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Breastfeeding

What to expect, how to breastfeed and overcoming problems.

Getting ready to breastfeed

It helps to know as much as possible about breastfeeding before your pēpi (baby) is born. Find out what you can do to prepare for breastfeeding.

Starting breastfeeding

Getting started with breastfeeding and why the first feeds are so important.

How to breastfeed

What a good latch looks like, how to position your pēpi for breastfeeding and how to get support.

Supporting a breastfeeding parent

Things that you can do to support breastfeeding parents to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding problems

Common breastfeeding problems, and tips to manage them.

Tongue tie

Signs tongue tie is causing problems, how to get an assessment.

Nipple shields to support breastfeeding

Nipple shields are thin, flexible silicone covers that fit over your nipple during breastfeeding. They can help your pēpi if they have difficulty latching or feeding.

HIV

People with HIV can pass it on to their babies during pregnancy, birth, and while breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding – getting out and about

A few weeks after the birth it is important for you to start getting out and about with your new pēpi (baby).

Returning to work

Breastfeeding and working

Expressing breast milk

You can express (remove) milk from your breasts by hand or using a breast pump. If you need to be away from your pēpi, you can express and store milk to feed to them later.

Donated breast milk

Breast milk banks and donated breast milk.

Breastfeeding after surgery

You may need a general anaesthetic for a procedure or operation while you are still breastfeeding. Most medicines used for putting you to sleep are safe for breastfeeding. Let your healthcare provider know you are breastfeeding so they can support you.

Eating well when breastfeeding

Find out how to eat well and what nutrition your body needs when breastfeeding.

Eating well when breastfeeding twins or triplets

Many women breastfeed their twins or triplets. If you are breastfeeding more than one pēpi, you will need to eat and drink more than usual.

Medicines, alcohol, drugs and breastfeeding

What you put into your body when you are breastfeeding can enter your breast milk. Most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding. But recreational drugs, alcohol and smoking can harm your pēpi.