Feeding

Colostrum Collection

We encourage all women to hand express their breastmilk antenatally (before baby is born). You can talk to a midwife about this when you come in for your antenatal appointment at around 34-36 weeks. If you are interested they will give you a starter pack and a leaflet with all the all the equipment and information you will need about expressing, storing and transporting your colostrum (first milk).

After your baby is born

Staff will support you with feeding your baby after birth, in hospital and at home. Before you go home and on your first home visit (or soon after your home birth) a member of staff will ensure you know how to feed baby, signs baby is getting enough milk and what to do if you have any problems. During these early days, colostrum (first milk) is enough for your baby, this will gradually transition (change) to mature milk during the first four weeks. All babies are weighed on Day 5 (the day your baby is born is Day 0). If you are breastfeeding your baby will also be weighed on Day 3.

Before you leave hospital, staff will let you know what to expect in terms of telephone consultations and appointments.

You can ask any feeding-related questions at any appointments / consultations with your midwife or health visitor or contact the Infant Feeding team on 01952 565 954 during office hours.

• Positioning and attachment video – Baby Friendly Initiative (unicef.org.uk)
• Off to the Best Start – A guide to help you start breastfeeding
• Breast Feeding Support in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

Bottle Feeding and Formula Feeding

Some families choose to offer expressed breastmilk or formula feed. When choosing a formula milk newborn / first milk is all your baby needs during their first year. Your baby’s immune system is not as strong as an adult’s so good hygiene when preparing bottles is essential. Bottles, teats and any other feeding equipment need to be washed and sterilised before each feed, this will reduce the chance of your baby getting an infection, in particular diarrhoea and vomiting.

• How to make up a bottle
• Responsive Bottle Feeding and choosing a formula
• Expressing and Storing Breastmilk
• Infant milks information for parents and carers

Infant feeding and tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)

The lingual frenulum (the membrane that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is a normal structure. Some babies with a clearly visible frenulum can breastfeed well and you will be supported by maternity staff to position and latch baby effectively at the breast. However, if the frenulum is particularly short or tight then it can restrict the tongue movement making breastfeeding and sometimes bottle feeding more difficult – this is known as a tongue-tie. When a baby has a tongue tie mothers may have difficulties with pain, nipple damage, mastitis and other breastfeeding related issues. Babies may have difficulty staying attached to the breast, may lose weight or may be very unsettled when trying to feed.

Our Tongue Tie Assessment Clinic takes place weekly at the Children’s Outpatient Department at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford for babies up to 42 days old who have a suspected tongue tie. Referrals to this service are made by your midwife or health visitor. Families can access ongoing support from their community midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding support group whilst awaiting an assessment appointment.

Tongue-tie – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

NICE guidance on tongue tie

Further resources 

Further resources can be seen here:

• The Breastfeeding Network | Independent Breastfeeding Support
• Medication, pain relief and drugs in breastmilk factsheets
• Breastfeeding: the first few days – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Feeding twins and multiples – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Feeding your baby | Tommy’s (tommys.org)