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DownloadThis is a very worrying time for everyone and especially for new parents. We want you to know that at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals we are doing everything we can to care for you and your baby at this important time.
Breastfeeding/chestfeeding takes time and practice and can be a real challenge for so many women/people in the early days. One thing this coronavirus is forcing us to do is stay indoors and avoid close contact with others. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know your baby and begin to learn how to breastfeed/chestfeed together. This is a new skill and takes time. We are here for you.
Human milk offers valuable immune protection for your baby. Every single drop contains millions of living cells and antibodies.
However you feed your baby, this is a significant time for infant brain development. Comforting and cuddling your baby will contribute to optimal brain development. Babies can never be spoiled by too many cuddles!
Please look on the Trust website My Pregnancy Matters feeding pages for information and also check out our Twitter feed and Facebook page.
In addition to this we have put together some other useful video links and resources. These resources will help you in the coming days as you start to get to know your baby.
If you have any worries or concerns around feeding and caring for your baby do not hesitate getting in touch with us. The Community Midwives telephone number is on the front of your notes.
BSUH - Attend Anywhere.
Drop-in virtual feeding support clinic.
Open 4 days a week:
Mon, Weds, Fri and Sat, 9am - 5.30pm.
Attend Anywhere is run by experienced Midwives dedicated to supporting you with your feeding journey and helping you achieve your feeding goals. This is an NHS England video consulting programme. It is secure, private and easy to use.
Following the link above, you will be taken to a page where you put in your details and join our virtual waiting room. It takes just a couple of minutes to join. We are waiting to support you. Come and give it a try!
We also have a dedicated feeding support telephone helpline.
Please call 01444 441 881. Extension: 8349.
9am-5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday.
Yes, provided your baby is well and doesn’t require care in the neonatal unit, you will be kept together and supported in skin to skin contact after you have given birth.
At the moment there is no evidence that the virus can be carried in breastmilk. The benefits of breastfeeding your baby outweigh any potential risks of giving your baby COVID-19 through breastmilk.
Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for infants and provides protection against many illnesses. Breastfeeding is particularly effective against infectious diseases because it transfers antibodies and other important immune factors to the baby. If you were thinking of giving up breastfeeding, perhaps continue until this pandemic ends.
The main risk of breastfeeding is close contact between you and your baby, as you may share infective airborne droplets. This could lead to the infection of your baby after birth.
If you have confirmed COVID-19 or have symptoms you should take all possible precautions to avoid spreading the virus to your baby.
If you are too unwell to breastfeed you may still be able to express breastmilk for your baby. Someone else who is well could give this expressed milk to your baby in a bottle.
If you choose to feed your baby with formula or expressed milk it is recommended that you follow the sterilisation guidelines carefully. If you are expressing breastmilk in hospital, a dedicated breast pump should be used.
We will keep looking at the evidence about breastfeeding and COVID-19 as it develops. Please look at the guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on their website
Dr Amy Brown, Swansea University.
We Recommend these videos from The Breastfeeding Companion for all mothers:
The Unicef Baby Friendly: Best beginnings series includes effective ineffective attachment and hand expressing.
Global Health Media: attaching your baby to the breast.
The GP Infant Feeding Network.
A mother’s milk supply is established and increased by regular and effective milk removal.
If you need to increase your milk supply:
Some babies are sensitive to milk flow, and can lose interest in feeding when the flow slows, but before they have had enough milk. Breast compression and Switch feeding can help your baby to get more milk at the breast and can increase milk supply.
Your baby may lose weight during the first three or four days and from day five you should expect steady weight gain. Your baby should regain their birth weight by the time they are 21 days old or sooner. After that, most breastfed babies gain an average 170 grams (6 ounces) per week.
By day five your baby will be feeding 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. You can expect 5 to 6 really wet nappies per day plus a minimum of two bowel movements of at least as big as a £2 coin. The stool should be runny, yellow and no longer black or green. At around six weeks old they may poo less often and still gain weight well but until then their poo is a good way to check how much milk is going through.
Your baby’s behaviour will tell you that they are satisfied and full. They will come off the breast spontaneously and will seem contented.
Many babies can breastfeed without any problems with a tongue tie and some will struggle. if your baby is having problems they will refer you to the tongue tie clinic. Please use our video or telephone consultation service. We are here to help.
Here are some resources to help you if your baby is struggling to take the milk they need. Remember, milk supply works on demand and supply: milk needs to be removed to be made. If milk isn’t removed from your body frequently, your body’s production will gradually slow down. Protect your precious supply!
Unicef breast feeding advice: Maximising your breastmilk.
Increasing the amount of milk your baby gets at the breast whilst feeding, if their tongue is restricting the amount of milk that can be transferred:
Supplementing your baby with extra breastmilk after a breastfeed. Try collecting your milk by whatever works for you:
If your baby is slipping on and off the breast and or ‘clicking’, try nipple shields as they can help with this.
The ‘flipple’ or exaggerated attachment technique can help a baby get a deeper latch at the breast.
Fresh breastmilk (including colostrum) can be kept at normal room temperature for 6 hours. It can be kept in the fridge (5 to 10°C) for 3 days. It can be kept at 4°C or lower for 5 days, but if temperature rises above 4°C after 3 days it must be used within 6 hours or thrown away.
Frozen breastmilk (at minus 18°C or lower) can be kept for 6 months.
To defrost after freezing, it will take about 12 hours to defrost in the fridge. You should use the milk as soon as it is fully defrosted.
Milk can be transported within safe storage times, provided storage temperatures are maintained. Previously frozen milk must be used immediately when fully defrosted.
Fresh milk can be transported within 24 hours, provided fridge temperatures are maintained using an insulated box and deep frozen ice packs, and total storage and transportation times do not exceed the recommended storage times. If no ice packs are used when transporting, use within 4 hours.
We recommend double electric pumps where possible. They save precious time.
ARDO are offering a £10 discount at this time for BSUH people on their hospital grade hire pumps. This reduces the price of the standard pump hire from £47 to £37. Enter code AGENTSNCT at checkout.
Other pumps can be bought online. We sell the ARDO double Calypso £125 for purchase while in hospital.
Specialist Team Support:
Infant Feeding, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust:
Helplines
This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.
The information here is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.
Publication Date: April 2022
Review Date: September 2023
