Breastfeeding

Personal hygiene for breastfeeding mothers

Information on how to keep good hygiene while breastfeeding including hand washing tips and how to stop pain and infection.

Breastfeeding and rooming-in

Rooming-in is sleeping in the same room with your baby during your postnatal hospital stay. Read why this is beneficial for breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding during pregnancy

You can continue to breastfeed during pregnancy, but you will notice a drop in your breast milk supply. Read what to expect as your milk changes.

Taking medication while breastfeeding

Read about breastfeeding if you have a cough, cold or sore throat, and breastfeeding with hay fever.

Breastfeeding after a caesarean section

Breastfeeding is possible after a caesarean section. Read advice on breastfeeding positions, pain relief and what to expect.

Breastfeeding - One side preference

What to do if your baby will only feed on one side, why this happens and where to get help and support.

Breastfeeding after a CT scan

It's safe to breastfeed after a CT scan. Any contrast material that gets into your milk will be very small. Read more about breastfeeding after a CT scan.

Breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples

It is possible to successfully breastfeed with flat or inverted nipples. Read tips on how to get started and where to go for support.

What happens at a breastfeeding support group

Breastfeeding support groups take place all around Ireland. Watch an example of a breastfeeding support group in action.

Caring for older children when breastfeeding

Breastfeeding a new baby while caring for a toddler or child can be challenging. Read some tips on how to prepare and what to do when the new baby arrives.

Relactation - Restarting breastfeeding

Read about starting breastfeeding after stopping (relactation) and breastfeeding without giving birth (induced lactation).

Breastfeeding - Reverse pressure softening

Reverse pressure softening is a way to soften the areola (the circle around your nipple). Read how it can help with breastfeeding and expressing.

Breastfeeding - Sore nipples

Nipple pain should not last any longer than one week when breastfeeding. Get advice on the causes of sore nipples when breastfeeding and what can help.

Extended breastfeeding (beyond 1 year)

If you can, continue to breastfeed for up to 2 years and beyond. Read about the benefits of extended breastfeeding for you and your baby.

Breastfeeding - Block feeding

Block feeding is a breastfeeding method to help with leaking breasts. Read about how to get started.

Breastfeeding and fertility

It is possible to get pregnant while you are breastfeeding. Read about fertility when breastfeeding and how to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Engorgement while breastfeeding

What to do when your breasts are too full of milk, hard or painful when breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding - Leaking breasts (oversupply)

How to deal with an oversupply of breast milk and leaking breasts when breastfeeding.

Mastitis while breastfeeding

Find out the causes of mastitis while breastfeeding, if you can still breastfeed with mastitis and how to treat this condition.

Breastfeeding - Common myths

Fact and fiction about breastfeeding, including when to stop, whether it hurts, whether it makes your breasts sag and whether your baby will get enough milk.

How to care for your partner during breastfeeding

Tips to help you look after your partner when she first starts breastfeeding.

Blocked (plugged) duct while breastfeeding

Get advice on how to unblock a blocked duct when breastfeeding.

The importance of breastfeeding

Find out about the importance of breastfeeding for you and your baby, and where you can get advice and support.

Breastfeeding twins or triplets

How to get started breastfeeding twins or multiple babies, and how your milk supply is affected.

Weight gain in breastfed babies

Advice for breastfeeding and what to expect as your baby gains weight and goes through growth spurts.

Breastfeeding and work

How to prepare and plan for breastfeeding at work and your legal entitlements.

Tongue-tie and breastfeeding

Tongue-tie is when your baby's tongue doesn't move freely. It can affect attaching when breastfeeding. Learn about tongue-tie and the treatment available.

Combination feeding - Breast milk and formula

Combination feeding is when you feed your baby both breast milk and formula milk. Your baby may take time to adjust. Read advice on combination feeding.

Your first breast milk or 'colostrum'

The first milk your breasts produce is called colostrum. It's yellow and thicker than later breast milk. Find out about its benefits in keeping your baby healthy.

Breastfeeding - Cluster feeding

Cluster feeding is when your baby wants to feed very often at certain times. Read tips on dealing with fussy breastfeeding, why it happens and getting support.

Expressing breast milk for a premature or ill baby

Why expressing breast milk is important if your baby is too small or sick to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding - Concern about overfeeding

What to expect when breastfeeding, how to tell if your baby is hungry or full, and how to schedule your breastfeeds.

Breastfeeding in public

It's normal to feel a bit self-conscious breastfeeding in public for the first time. But this gets easier. Read tips on breastfeeding in public, including your rights.

Alcohol and breastfeeding

Concern about your breast milk supply

Concern about breast milk supply is a common worry for breastfeeding mothers. Get advice on increasing your supply and what to do if you’re worried.

What to eat while breastfeeding

You don't need a special diet when breastfeeding. But you should eat an extra 300 to 500 calories a day, drink water and limit certain foods while breastfeeding.

Expressing breast milk

Advice on expressing by hand or using a breast pump, and how to store breast milk.