Lactation consultant lists top tips for establishing an early breastfeeding routine

Establishing a breastfeeding routine in the days after birth is so important for both the baby’s and mother’s comfort on this journey

We spoke with Niamh Cassidy from My Baby Beginnings about how early interactions will lead the way and how some tips and tricks of hers can help parents to ensure they have a head start.

Early Days

According to Cassidy: “So in the early days, it's really important that babies are given lots of opportunities to feed and in particular, we want to start in those first moments after the baby is born that the baby is put skin to skin and that they're really kind of left up to their own devices to find their way to the breast and get there when they're ready.”

Skin-to-skin contact directly after birth helps to stimulate the baby’s natural feeding instincts and promotes bonding between you both.

Allowing a baby to guide themselves to the breast supports their feeding cues and helps establish a strong breastfeeding foundation.

Feeding Patterns

Cassidy also says it’s important to monitor feeding patterns closely.

She explained: “If they don't look for a feed at least every three hours we probably want to raise them a little bit and see if we can get encouraged them to feed.”

It’s so important to ensure that the baby is feeding frequently enough to support their nutritional needs and stimulate continued milk production.

If there are cases where baby isn’t feeding enough, parents shouldn’t hesitate to wake the baby to feed.

She said: “If they're not feeding often enough, waking them up to feed them and really just slow and down and saying that it's okay to stay still and not do much more then. Put the baby to the breast and have those lovely snuggles.”

Creating a calm and supportive environment for feeding helps baby and mum to adjust to your unique routine.

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