Breastfeeding Tits

The NHS advice is to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months.

Breastfeeding – although it is what they were put there for, initially I found it quite an alien experience.

Ask for help.

It gets easier, and easier and easier.

When I started breastfeeding this theory helped a lot.

Breastmilk changes during a feed, it starts with thirst quenching fore milk and finishes with thicker hind milk. Think of each feed as a three course meal, starter, main and a nice rich soporific pudding (no coffee). If you stop after the first or second course, your baby and breast will start on the first course again at the next sitting. Lots of fore milk = lots of gas = tummy ache. To avoid this, wake your baby up gently by stroking their cheek and getting them to feed a little longer or if they wake hungry after a very short nap continue on the same breast. Don’t change breasts during a feeding session. Only when the next feed is due change to the other breast. You’ll get to know when your baby has had their pudding course as they drop into a deep smiley sleep.

I drank raspberry leaf, fennel and cumin tea (anti-colic) from Neal's Yard religiously every night before bed. My baby didn’t get colic and rarely fussed or cried. (I may have been very lucky.)

Drink lots of water, eat well, sleep as much as you can when you can.