The Early Days
After your baby is born and whilst doing skin to skin your baby may be rooting for the breast, if you choose to
Breast feed
Allow your baby to find your breasts as they are learning how to get their first feed – a member of staff will be there to support you.
Breastfeeds can be long, short and at varying times in the day.
Breast feeding is not just for nutrition but for love, comfort and reassurance and a way of spending time together.
You can breastfeed responsively by offering your breasts if they become full, or if you need to go out or if you just want a cuddle.
Breastfed babies cannot be overfed or spoilt by too much feeding
(Follow the links below for more Breast Feeding information)
Bottle feed
Offer the first feed whilst you are still doing skin to skin.
If you and your partner bottle feed your baby in the early days/weeks you will get to know your baby very quickly and learn to respond to your baby’s needs.
Whilst bottle feeding your baby, hold your baby close and allow your baby the time they need to feed, this will help to build up a close and loving relationship, making your baby feel safe and secure.
(Follow the links below for more bottle feeding information.)
Breast feeding information
Attach no 7 BF Leaflet
Attach no 8 - How to Position and Attach your Baby
Attach no 9 - How to Hand express
Attach no 10 - How do I know ?
Attach no 11- What dads need to know about Breast Feeding
Attach no 12 - Caring for your baby at night (Unicef)
Attach no 13 – Expressing and Storing your Breast milk
Take a look at the links below for further advice and information -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vzW9qPz3So
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resour
ces/video/breastfeeding-and-relationships-in-the-early-days/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nbTEG1fOrE
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/video/what-effective-breastfeeding-looks-like/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSzbrtIT91s
https://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/the-early-days-and-weeks/234d1d5f-cbf4-41c7-8f71-e39bc88cd318
http://www.ifeedproject.co.uk/my-baby-is-here/bonding-with-baby/responsive-feeding/
http://www.ifeedproject.co.uk/my-baby-is-here/feeding-my-baby/breast-bottle/
Bottle feeding information
Infant Formula Guide (Unicef)
Step by Step Guide to Making Formula feed (DOH)
Start for life Guide to Bottle feeding (NHS)
Baby Friendly responsive bottle feeding guide
Take a look at the links below for further advice and information -
http://www.ifeedproject.co.uk/my-baby-is-here/bottle-feeding/which-milk/?/
http://www.ifeedproject.co.uk/my-baby-is-here/bottle-feeding/responsive-bottle-feeding/
https://web.bestbeginnings.org.uk/web/video/preparing-formula-safely-10011
https://web.bestbeginnings.org.uk/web/video/sterilising-your-equipment-10031