Having a Baby

• Having a Baby
• Antenatal
  • Antenatal Breastfeeding Classes
  • Antenatal Breastfeeding Information
  • Antenatal Care Options
  • Checklist - Mid pregnancy
  • Checklist - Late pregnancy
  • Common Discomforts of Pregnancy
  • Healthy Eating for Pregnancy
  • Information about your Ultrasound
  • Negative Blood Groups
  • Pelvic Muscle Exercise Instructions
  • Perinatal Clinical Trials and Research
  • Pregnancy and Drugs
  • Preparing for Parenthood Classes
  • Relationships issues
  • Routine Pregnancy Tests
  • Smoking during and after Pregnancy
  • Social Work Department
  • Weight Control in Pregnancy BMI>30
  • Women's and Children's' Clinics
• Birthing
  • Birth plans
  • What to bring with you to hospital
  • Birth Suite Information
  • When to come to Hospital
  • After Hours Access
  • Non-pharmaceutical pain relief for labour
  • Pharmaceutical pain relief for labour
• Postnatal
  • Maternity Ward Information
  • After the Birth of your baby
  • Postnatal Blues
  • The Neonatal Unit
  • Vaccination and Vitamin K
  • BCG Vaccination
  • Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
  • Postnatal breastfeeding information
  • Midwifery Care Program
  • Child Health Services
  • Breastfeeding
  • Australian Breastfeeding Association Contacts
  • Postnatal medical check

Postnatal Breastfeeding Information for Mothers

Bonding, rooming in and feeding on demand

Babies just love being held and cuddled. Holding your baby in skin-to-skin contact sends nerve messages to your baby's brain which helps your baby to breastfeed better.  The hormones you release during breastfeeding help you to release your milk.  These hormones also give you and your baby good feelings and assist you with bonding and developing a trusting relationship with your baby.

At the Townsville Hospital your baby will be in the same room as you so that you can see the signs that your baby is hungry, uncomfortable, needs a change or wants a cuddle.

The size of your breasts is not important for the production of milk. When your baby is allowed to feed as often as they want, your breasts keep making enough milk to meet the baby's needs. It is normal for the frequency and length of feeds to vary. In the first days breast milk can help baby's bowel movements which reduce the incidence of jaundice.

Attaching your baby correctly at the breast

After the birth of your baby, s/he will be left on your chest in skin-to-skin contact with you.  Most babies that are left skin-to-skin after birth will find their own way to the breast and attach without help.  This first feed teaches babies how to feed correctly therefore making the following feeds easier.

Some tips that may make feeding easier for you include:

• Sit comfortably so that your breasts fall naturally.
• Don't wrap your baby as the baby's temperature rises while feeding and they can overheat.
• The breast can be supported to help baby latch on, but make sure you don't push the breast out of shape.
• Your baby's body should be facing you.
• Support your baby by holding them behind the shoulders and neck.
• Position the baby's top lip level with the nipple.  When baby has a wide open mouth or 'gape' quickly attach the baby to the breast.
• Baby's chin should be positioned well under the nipple, lips flanged out, with head slightly back.  It is not necessary to move the breast away from baby's nose to assist breathing.
• When your baby feeds you will be able to feel him/her doing slow swallowing sucks.
  The feed should feel comfortable and be pain free.
• Baby should detach from the breast by themselves, when enough of the feed has been taken.
• After the feed, the nipple will be slightly elongated but have no damage. However some nipple tenderness can be expected and is normal in the first few days.

As your baby gets older you will find there are many positions you and your baby can try to find out which suits best.

How to assure enough milk

The best time to initiate breastfeeding is soon after birth.
 
Complementary feeds are not necessary.

Dummies interfere with proper sucking at your breast, and nipple shields may decrease your milk supply over time, so it's best to avoid them. 

Have no restrictions on feeding times and allow the baby to empty one breast before you offer the second side.

You need to have sufficient food, drink and rest.

Trained people such as midwives, lactation consultants and appropriate and up-to-date books, videos or posters can be helpful.

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Community Support

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for baby's first six months then introducing solid foods and continuing to breastfeeding for two years or more.  If you are having difficulties with feeding your baby there are various places you can get help including the Townsville Child, Youth and Family Health (phone 4799 9000) and the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association
(formerly Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia)

This community group supports breastfeeding families by holding regular informative meetings and providing a breastfeeding helpline.  Their breastfeeding counsellors are able to give support and information about breastfeeding. They also have a breast pump hire service.

Contact numbers:
Pump Hire: 0424 177 669
Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 2 686 (1800 MUM 2 MUM)
Website: Australian Breastfeeding Association

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