Breastfeeding
HSE article for Breastfeeding
Getting breastfeeding off to a good start
How to know when your newborn baby is hungry and what to do in the early days.
Breastfeeding support search
Information on local breastfeeding support groups and volunteers in every county
Ask our breastfeeding expert
Advice on getting started and local support with specific queries answered by our breastfeeding experts.
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.
Relactation - Restarting breastfeeding
Read about starting breastfeeding after stopping (relactation) and breastfeeding without giving birth (induced lactation).
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.
Stopping breastfeeding
Ending breastfeeding slowly will help you avoid blocked ducts and mastitis. Read about how to stop breastfeeding your baby at different stages.
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.
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 latching 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.
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.
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.
Alcohol and breastfeeding
It’s best to avoid alcohol until your baby is over 1 month old. Alcohol passes into your breast milk. Read steps to take if you drink alcohol when breastfeeding...
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.
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.
Expressing breast milk
Advice on expressing by hand or using a breast pump, and how to store breast milk.