health nurse for 24-hour child health information and advice.
• Contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association:
• call the 24-hour / 7-day free breastfeeding helpline from anywhere in Queensland on 1800-mum-2-mum (1800 686 2 686)
• call the Queensland branch by calling (07) 3254 2233.

Websites

• Australian Breastfeeding Association
• Lactation Consultants of Australia & New Zealand

Resources for parents, families and carers

Breastfeeding and your baby, Queensland Government

Growing Strong—Breastfeeding: good for Baby, good for Mum (PDF, 637kB),Queensland Government

Brochure: Giving your baby the best start—the best foods for infants (PDF, 351kB), Australian Government

Healthdirect Australia—Breastfeeding, Australian Government

Raising Children Network—Newborns nutrition, Australian Government

Raising Children Network—Breastfeeding videos, Australian Government

Booklet: Breastfeeding and postnatal care, New South Wales Government —available in English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi and Tamil languages

Booklet: Breastfeeding your baby (PDF, 3.6MB), New South Wales Government

Breastfeeding your baby, Victoria Government

Brochure: Breastfeeding (PDF, 1.3MB), Victoria Government

Breastfeeding, South Australia Government

Related content

• Breastfeeding: How do I start breastfeeding?
• Managing common breast concerns
• Breastfeeding and drugs

Acknowledgements

This fact sheet is consistent with the National breastfeeding strategy 2010–2015.

Information is drawn from:

• Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service 2015, Child health information: Your guide to the first 12 months.
• National Health and Medical Research Council 2012, Infant feeding guidelines.
• Preventative Health 2008, Growing Strong: Feeding you and your baby, Queensland Health.
• Preventative Health 2010, Breastfeeding and your baby, Queensland Health.
• Queensland Maternity and Neonatal Clinical Guidelines Program 2010, Breastfeeding initiation.

This fact sheet is also the result of input and effort from many health professionals in Queensland. Their assistance with the content is greatly appreciated.

This information is provided as general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or medical advice. Professional and medical advice should be sought for particular health concerns or events. Best efforts have been used to develop this information, which is considered correct and current in accordance with accepted best practice in Queensland as at the date of production. The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) does not accept liability to any person for the information provided in this fact sheet nor does it warrant that the information will remain correct and current. The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) does not promote, endorse or create any association with any third party by publication or use of any references or terminology in this fact sheet.