Breastfeeding is going well if:
- Your baby has 8 feeds or more in 24 hours
- Your baby feeds between 5-40 minutes each feed
- Your baby’s skin colour is normal
- Your baby is generally calm and relaxed whilst feeding and content after most feeds
- Your baby has wet and dirty nappies
- Breastfeeding is comfortable
- When your baby is 3-4 days old and beyond you should be able to hear your baby swallowing during a feed
Talk to your midwife or health visitor if:
- Your baby is sleepy and has less than 6 feeds in 24 hours
- Your baby consistently feeds for less than 5 minutes each feed or more than 40 minutes per feed
- Your baby consistently falls asleep on the breast and does not complete their feed
- Your baby appears jaundice (a yellow discolouration of the skin)
- Your baby comes off the breast frequently during a feed or refuses to breastfeed
- Your baby is not having wet or dirty nappies
- You have pain in your breast or nipples which does not disappear after the first few sucks
- Your nipple comes out of the baby’s mouth looking flattened or pinched on one side
- You cannot tell if your baby is swallowing after 3-4 days or beyond
- You feel your baby needs a dummy
- You feel the need to give your baby formula milk
