Help is available, free, every day

Breastfeeding is natural but it is a skill that takes time to learn for both parent and baby. Getting good support in the early days makes an enormous difference. If you are struggling, please reach out. The National Breastfeeding Helpline is free: 0300 100 0212 (8am to midnight, every day).

This information is for general guidance only.

It does not replace advice from your midwife, health visitor, infant feeding team or lactation consultant. Read more about our approach.

Breastfeeding guide UK: getting started and getting help

The NHS recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months if possible, as breast milk provides ideal nutrition and immune protection. That said, feeding your baby, in whatever way works for your family, is what matters most.

Breastfeeding is natural, but it is not always straightforward. Many people find it challenging in the early days. This guide covers how to get started, positions, how to tell if your baby is getting enough milk, common problems, and where to get support in the UK. Read it alongside our guides to your newborn's feeding schedule, postnatal recovery and breastfeeding after a caesarean.

How breast milk works

Colostrum (first milk)

Produced from mid-pregnancy. Thick and yellowish, in small amounts. Packed with antibodies, growth factors and immune cells. Your baby's stomach is the size of a marble on day 1, so small volumes are exactly right. Never discard colostrum, every drop matters.

Milk coming in

Transitional milk arrives around days 3 to 5. Breasts may feel full, firm and warm (engorgement). Feed frequently to regulate supply.

Mature milk

Established by around 2 weeks. Foremilk (watery, quenches thirst) comes first, hindmilk (richer, higher fat) as the feed progresses. Let baby finish the first breast before offering the second.

How supply works

Supply is driven by demand. The more milk removed (by feeding or expressing), the more is produced. Feeding frequently in the early days is essential to establish supply. Do not supplement with formula without first talking to a breastfeeding specialist if you are hoping to breastfeed, because it can reduce supply.

Getting started: the first hours and days

Skin-to-skin immediately after birth. Place baby skin-to-skin on your chest as soon as possible. Babies have a natural instinct to find the breast and latch within the first hour.

First feed. Aim within the first hour of birth if possible.

If you have had a caesarean, skin-to-skin in the operating theatre or recovery room is usually possible. See our c-section recovery guide for positions.

Ask your midwife for help before they leave you alone with your baby. The early feeds are the most important moment for support.

Positioning and latch: the most important section

Signs of a GOOD latch

  • Baby's mouth is wide open, covering most of the areola (not just the nipple)
  • Chin is pressed into the breast
  • Nose is clear or just touching
  • Cheeks are full and round, not sucked in
  • You hear swallowing once milk has come in
  • You feel tugging or pulling but NOT sharp pain

Signs of a POOR latch

  • Nipple pain during or after the feed
  • Nipple looks pinched, lipstick-shaped or white when baby comes off
  • Baby's lips are not flanged outward
  • Clicking sounds during feeding (air getting in)
  • Baby is feeding frequently but not satisfied

Four main positions

Cradle hold

Baby across your body, tummy to tummy. Classic position, great once latching is established.

Cross-cradle hold

Your opposite arm supports baby's head, giving more control. Ideal for newborns and latch difficulties.

Rugby (football) hold

Baby tucked under your arm, feet toward your back. Useful after caesarean and for large breasts or flat nipples.

Side-lying

Both lying on your sides facing each other. Ideal for night feeds and recovery from birth.

To latch baby on

  • Hold baby close, tummy to tummy.
  • Aim the nipple toward baby's upper lip or nose, not the centre of the mouth.
  • Wait for a wide gape, then bring baby quickly onto the breast.
  • Do not lean in. Bring baby to you.

Is my baby getting enough?

Signs feeding is going well

  • At least 6-8 wet nappies a day from day 4-5 onwards
  • Frequent yellow, seedy stools in the early weeks (breastfed babies)
  • Baby seems satisfied after feeds (not necessarily asleep; some babies are alert and content)
  • Baby regains birth weight by 2 weeks (most do by 10-14 days)
  • Weight gain of roughly 150-200g per week from week 2

Normal patterns that worry parents

  • Cluster feeding (several feeds close together, especially in the evening). Normal, helps build supply.
  • Feeding every 1-2 hours in the early weeks. Normal and necessary.
  • Growth spurts at around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months: more intense feeding for 2-4 days while supply adjusts.

Contact your midwife or health visitor if

  • Baby is not regaining birth weight by 2 weeks
  • Fewer than 5-6 wet nappies a day from day 5
  • Baby is very sleepy and difficult to wake for feeds
  • Baby is not passing stools after the first week

