The Complete Breastfeeding Guide: Latch, Supply & Problems

The first feeds set the tone. Aim for skin-to-skin soon after birth and offer the breast within the first hour or two if you can. Early milk (colostrum) is small in volume but concentrated and exactly what your newborn needs.

How to get a deep latch

• Hold your baby tummy-to-tummy, nose level with your nipple, head free to tip back.
• Wait for a wide-open mouth (like a yawn), then bring baby to the breast quickly — chin first.
• Aim the nipple toward the roof of the mouth so they take a big mouthful of breast, not just the nipple.
• Look for: more of the lower areola in the mouth, flared lips, full rounded cheeks, and rhythmic suck-swallow.

Milk production runs on supply and demand: the more milk is removed (by baby or pump), the more your body makes. This is why frequent, effective feeding in the early weeks is the single best way to establish a good supply.

• Feed on demand — watch for early hunger cues (rooting, hands to mouth, stirring) rather than waiting for crying.
• Expect 8-12+ feeds in 24 hours in the early weeks, including at night (night feeds are important for supply).
• Let baby finish the first breast (so they get the richer 'hindmilk') before offering the second.
• Cluster feeding (lots of short feeds, often evenings) is normal and boosts supply — not a sign you're 'running out'.

This is the number-one worry — and reassuringly, nappies tell you a lot. You can't see how many ounces went in, but you can count what comes out.

• Wet nappies: roughly 1 on day 1, building to 6+ heavy wet nappies a day by day 5 onwards.
• Dirty nappies: poo changes from black (meconium) to green to soft yellow by ~day 4-5; several a day early on.
• Feeding: audible swallowing during feeds, baby comes off content, breasts feel softer after.
• Weight: a drop of up to ~7-10% in the first days is normal; babies should be back to birth weight by ~2 weeks.

Sore or cracked nipples

Almost always a latch issue. Fix the latch first; express a little milk onto the nipple and let it air-dry, use a lanolin/nipple balm, and seek help if it doesn't improve. Persistent pain can signal tongue-tie or thrush — get it assessed.

Engorgement

Breasts overfull, hard and painful, often around days 3-5 when milk 'comes in'. Feed frequently, hand-express a little to soften before latching, and use cold compresses after feeds for comfort.

Blocked ducts

A tender lump. Keep feeding (start on the sore side), massage gently toward the nipple while feeding, apply warmth before and vary feeding positions. Don't stop feeding from that breast.

Mastitis

A red, hot, painful area with flu-like symptoms (fever, aches). Keep feeding/expressing, rest, fluids and pain relief. If it doesn't improve within ~24 hours or you feel very unwell, see your GP urgently — you may need antibiotics.

Low supply worries

Often perceived rather than real (cluster feeding and softer breasts are normal). True low supply usually responds to more frequent effective feeding and a latch check. Get support before topping up.

• Once feeding is established (~3-4 weeks), you can introduce a pump to build a stash or share feeds.
• Storage (rough guide): fresh breast milk ~4 days in the fridge, ~6 months in the freezer; use clean labelled containers and don't refreeze.
• Thaw in the fridge or warm water (not the microwave), and swirl rather than shake.
• Going back to work: pump during the day to maintain supply, and your baby can have expressed milk or formula while you're apart.

You don't have to figure this out alone — and asking early makes everything easier.

• Your midwife and health visitor — first port of call, including weighing and feeding checks.
• Lactation consultants (IBCLC) — specialist one-to-one support for tricky latches, tongue-tie and supply.
• National helplines and drop-ins (e.g. the National Breastfeeding Helpline in the UK) and peer-support groups.
• Your GP — for mastitis, thrush, or if you're feeling low or overwhelmed.