All genders

Breastmilk can be stored. Remember to use a sterilised container to put the milk in. Find out more about how long you can store breastmilk.

Expressing milk means squeezing milk out of your breast. You would do this if you are separated from your baby for any reason.

Feeding whenever your baby wants to feed will help maintain your milk supply. This is your baby's way of making sure they have all the breastmilk they need. The milk they take is replaced each time they feed.

Your milk usually takes 2 to 3 days to come in, and pēpi (babies) usually regain their birth weight by 10 to 14 days.

Make sure your baby is properly latched. Watch a video showing you how.

Pēpi (babies) have such a strong instinct to breastfeed. Usually in that first hour your baby will start to show signs of being ready to feed. If left, they will move towards your breast and latch on by themselves.

Holding your baby against your skin straight after birth will calm your baby, steady their breathing and help keep them warm.

Before your baby arrives, find out as much as you can about how to breastfeed.

Plan for 3 meals and 1 or 2 snacks each day, once your baby’s eating a variety of foods and textures. Pēpi (babies) have small stomachs so need frequent opportunities to eat small amounts.

Help your baby learn about food by letting them play with it. Encourage their independence – give your baby their own spoon to hold when they can.

Be guided by your baby's appetite. Offer your baby new foods. Let them choose how much to eat - you decide what food is offered, your baby decides how much to eat.

It takes a little work to bring everyone together for meals. But it's worth it and the whole whānau (family) eats better.

Your baby learns about food from watching you. Your baby learns about food from watching you. Be a good role model. You can set a good example by eating a variety of healthy foods.

Around 6 months, your baby starts to need the extra vitamins and minerals (especially iron and zinc) that are in solid foods. Iron is especially important for your baby to keep blood and brain cells healthy.

The best drink for pēpi (babies) from birth to 6 months is breastmilk (or formula, if breast milk is unavailable). From 7 to 12 months, breastmilk (or formula) and water are the best drinks for your baby.

By 8 or 9 months, you can start to offer your baby their solids before breastmilk or formula. By now your baby is probably having 3 to 4 meals a day, 1 to 2 snacks, and 2 to 3 breast (or formula) feeds.