Breastfeeding

Deciding to breastfeed

Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby. The longer you breastfeed, the better it is for you both. Even if you only do it for a short time, you’ll both get the benefits.

Benefits for your baby

• Has all the nutrients your baby needs
• Helps your baby's mouth and jaw to develop
• Is easy for your baby to digest
• Has antibodies to help your baby fight infection and diseases
• Adapts to your baby's needs as they grow bigger

Benefits for you

• Lowers your risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis
• Helps you bond with your baby
• Helps your womb shrink back to its pre-baby size
• Lowers the risk of blood loss after the birth (postpartum haemorrhage)
• May make it easier to lose any extra weight you put on while pregnant

It also reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).

Read more about the benefits of breastfeeding.

• Breastfeeding: good for baby, good for mum
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website
• Raising Children Network website
• Australian Breastfeeding Association

Milk supply

Your body will produce the amount of milk that your baby needs. The more you feed your baby, the more milk your body will make. It will take around 6 weeks for your breasts to settle into consistently matching the amount your baby needs.

Your milk supply will gradually increase as your baby gets bigger and feeds more.

Read more about signs your baby is getting enough breastmilk on the Children's Health Queensland website. If you're not seeing these signs and you're worried, talk to your GP, midwife or a lactation consultant.

Expressing your breast milk

Expressing breast milk can help when you:

• can’t breastfeed, or are away from your baby
• have sore or cracked nipples
• want to bottle feed using breast milk
• need to increase your milk supply
• wean your baby.

The Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website has more information about how to express and store your breast milk.

Common breastfeeding issues

Breastfeeding is a new skill for you and your baby. Although it's natural, it's often challenging to start with and a lot of mums and babies have breastfeeding issues at some point, including:

• breast engorgement
• sore or cracked nipples
• mastitis.

With the right information and support, mums often find it really rewarding.

Your baby's red book has a booklet with more information about common breastfeeding issues. You can also download the booklet from the Children's Health Queensland website.

When not to breastfeed

There might be times when it's not safe for you to breastfeed. This is usually because something in your milk or on your skin might be harmful to your baby. Your health professional will let you know if you need to stop breastfeeding for any illness or medicines you're taking.

It's safe to keep breastfeeding your baby if you have mastitis or thrush.

Medicines and stimulants

Alcohol, caffeine and nicotine will pass to your baby in small amounts when you breastfeed. It can make your baby unsettled so it's best to avoid them. Read more about alcohol and breastfeeding on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.

Most medicines you take will pass to your baby in small amounts. It may be safe to keep breastfeeding when you're taking prescribed or over the counter medicine but always check with your GP or a pharmacist first.

The Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website has more information about taking medicines while you're pregnant.