Breastfeeding

What happens in your baby’s first years has a big effect on how healthy he or she will be in the future.

 

Mum’s milk gives your baby all the nutrients he or she needs for around the first six months of life – it’s important beyond six months too. Your milk helps to protect your baby from infections and other diseases, and as a mum, it also reduces your chances of getting some illnesses later in life.

Breastfeeding also helps you and your baby to get closer – physically and emotionally. So while you are feeding your baby, the bond between you grows stronger.

Infant formula is made from cows milk and other ingredients. It doesn’t contain the ingredients that help protect your baby from infection and disease. Only your body can make those.

Breastfeeding Support

North Lincolnshire Health Visiting offers a range of support including advice on positioning, attachment, hand expressing and assisting you and your family to continue to breastfeed for as long as planned.

If you require more intensive support your Health Visitor can refer you to the Baby Feeding Team

 

Baby Feeding Team Breastfeeding Support Group

The Baby Feeding Team in North Lincolnshire have groups offer mums and mums-to-be a strong support network in an informal, relaxed, friendly environment and promotes breastfeeding as the best way to feed your baby. Practical advice, reassurance and support on breastfeeding are available from health professionals and trained peer supporters. These groups are accessible to all mums who would like an additional support network when breastfeeding.

Benefits of breastfeeding and frequently asked questions

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for around the first six months. After that, giving your baby breast milk alongside other foods will help them continue to grow and develop and receive protection from illness.

• iHV Top Tips for Parents – Benefits of breastfeeding and FAQ
• Download the Off to the best start Leaflet
• Unicef – Foreign Language Resource

Common breastfeeding worries and problems

Many mums worry that their babies are not getting enough milk. There are some signs that breastfeeding is going well, which can help to reassure parents. You can also discuss any worries with your health visiting team, who can offer support at home.

• iHV Top Tips for Parents– Common worries and problems

Expressing and storing breast milk

Watch: Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Hand Expression

You might want to express your breast milk to feed your baby, boost your milk supply or to help with blocked ducts or mastitis. Hand expressing means using your hands to remove milk from your breasts. Expressing breast milk by hand is a useful method that all breastfeeding mothers will benefit from, even if you already have a breast pump.

• Download the iHV Parent Tips – Storing breast milk Leaflet
• Download the Breastfeeding Network – Expressing and storing breast milk Leaflet
• Unicef – Foreign Language Resource

Introducing formula milk

Most infant formula is modified cow’s milk. There are many different types of formula to choose from and they can be purchased in either ready to feed liquid or powdered form (which will need to be made up with water which has been boiled).

• iHV Top Tips for Parents – Introducing formula milk
• Download the NHS Start for Life – A guide to bottle feeding Leaflet

When your baby cries during feeds or has colic

If your baby cries excessively with no signs of a condition or illness, he or she may have colic. This will be temporary but can be tiring and difficult to cope with. This is a time when you may benefit from support. North Lincolnshire health visiting service can provide advice and support. Infant massage can also help to reduce the symptoms of colic.

• iHV Top Tips for Parents – When your baby cries during feeds
• Download the Unicef – Building a happy baby Leaflet

Helpful contact numbers