Tips for successful breastfeeding/chestfeeding

Information about responsive feeding, feeding cues, breastfeeding positions and how to settle your baby.

Responsive feeding

Responsive feeding, is the most appropriate way to feed your baby. It means to follow your baby’s cues, whether that is for comfort or hunger and your need to feed, reconnect or bond with your baby. When feeding your baby you do not need to follow a schedule (unless recommended by your health care professional) or watch the clock when it comes to feeding and comforting your baby.

By responding to yours and your baby’s needs you will support baby to get enough milk, help prevent engorgement and blocked ducts and ensure a strong bond and healthy brain development for your baby.

You cannot spoil your newborn baby.

Feeding cues and signs that baby is getting enough milk

Feeding cues are signs that tell you your baby is getting hungry. As your baby gets hungrier, their cues will get louder and stronger.

Crying is often the last cue your baby will show and you may struggle to latch your baby and feed them effectively at this stage. Trying to feed your baby whilst they are calm and showing early feeding cues can be easier. If your baby is crying, try skin to skin to calm your baby before attempting to latch to the breast.

Keeping your baby close will allow you to learn your babies feeding cues and how fast they will move through them, therefore you can respond to your babies needs faster.

Early feeding cues - Baby is getting hungry when...

Licking their lips
Stirring whilst asleep
Sucking on their fists and fingers
Opening and closing their mouth
Rooting (turning their head)

When you see these signs try to feed your baby as soon as possible.

Mid feeding cues - baby is getting really hungry when...   

Moving their head more frantically 
Bobbing their head around 
Becoming more fussy and vocal

Your baby is getting more upset, try and feed your baby as soon as possible to avoid them becoming more distressed.

Late feeding cues - baby is now unsettled and needs to be calmed and comforted before feeding when...

Crying 
Agitated body movements

CHIN

Good positioning and latching are vital for comfortable pain-free breastfeeding. Learn about different breastfeeding positions and getting a good latch using CHIN.

Positioning and Attachment - CCS NHS Trust

Link: https://vimeo.com/444599624

The acronym CHIN can be used in all breastfeeding positions. Try to keep CHIN in mind when breastfeeding.

C - Close

Baby needs to be close to you so they can scoop enough breast/chest into their mouth. Ensure both yours and baby’s clothing and hands are not in the way. 

H - Head free

When attaching to the breast/chest, your baby will tilt their head back to allow their chin to lead as they come onto the breast/chest. Even a finger on the back ofyour baby’s head will prevent this important movement.

I - Inline

Your baby’s head and body should be in alignment so that they do not have to twist their neck, which would make feeding and swallowing difficult.

N - Nose to nipple

With your nipple resting below baby’s nose, they will begin to root. As they tilt their head back, the nipple will slip under the top lip upwards and backwards to restbetween the hard and soft palate. 

Breastfeeding positions

For more information about breastfeeding positions visit the NHS website/Start for Life - Breastfeeding positions. (opens in a new tab)

How long should I breastfeed for?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends to breastfeed/chestfeed your baby for the first 2 years. However, any amount of breastfeeding/chestfeeding you cando is beneficial for you and your baby.  1 teaspoon of colostrum continues around a million antibodies. The benefits of breastfeeding/chestfeeding last for as long as youare providing breastmilk.  

For information on how to wean your baby onto solid foods from around 6 months old please check the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children’s Health website - weaning and introducing solid foods. (opens in a new tab)

How to settle your baby

If your baby has reached the late feeding cues you are likely to need to settle them before feeding them. 

You can do this by: 

Holding them close 
Singing/talking to them 
Skin to skin contact 
Gentle strokes