If you're breastfeeding your baby, there may be things you're not sure about and questions you have. Here we answer some popular questions and give breastfeeding tips to help you along...

How can I tell my baby is getting enough milk?

Signs that your baby is feeding well are:

Frequent wet/dirty nappies

Taking regular feeds - (average 8-12 feeds in 24hrs)

Baby is active, alert and has a good colour and firm skin

If you look in your red book you will find the guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which outline the optimal growth for breast-fed children. These are the standards your health visitor will use to make sure your baby is thriving.

The following are not good ways of judging

Your breasts don't feel full

Your baby starts sleeping through the night

Your baby cries after feeding

Your baby suddenly starts feeding more often

You can only express half an ounce of milk

If you are at all concerned speak to your health visitor or GP

Why does my baby want to feed constantly?

You may find that after settling into a fairly steady pattern of feeding, your baby suddenly [Breastfeeding tips]

starts feeding much more often - even every hour! This could be for a variety of reasons - maybe your baby is getting a cold. Increased breastfeeding can provide valuable protection from illness, as your baby will be receiving antibodies and immunities that your body has made especially for your baby during this time.

Some babies also pick up their breastfeeding for other reasons. Are there significant

changes in your life, for instance a move or a vacation or visitors in the house? Have you been away from your baby more than usual recently? Is your baby starting to teethe? Often changes in routine or new stages of development in the baby trigger increased desire to breastfeed for comfort and reassurance.

More often than not however, an increase in feeding is due to a growth spurt. These can generally be expected when your baby is about 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and may last several days. Respond to your baby's additional demands and this will maintain your milk supply - as well as giving opportunities for extra cuddles! Ensure that you are eating enough, drinking plenty of water and getting extra rest so your body can cope with the extra demand.

Can I take medication while breastfeeding?

Most drugs that you take will enter your breastmilk so it is best if you ask the advice of your GP or pharmacist before taking any over the counter medicine. Generally paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe pain killers.

Postnatal depression is something more that 50% of mums face and you may find that your GP will tell you that you need to stop breastfeeding to take antidepressants, this is not true. Stand your ground and ask your GP to research this thoroughly. If you look on our PND forum you will find many mums who can give you advice on this.

What can my partner do to be involved?

Many new dads feel left out when a new baby enters the family because the mum needs to spend a lot of her time caring for their new baby, when a mum is breastfeeding it feels like there is even less a dad can do. This is not true at all, there are plenty of things a dad can do to bond with his new baby - in fact it is a well known fact that a baby can be lulled to sleep much quicker tucked in against her dads chest listening to the deep relaxing rumble of his voice.

Many dads find it lots of fun to give their baby a bath, this gives them important skin to skin contact and gives the new mum a rest.

Will a dummy interfere with breastfeeding?

Don't give your baby a dummy in the first four weeks if you're trying to establish breastfeeding, as it may interfere with her ability to suck well at the boob.

Be very careful not to give your crying baby a dummy/soother when what she really needs is a feed - this is especially important if you're breastfeeding, as you could affect your milk supply.

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