Tips for successful breastfeeding

Breastfeeding isn't always plain sailing - Clare Byam-Cook talks you through the ins and outs

Breastfeeding may be natural, but it doesn’t come naturally to all mothers. Some have to learn how to nurse just as they would learn to drive a car or ride a bike.

The success or failure of breast-feeding depends on two factors:

The size and shape of your breasts and how efficient they are at producing milk. Some breasts work better than others.
If problems occur, you’ll need the advice of an experienced midwife, friend or relative. Without this support you may struggle.

As a general rule, if you have small breasts you’ll usually have no problems latching baby on, because your nipples should fit easily into his mouth. Because of this, you’re also less likely to suffer from sore nipples, as you’ll find it easy to hold baby at the right height and angle to your breast.

If you have large breasts and flat nipples, however, you may find breastfeeding a bit harder. Large breasts seem to have a mind of their own and once they are released from a supporting bra, they are tricky to fit into a baby’s mouth. Don’t despair if this happens to you. Most babies will latch on and feed well providing you bring them to the breast in the right way.

The correct position for a breastfeeding baby:

Put your baby on his side with his body well supported by your arm and/or a pillow.
Have your baby’s mouth level with your nipple.
Put all the nipple and most of the areola (the area around the nipple) in your baby’s mouth.
The nipple needs to go straight into your baby’s mouth, not at an angle.

If you can follow these guidelines your baby will be able to get milk quickly and easily and you won’t become sore.