Your baby

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Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding 

Breastfeeding information forms are available via this link Read more about breastfeeding

    Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby

    • it’s all your baby needs to eat and drink for about the first six months
    • it helps protect your baby against colds, tummy-bugs, infections and allergies
    • it helps your baby feel safe and secure

    Breastfeeding is best for you too

    • it’s free
    • it saves you time
    • it gives you a chance to rest while you are feeding your baby
    • it helps you feel close to your baby
    • it may reduce your risk of some cancers and bone disease 

    Breastfeeding Healthed resources

    Breastfeeding your baby booklet provides clear, simple suggestions covering the nursing relationship, why breast milk is a baby’s best food, different ways to hold the baby during breastfeeding, how to ensure the baby is on the breast in the best way, frequency of feeds, breast care and further help.

    Can be viewed online in the following languages 

    Breastfeeding support 

    There are a number of organisations in the Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti Coast who provide support with breastfeeding. These include:

    Links to resources and information

    Hand expressing https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/video-hand-expressing-breastmilk

    Using a pump and your hands at the same time to make more milk http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

    Remember, if you have a risk factor for low milk supply ( induction of labour, caesarean section, polycystic ovaries, diabetes, baby in NICU, IVF, obesity and some others) it is very valuable to have some colostrum for your baby, especially on the 2nd night.

    Check with your LMC midwife or consultant if they are happy for you to start expressing and collecting your milk whilst you’re pregnant. If you experience uterine tightenings whilst expressing, or any bleeding, then stop and consult your LMC.

    Breastfeeding DVD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shhSsbEcqkI 

    YouTube clip showing how to latch your baby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l5BpqllTLg

    http://www.skintoskincontact.com/ssc-based-mother.aspx why skin to skin is important

    http://www.llli.org/resources.html La Leche League - for great information about breastfeeding

    The Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative provides advice about breastfeeding, links to youtube, and if you want to know more about proven health benefits of breastfeeding

    http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/good-latch-key-successful-breastfeedingThis site has graphics of latching baby at the breast, and hand expressing

    http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/breastfeeding-questions-support The NZ Ministry of Health’s breastfeeding website

    Expressing and latching breastfeeding videos 

    These videos provide advice on how to breastfeed and solutions to problems you may encounter.

    How to Express Breastmilk (with Mandarin subtitles)

    Attaching your baby at the breast (with Mandarin subtitles)

    Is your baby getting enough milk? (with Mandarin subtitles)

    Increasing your milk supply

    Deep latch technique

    Read more about healthy eating, support services, looking after your health while pregnant, support services, newborn screening programmes and parenting help, information and courses.

    You can also find out about giving birth at our hospitals, as well as support from our community midwifery and obstetric teams here.

    Screening, tests and checks

    There are a number of tests and checks that will be offered for your baby in the first few weeks:

    • A referral to Orthopaedics will be done to check their hips if your baby has risk factors.
    • A midwife will complete a test shining light into your baby's eyes to make sure there are no cataracts or other eye problems (Red Eye Reflex).

    Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme

    This screens for rare but potentially serious disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU), cystic fibrosis and congenital hypothyroidism. A blood sample is taken from your baby's heel at 48 hours of age (the 'heel prick' or 'Guthrie' test).

    Find out more about newborn metabolic screening.

    Newborn Hearing Screening Programme

    This screens for hearing loss, referring to audiology for diagnosis and treatment.

    Newborn Hearing Screeners will arrange a hearing test as close to your baby being 48 hours old. See Newborn Hearing Screening on the National Screening Unit website for more information..

    Find out more about newborn hearing screening.


    Power to protect

    When your baby keeps on crying

    One of the hardest times can be when your baby keeps on crying and you can’t work out why. If you find yourself getting upset, it’s OK to put your baby down gently in a safe place, walk away and take a break.

    Do not pick up your baby until you have calmed down. Your baby is more likely to calm down when you are feeling calm and in control.

    Look after yourself. Make a cup of tea or coffee, or phone a friend or someone in your whānau.

    You could also phone PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice or support.

    Never shake a baby

    Never, ever shake a baby. Never leave a baby alone with anyone who may lose control. A single moment of losing control may damage a baby forever. Babies can die if they are shaken.

    If you ever think your baby has been hurt, call 111. Don’t let fear or pride stand in your way. It could save your baby’s life.

    The Kidshealth website has a video called Power to Protect about how to cope with the stress of a baby’s crying and what can happen if a baby is shaken.

    Related websites

    Crying: what to do – Kidshealth
    Why babies cry and what you can do about it.

    Shaken baby syndrome – Kidshealth
    Why you should never shake a baby. Also includes the Power to Protect video.

    SUDI – sudden unexplained death in infancy

    Our pēpī are our greatest treasure, you have an important role in helping to keep them safe to breathe. Here are some of the ways you can help:

    • Place baby in their own baby bed, face clear of bedding & toys, in the same room as their caregiver.
    • Eliminate smoking in pregnancy and protect baby with a smoke free whanau, whare and waka
    • Position baby flat on their back to sleep, face up towards the sky
    • Encourage and support Mum, so that baby is breastfed – the best kai for baby. Use gentle hands and words with baby.

    Baby needs your help keeping safe to breathe to lower their risk of SUDI – sudden unexplained death in infancy. You have the power to support your baby with the best start in life. 

    Please see health promotion videos from https://sudinationalcoordination.co.nz/health-promotional-videos

    Last updated 12 July 2022.