Mastering breastfeeding: Top 8 tips for the first 12 weeks

PLUS 7 ways your partner can help.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to feed and bond with your baby and, while it’s natural, it takes practise to get it right. Packed with the ideal amount of protein, sugar, fat and vitamins as well as antibodies and hormones, breastmilk has everything your baby needs for healthy growth and development in the first six months of their life.

And while it might take a little time for Mum and Bub to get the hang of things, it’s most often worth the effort.

Here, we’ve compiled 8 tips to help a new mum master breastfeeding in the fourth trimester, plus ways a partner can help too.

Top 8 tips for breastfeeding in the fourth trimester

Get support from a lactation consultant, a breastfeeding group or a healthcare provider. Breastfeeding is natural but it’s still something that mum and bub need to learn how to do together, and professional support can really help. During your pregnancy you can start to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding by regularly massaging them with a balm such as Lansinoh® Organic Nipple Balm.
Start breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, ideally within the first hour. Let your midwife know so that they can help make it happen.
Make sure your baby is positioned and latched on correctly. It can be surprising to see how much of your areola your baby takes into their mouth. To start, aim to have your baby’s top lip in line with your nipple so that your nipple reaches the roof of bub’s mouth.
Breastfeed frequently, around 8-12 times per day. During the ‘fourth trimester’ many mums choose to feed on demand, which helps increase milk supply and may reduce the chance of blocked milk ducts or mastitis. As well as helping to increase your supply, expressing milk using a pump such as Lansinoh® Compact Electric Breast Pump may help to relieve engorgement and blocked ducts. Lansinoh® TheraPearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy can be used cooled or warmed to soothe the pain associated with mastitis, and it can also be worn when expressing milk to help the letdown.

Mum with long dark hair sits on lounge, cuddling and feeding a baby wearing a nappy; inset mum sitting in a chair feeding baby and wearing therapearl — Each breastfeed can take around an hour when you first start, but it gets faster. *(Image: Supplied)*

Alternate breasts during feeds to ensure that both are stimulated equally and emptied properly. It can take six weeks for your milk supply to stabilise and pumping/expressing may help build up your supply and reduce discomfort if you have too much milk. Pumping and storing milk is also a special way to allow partners to share the feeding and help with bonding. Pumping directly into a Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bag simplifies the process.
Try to stay relaxed and comfortable when breastfeeding. Set up a comfy area where your body feels supported. Make sure you have plenty of fluids within reach (a drink when you start feeding can help with milk letdown, as can wearing the TheraPearl) as well as a healthy snack, your phone, breast pump, TV remote, notebook and anything else you might need – those early feeds can be long!
Get plenty of rest and sleep (easy to say!) and eat a healthy, balanced diet. ‘New mum you’ will thank ‘pregnant you’ if you managed to batch cook! Say yes to help from family and friends.
Keep an eye on how many wet nappies your baby has, as this can be an indication that they are getting enough of milk. Talk to your health nurse if you are at all concerned.

Remember that breastfeeding is a learned skill so don’t be discouraged if it takes time to get the hang of it. With patience, practice and support, you and your baby can have a successful breastfeeding experience.

7 ways a partner can support a breastfeeding mum

There are lots of ways partners can support a new mum with breastfeeding – here are some practical things to try.

Close up of a baby with dark hair looking at the camera over her dad's shoulder — *(Image: Getty)*

READ: Products to support breastfeeding

Be present during feeds: Sit with your partner while they breastfeed and offer words of encouragement or provide any assistance.
Take on additional household chores: Taking care of a newborn can be exhausting, so picking up the slack around the house can be helpful.
Attend breastfeeding classes: If possible, go to breastfeeding classes together, and learn about the different breastfeeding positions and techniques that can make the experience more comfortable for your partner.
Provide emotional support: New mums can feel overwhelmed or stressed about breastfeeding, so provide emotional support where you can, and remind her that she is doing an amazing job.
Help with burping and nappy changes: Be around so you change nappies or burp the baby during or after feeds.
Bring her food and water: Breastfeeding is dehydrating so make sure she has a drink and snack.
Be patient and understanding: New mums may experience pain, discomfort or difficulty with latching, so patience, understanding and support is worth its weight in gold.