Breast milk is the best and most natural food for newborns. There is clear scientific evidence that breast milk provides health benefits for both mother and baby.
Depending on which country you live in, doctors recommend a breastfeeding period of at least 6 and up to 24 months (WHO, UNICEF).
The intensity of a baby’s sucking stimulates milk production and controls the flow of milk. The more frequently mothers breastfeed, the more milk is produced.
To get into a good feeding rhythm, it is recommended that you breastfeed frequently during the first few days and weeks. If you experience any difficulties with feeding, talk to a midwife or nursing consultant.
Expressing milk can help increase the amount of milk or can be used to empty the breast completely. This milk can be frozen and stored for use when breastfeeding is not possible.
Discuss feeding with your midwife or health visitor. If you are advised to offer supplementary
A variety of manual and electric breast pumps, including single and double models ensure that every mother can find her ideal pump. There are many reasons to express milk:
Expressed breast milk can be stored in the fridge for up to 8 days at 4C or lower. In the freezer, it can be stored for up to 6 months. This is in accordance with NHS guidelines.
If sore or sensitive nipples are a bother, nipple shields can help. They should be made of the thinnest possible material so that the shield perfectly adapts to the breast shape and feels familiar to baby – like MAM Nipple Shields, for example. The gentle studding allows air to circulate while the butterfly shape ensures maximum skin contact between mother and baby. Please contact your midwife or lactation consultant before using nipple shields.
It is completely normal for a little milk to leak out between feeds. Breast pads keep the skin dry and you feel well cared for. A small acupressure trick: if you feel leakage, apply gentle pressure to the breast tip through your clothing. Important: breast pads should be thin enough to be invisible through clothing. They also need a breathable top sheet over a highly absorbent core and a fixing strip that prevents the pad from sliding out of place.
MAM Easy Start™ Anti-Colic Bottle: Designed for feeding breast milk. Our MAM Easy Start bottle is the best choice for feeding expressed breast milk, right from the start. MAM Easy Start provides parents with the best possible protection against colic and makes it easy to switch between breast and bottle feeding.