Breastfeeding

Check Whānau Āwhina Plunket's chart on how to store expressed milk.

Frequent feeding is normal when your baby is first born. Baby may feed as often as every 1 to 2 hours. After the newborn period, your baby should be feeding at least 8 times in 24 hours including during the nighttime. 

Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both mum and baby, and it's very common to need a bit of extra support before you both become experts.

See hunger cues in pictures. Frequent feeding is normal when your baby is first born. Baby may feed as often as every 1 to 2 hours. After the newborn period, your baby should be feeding at least 8 times in 24 hours including during the nighttime. 

If you are worried about how your baby is feeding, ask to have a breastfeeding assessment.

The Ministry of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of your baby's life and then continuing once your baby starts solids until 12 months and beyond to give your baby the best start in life.

Check out the different ways to hold your baby when you are breastfeeding.

A checklist to follow when expressing breastmilk.

A video with suggestions if you are considering returning to work.

A video about going out and about with your baby.

A video to watch on the importance of support from partners, family and supporters.

Watch this video about common breastfeeding difficulties and tips for overcoming them.

Hints and videos on making sure your baby is properly attached to your breast.

Find out more about why skin to skin contact between you and your baby is the best place for your baby to start life. 

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.