Common problems and solutions

Sore or cracked nipples
  • Usually caused by a shallow latch.
  • Seek a latch assessment from your midwife, health visitor or infant feeding team as soon as possible.
  • Nipple cream (lanolin or Lansinoh) after feeds helps healing.
  • Air dry nipples after feeds. Gel breast pads can soothe.
  • Do not stop feeding, which would make engorgement and mastitis more likely. Fixing the latch solves the problem.
Engorgement
  • Full, firm, hot breasts around days 3 to 5 as milk comes in.
  • Feed frequently (8 to 12 times in 24 hours).
  • Cold compress between feeds, warm compress just before a feed.
  • Express a small amount before feeds to soften the areola so baby can latch.
  • If very severe, ask about reverse pressure softening from your midwife or infant feeding team.
Mastitis
  • A hot, red, hard, painful wedge-shaped area of one breast, often with flu-like symptoms and fever.
  • Not caused by anything you did wrong.
  • Keep feeding from the affected breast. It is safe for your baby and essential to clear the blockage.
  • Contact your GP the same day. Antibiotics are usually needed.
  • Rest, fluids, and ibuprofen for pain and inflammation (check with your GP if you are feeling very unwell).
  • If not improving within 24 hours on antibiotics, call your GP again.
Low milk supply: perceived vs real
  • Most women who worry about low supply actually have plenty for their baby's needs.
  • Frequent feeds, breast size and lack of leaking are NOT indicators of low supply.
  • True low supply is much less common than feared.
  • What helps: feeding on demand, responsive feeding, not limiting feed duration, not supplementing unnecessarily.
  • If you want to continue breastfeeding, seek an assessment from a breastfeeding specialist before introducing formula.
Nipple thrush
  • Burning, shooting breast pain during and after feeds.
  • May accompany oral thrush in baby (white patches in the mouth).
  • Antifungal cream for your nipples, oral drops for baby.
  • Treat both at the same time even if one of you has no symptoms.
  • See your GP for prescription treatment.
Tongue tie
  • A short or tight frenulum (skin under the tongue) can restrict tongue movement and cause feeding difficulties.
  • Signs: poor latch, nipple pain, poor weight gain, clicking during feeds.
  • Diagnosis by a trained practitioner (midwife, lactation consultant or tongue tie practitioner).
  • Treatment: frenotomy, a minor procedure to release the tie, available on NHS and privately across the UK.

Breastfeeding and returning to work

You have the right to express breast milk at work in the UK. Your employer must provide a clean, private space (not a toilet) and a fridge to store expressed milk. This applies to all employees regardless of contract type.

Electric breast pumps are available to hire or buy. A double electric pump is most efficient for maintaining supply while working.

Storing expressed milk

  • Room temperature (under 25°C): up to 6 hours
  • Fridge (4°C): up to 5 days
  • Freezer: up to 6 months

Weaning from breastfeeding

NHS and WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, then continuing alongside solid foods for as long as you and your baby wish. There is no evidence that breastfeeding beyond 12 months is harmful, and the WHO recommends up to 2 years.

Stopping breastfeeding: drop feeds gradually to avoid engorgement and mastitis. Replace one feed at a time over several weeks. You do not need to stop at 6 months, continue as long as works for you.

UK support organisations

National Breastfeeding Helpline

0300 100 0212 — 8am to midnight, every day of the year, free.

La Leche League

laleche.org.uk — peer support and local groups across the UK.

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM)

abm.me.uk — helpline and online support.

NCT Breastfeeding Line

0300 330 0700

Lactation consultants (IBCLC)

lcgb.org — find a registered lactation consultant.

Related guides and tools

Your guide to newborn care→ Postnatal recovery guide→ Mental health after birth→ Breastfeeding after caesarean→

A note from our team

This guide reflects NHS UK, UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative and La Leche League guidance. If you are finding breastfeeding hard, please reach out early. Things almost always get easier with the right support. Read more about us.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my baby is latched on correctly?
A good latch is deep: baby's mouth is wide open, covering most of the areola (not just the nipple), chin is pressed into the breast, nose is clear or just touching, cheeks are full and round, and you hear or see swallowing. You should feel tugging or pulling but not sharp pain. Nipple pain, a clicking sound, pinched or lipstick-shaped nipple after feeds all suggest the latch needs adjusting.
How often should I breastfeed a newborn?
Feed on demand, typically 8 to 12 times in 24 hours for a breastfed newborn. Cluster feeding (several feeds close together, often in the evening) is normal and helps build supply. Growth spurts at around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months mean more intense feeding for a few days while supply adjusts.
Does breastfeeding hurt?
Initial tenderness for a few days is common as you get used to feeding, but ongoing pain is not normal and almost always indicates a latch issue. Seek help quickly from your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist. Persistent pain can usually be resolved with latch correction or other support.
What is mastitis and how do I treat it?
Mastitis is inflammation of breast tissue, often with infection, causing a hot, red, hard, painful area and flu-like symptoms. Keep feeding from the affected breast, which is safe for baby and essential to clear the blockage. Contact your GP the same day, as antibiotics are usually needed. Rest, fluids and paracetamol or ibuprofen help. See a GP again if you are not improving within 24 hours on antibiotics.
Can I breastfeed after a caesarean?
Yes. Skin-to-skin and first feed are usually possible in theatre or recovery. The rugby ball hold and side-lying positions keep pressure off your incision. Most painkillers used after caesarean are breastfeeding-compatible, usually paracetamol and ibuprofen. See our c-section recovery guide for more.
How long should I breastfeed for?
The NHS and WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, then continuing alongside solid foods. The WHO recommends continuing up to 2 years or beyond if mother and baby wish. There is no evidence that longer breastfeeding is harmful. Any amount is beneficial, and the right duration is the one that works for your family.
What is tongue tie and how is it diagnosed?
Tongue tie is a short or tight piece of skin under the tongue (the frenulum) that can restrict movement and affect feeding. Diagnosis is made by a trained practitioner such as a midwife, lactation consultant or specialist NHS tongue tie clinic. Treatment (frenotomy) is a quick, minor procedure to release the tie. Tongue tie is not always a problem. It is only treated if it is affecting feeding.