Breastfeeding

Salisbury Maternity and Neonatal unit are now a Baby Friendly hospital.

The Baby Friendly Initiative, set up by Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund) and the World Health Organisation, is a global programme which provides a practical and effective way for health services to improve the care provided for all mothers and babies.

The Baby Friendly award is given to hospitals who are deemed to have best practice standards in place to strengthen mother-baby relationships and to support mothers who chose to breastfeed

The Infant Feeding team are passionate about supporting mothers and their families to make the right choices for themselves regarding infant feeding and supporting the loving relationship between parents and their new baby.

We work Monday – Saturday,

If you find you are struggling with any aspects of feeding, then talk to your midwife who can support you. If they feel that you need, specialist support then they can refer you into one of our clinics. We aim to see you within 72 hours. At times this may be slightly longer.

We can also assess your baby for tongue tie and divide it if necessary.

The information on this website should provide a useful introduction to your options around feeding your baby – it’s never too early to think about this, so please be sure to ask your community midwives for support and information as you start (or continue!) your journey into parenthood.

We look forward to welcoming you and your baby!

While you’re in the hospital, our entire maternity team is trained and ready to support you in beginning your feeding journey. Once you’re home, your community midwife will continue to be there for you, offering guidance and reassurance. If you experience more complex feeding challenges, our dedicated Infant Feeding Team can provide specialist help — your midwife can arrange a referral to ensure you get support you may need.

Here is some information to support you in your infant feeding journey:

ABM More than milk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYV2CPD0APw

Correct latch

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/how-to-breastfeed/latching-on/

https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/positioning-and-attachment-video/

Ineffective attachment

https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/ineffective-attachment/

Signs your baby is Ready to feed

https://padlet.com/jacquelyndalley/salisbury-infant-feeding-information-f0no6u47p0ewtnan/wish/x5A7arlzvj7rZwr6

The importance of building a relationship with your baby

https://youtu.be/UmvY7t6RRUo

https://youtu.be/0vzW9qPz3So

https://youtu.be/BR2QZ4WsE10

Colostrum and Harvesting

Please add this video

ABM - How lactation works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-i4tm7mGnc

The Flange FITS Guide for optimal comfort, efficiency and milk yield

Positioning and attachment

Remove the video with Jen and add

Correct latch

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/how-to-breastfeed/latching-on/

https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/positioning-and-attachment-video/

Ineffective attachment

https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/ineffective-attachment/

Recognising effective feeding

How to recognise when a baby is drinking well

Breastfeeding assessment tool - maternity

Skin to skin

Add this video

https://youtu.be/0vzW9qPz3So

Formula Feeding

Add video on Pace Feeding

https://youtu.be/4Rpl85V0pY

There are three phases of breast milk:

Colostrum. This is the first milk produced by the breast from 36weeks of pregnancy until right after birth. It is thick, yellow-ish, and rich in nutrients your baby needs in the first few hours and days.
Transitional milk. This is when mature breast milk starts to replace colostrum. This usually happens in your first week at home after giving birth.
Mature milk. Mature milk looks thinner than colostrum but is still full of nutrients for baby. It starts about 10-15 days after birth. Mature milk will continue to change automatically in line with your baby's needs.

Reasons to express

There can be many benefits from expressing, both before and after giving birth. Colostrum/breastmilk is enriched with antibodies and is specifically designed by your body to be able to give your baby all it needs in their initial stage of life.

Before your baby is born (colostrum harvesting) – if you have been advised that your baby may need extra milk once born. This can be expressed and stored from 36 weeks into your pregnancy.
First days after giving birth (colostrum) – if your baby is sleepy or to help them attach and feed.
Returning to work/study, or planning a night out (transitional/mature milk) - to help relieve pressure during long periods between feeds, if your breasts feel uncomfortably full (engorged)
Your partner is going to help feed your baby (transitional/mature milk)

Harvesting Colostrum

Breastmilk can be expressed by hand in the earlier stages, then by manual/electric pump as you progress. As with breastfeeding, the more you practice the easier it gets. We recommend that you express once or twice a day from 36weeks into your pregnancy.

These tips may help:

Before you start, wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Make sure you are comfortable and relaxed.
Have something ready to collect the milk in (a sterilised syringe/pot/spoon)
Gently massage your breasts before expressing.
Cup your breast with one hand then, with your other hand, form a "C" shape with your forefinger and thumb.
Squeeze gently, keeping your finger and thumb a few centimetres away from your nipple, just outside the darker area around it (areola). Do not squeeze the nipple itself as you could make it sore. This should not hurt.
Release the pressure, then repeat, building up a rhythm. Try not to slide your fingers over the skin.
Drops should start to appear. If no drops appear, try moving your finger and thumb slightly, but still avoid squeezing the darker area near your nipple.
Don't forget swap to the other breast once you have collected drops from the first.

Storing your harvested colostrum

Colostrum can be stored in syringes, pots or spoons (all of which need to be sterilized before use). You can buy syringes, or you can ask your community midwife who can provide these for you.

Once you have some harvested colostrum, make sure that you label your container with the date of expression and your full name. This will help you keep track of expiring milk and is also useful for any supply being taken into hospital for when you give birth. Make sure that you freeze your harvested colostrum on the same day that it has been expressed. Colostrum can last for up to 6 months when frozen.

Bringing your harvested colostrum to the hospital/birthing centre

Transfer your harvested colostrum from your home freezer into a cool bag on the day that you come into hospital to give birth. Our midwives can then put this into the department's freezer for you, to keep it safe and ready for if/when it is needed.

If by the time you are discharged from hospital you have not used any/all of your harvested colostrum, please ask your midwives to return it to you so that you can put it straight back into your freezer at home.

You can attend one of the Infant Feeding Team's classes for detailed demonstrations on hand expression techniques and harvesting colostrum.

You can also watch this helpful video by Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative:

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