Breastfeeding, honestly

The latch is almost everything

Most early pain and slow weight gain come back to how the baby is attached. Aim for a deep latch:

• Baby's tummy against yours, ear–shoulder–hip in a line, nose level with the nipple.
• Wait for a wide-open mouth, then bring baby to you — not you to baby.
• More areola visible above the top lip than below, lips flanged out.
• Deep, slow sucks with pauses, and you can hear swallowing.

Tugging is normal; sharp pain, pinching or a lipstick-shaped nipple afterwards is not — break the suction with a clean finger and try again.

How supply actually works

Milk works on removal: the more milk taken out, the more your body makes. Colostrum comes first in tiny, perfect amounts; fuller milk usually arrives around day 3–5.

Feeding often, especially at night when prolactin is highest, protects supply. Long gaps, strict schedules and unnecessary top-ups are the usual reasons supply dips.

Signs it is going well: six or more heavy wet nappies a day from day five, steady weight gain, and a baby who settles after most feeds.

Common problems and what helps

• Engorgement — feed often, hand-express a little to soften before latching, cold compress afterwards.
• Cracked nipples — fix the latch first; a drop of your own milk or lanolin helps healing.
• Blocked duct — feed from that side, gentle massage towards the nipple, warmth before and cold after.
• Mastitis — a hot painful wedge plus fever and flu-like aches. Keep feeding and get medical advice the same day; you may need antibiotics.
• Thrush — burning pain after feeds with shiny nipples; both you and baby need treating.

Pumping and bottles

If feeding is going well, most families introduce a bottle somewhere between 3 and 6 weeks so someone else can feed. Pump after or between feeds rather than replacing them.

• Fresh milk: about 4 hours at room temperature, 4 days in the fridge.
• Freezer: around 6 months. Thaw in the fridge or under cool water, never in a microwave.
• Use paced bottle feeding — upright, horizontal bottle, frequent pauses.

Where to get help in Sweden

Ask your BVC nurse first — they see feeding problems daily. Many regions also have an amningsmottagning (breastfeeding clinic) you can be referred to, and 1177 gives advice by phone at any hour.

And the part no one says enough: any amount of breast milk counts, and a fed baby with a well mother is the goal. Stopping, mixing or switching to formula is a valid choice, not a failure.