How do I set my breastfeeding journey up for success?

In this video we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about breastfeeding.

What support is available to help with breastfeeding?

Our midwives at Centenary Hospital for Women and Children and North Canberra Hospital are skilled in supporting breastfeeding. During your antenatal visit, discuss past breastfeeding experiences and feeding plans. After birth, our midwives and lactation consultants will support you in the hospital.

If you give birth at North Canberra Hospital, breastfeeding classes are available for you and your support people. The classes are offered on Mondays from 10am to 11am and Fridays from 11am to 12pm  during your postnatal stay or before your discharge from our services.

Once home, our Midcall and Maternal Child and Family Health (MACH) service will continue to support you.

Visit breastfeeding support to find out more about the options available and where to find them.

Do you offer breastfeeding classes for first-time mums?

Yes, our maternity services offer breastfeeding antenatal classes for first-time mothers. If you birth at Canberra Hospital, classes are held twice a week. Partners are welcome and encouraged to join.

If you give birth at North Canberra Hospital, breastfeeding classes are available for you and your partner. The classes are offered on Mondays from 10am to 11am and Fridays from 11am to 12pm  during your postnatal stay or before your discharge from our services.

How do I know when my baby is ready to feed?

Responsive (demand or baby-led) feeding means letting your baby decide how often and how long they breastfeed. All babies benefit from this approach, regardless of how they are fed.

Key point: remember your baby will breastfeed for ‘food’, ‘fluid’ as well as ‘comfort’. Offering shorter, more frequent feeds is important during hotter weather or times of distress or illness.

Instead of watching the clock, look for early feeding cues to know when your baby is hungry. These cues are the best time to feed. Noticing the earlier feeding cues can help your baby to have the right amount of energy to effectively feed from the breast. You might find these pictures helpful.  Baby feeding cues (signs)

How do I know if my baby is getting enough breastmilk?

Signs your baby is getting enough milk:

• By 5 days old, your baby should have at least 4-8 wet, heavy nappies in 24 hours.
• BEFORE 6 weeks: expect several soft yellow mustard-coloured poos daily, sometimes one after each feed. If your newborn has less than one poo a day, you may need to feed them more often.
• AFTER 6 weeks: the number of poos may vary from day to day and from baby to baby. Some fully breastfed babies continue to poo very frequently; however, others will do one poo every 2 to 10 days. This is fine as long as the poos are soft and grainy.
• Your baby will want to breastfeed frequently (8-12 times or more in 24 hours) with a minimum of 6 feeds per day.
• They will wake up on their own for feeds, having alert periods, and seem content after feeding.
• Expected weight gains for this age group is 150gm to 200gm per week.

What do I do about Breast fullness or Engorgement?

Breast fullness is common on day 3-5 following birth and usually settles after feeding. Engorgement is caused by a build-up of milk, combined with swelling in the breast tissue. When experiencing engorgement, you might find it difficult to get your milk to flow and can cause pain and discomfort.

To prevent it:

• ensure correct positioning and attachment
• feed frequently from birth
• feed without time limits.

If experiencing breast engorgement:

• feed often and offer at least one full breast at each feed
• apply a warm compress before feeding and a cold compress after
• use mild pain relief if needed
• wear a comfortable bra or no bra at all.

Expressing milk may help relieve pain but is best used as a one-time strategy

Key point: Seek breastfeeding advice early if you think you have engorgement

What do I do if I have painful nipples?

Nipple pain is common but should not be severe. If painful:

• gently stroke your breast before feeding
• detach and reattach from the breast
• change breastfeeding positions
• use nipple cream or express a little breast milk to apply to the nipple.

Try baby-led breastfeeding or laid-back principles for a deep latch. If too painful, express milk to maintain supply while nipples heal. Seek skilled breastfeeding help if needed.

I am breastfeeding and can feel a lump in my breast. What do I do now?

A lump in the breast while breastfeeding is common. If it’s not painful, red, or hot, it could be a full milk duct and should reduce after a feed.

If a lump is tender:

• feed on demand or express regularly
• apply a warm compress before feeding and a cold compress after
• take pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen
• seek skilled breastfeeding support if needed.

Call our Early Parenting Support Line at (02) 5124 1775, see your GP or visit a Walk-In Centre if symptoms don’t improve within 12-24 hours or if you have flu-like symptoms.

I feel like my breastmilk supply has dropped. What should I do?

Around 6-8 weeks after birth, many mothers notice their breasts feel softer and less full between feeds than they did in the early weeks. This is usually normal and often reflects your body adjusting to the next stage of breastfeeding, rather than a drop in milk supply.

At this age, babies may take less time to get the milk they need. Babies at this age can have longer periods of crying and be harder to settle, especially in the evenings. To see whether your baby is getting enough milk, look at their wet and dirty nappies, growth, and overall behaviour.

Did you know? Babies breastfeed for food, fluids and comfort. During hot weather, illness or times of distress, they may want to feed more often. Offering shorter, more frequent feeds can help meet these needs.

When do we start solids for our baby?

Starting solids is an exciting milestone. While there is a lot of advice available, current recommendations are clear: the World Health Organization and the National Health and Medical Research Council recommend introducing solids at around 6 months of age.

Your baby will show developmental signs when they are ready for solids. Watching for these signs can help ensure they get the best start.

Did you know? There is no evidence that starting solids before 6 months helps babies sleep longer. For younger babies who need to gain weight, increasing milk feeds is generally more important than introducing solids.

• Attend our Making a Solid Start online session for families with babies aged 4-9 months
• Lots of information about solids and child nutrition is available on our website

My baby gets distracted during feeds. How can I help?

As babies grow, they become more aware of the world around them. Between 4-6 months of age, sounds, movement and other activity can easily distract them during feeds.

Your baby may pull off the breast, turn their head, or seem more interested in what's happening around them than feeding. While this can be frustrating, it is a normal part of their development and usually doesn't last long.

Try feeding in a quiet, calm space to reduce visual distractions and help your baby stay focused.

Will introducing solids or formula help my baby sleep?

No. Many families are surprised by how often babies wake during the night. While this can be exhausting, frequent waking and feeding overnight is normal. It helps keep babies growing, safe and connected to their caregivers.

The good news is that research shows introducing solids early does not help babies sleep for longer or sleep through the night sooner. Whether a baby is breastfed, formula-fed or receives both does not determine when they will start sleeping through the night.

How does breastfeeding change when my baby starts solids?

Breastfeeding patterns may change as your baby grows and eats more solid foods, but breastmilk remains an important source of nutrition up to 2 years and beyond.

• From around 6 months, offer breastfeeds before solids.
• From 9 months, offer breastfeeds after solids.

As your baby becomes more established with eating, solids can gradually increase to 3 meals and 2 snacks each day. Cool boiled water can be offered in a cup at mealtimes.

What can I do if my baby bites or refuses the breast?

Some babies may bite or refuse the breast for a number of reasons. You may need to seek individual advice to work out what is happening for you and your baby.

This is usually a temporary phase, and most babies stop biting or stop refusing breastfeeds as they develop and feeding patterns change.

Can I continue breastfeeding when I return to work?

Returning to work while breastfeeding can feel uncertain for many mothers.

Yes. Breastfeeding can continue after you return to work and planning well ahead can help make the transition smoother. It is important to talk with your workplace to decide what options are available to you