Babies: breastfeeding, bottle-feeding & solids

Breastmilk and breastfeeding: benefits Breastmilk – designed by nature for human babies. Breastmilk and breastfeeding have many health and practical benefits for mothers and babies. Read more. Breastfeeding: how partners can help If you have a partner who’s breastfeeding, you have a key role. You can help breastfeeding go well by being enthusiastic, supportive and knowledgeable. VIDEO: Breastfeeding: why it's good Breastfeeding – good for baby and good for you. This video shows mums breastfeeding and explains how breastfeeding benefits baby’s health and development. How to breastfeed: in pictures This illustrated guide shows you how to breastfeed using baby-led attachment and mother-led attachment. Good attachment is key to breastfeeding success. Breastfeeding attachment techniques Good attachment is key to successful breastfeeding. Baby-led attachment is when you let baby find the breast. Mother-led attachment is when you attach baby. VIDEO: Breastfeeding and baby-led attachment Baby-led attachment is letting baby follow their instincts to find the breast and attach. It can help you get started and overcome breastfeeding challenges. VIDEO: Breastfeeding: getting a good attachment Good attachment is key to successful breastfeeding, but how do you make it happen? This video shows you how to do mother-led attachment to the breast. VIDEO: How to breastfeed: breastfeeding positions Breastfeeding positions include cradle and cross-cradle holds, football hold and lying down. This video helps you choose positions that suit you and baby. Breast refusal and babies biting the breast Breast refusal or baby breast biting are common breastfeeding issues. These issues might resolve themselves, or your child and family health nurse can help. Sore nipples and nipple infections If you have sore nipples, check your baby’s breastfeeding attachment. See your nurse or lactation consultant for help. For a nipple infection, see your GP. Blocked milk ducts (localised breast inflammation), mastitis and breast abscess Blocked milk duct symptoms include a sore lump in the breast. You can treat this at home. For mastitis or breast abscess symptoms, see a GP as soon as possible. This guide explains how to increase milk supply for your baby by breastfeeding more often. A comfy breastfeeding space and skin-to-skin contact can help too. Breastmilk oversupply and breast engorgement Breastfeeding mothers can have breastmilk oversupply and breast engorgement. Check feeding patterns, techniques and positions. Hand-expressing can also help. VIDEO: Common breastfeeding questions: enough milk, too much milk, expressing Many breastfeeding mothers worry about milk supply and whether their baby is getting enough milk. In this video an expert explains how you can tell. VIDEO: Common breastfeeding questions: how often, how long, waking baby How often should baby breastfeed? And how long? Should you wake baby for breastfeeding? Get practical advice from a lactation consultant in this video. VIDEO: Common breastfeeding questions: baby spitting up and breastfeeding diet Spitting up after breastfeeding is common and usually nothing to worry about. This video also has expert advice on eating well for breastfeeding. VIDEO: Common breastfeeding challenges and getting help It takes time to learn how to breastfeed. Positioning and attachment can also be challenging. Getting support is key, and this video tells you who can help. VIDEO: Breastfeeding problems: getting support Breastfeeding isn’t always easy. It’s important to get support early if you’re having breastfeeding problems. This video explains how to get help. VIDEO: When breastfeeding doesn’t work out It can be hard when breastfeeding doesn’t work out. You need to be supported. Get expert advice on support, plus tips for bonding while bottle-feeding. Expressing and storing breastmilk You can express breastmilk by hand, or with a manual or an electric pump. Store expressed breastmilk in special bags or containers in the fridge or freezer. Breastfeeding and returning to work It’s good for mothers returning to work to keep breastfeeding if they want to. You can make it happen by planning and talking with your employer. Breastfeeding and travelling? Ask the airline about taking breastmilk on the plane. And ask your doctor about travel medicines, vaccinations and illnesses. Infant formula and bottle-feeding Baby formula is the only safe alternative to breastmilk for the first 12 months. All Australian cow’s milk-based formulas meet strict standards. Read more. Infant formula preparation: in pictures Use this picture guide to infant formula preparation to see how to clean and sterilise bottles, make up infant formula and get bottles ready to feed babies. Infant formula: making, storing and transporting it If you’re preparing infant formula, follow the instructions on the tin exactly. You also need to know how to safely store, transport and warm baby formula. Bottle-feeding babies: giving the bottle Our guide to bottle-feeding babies tells you how to bottle-feed – preparing and giving the bottle, getting the flow right and giving the right amount. Bottle-feeding: cleaning and sterilising equipment Bottle-feeding your baby? Find out what equipment you need – bottles, teats, rings and caps – plus how to clean and sterilise it all. Mixed feeding: breastfeeding and giving infant formula Mixed feeding is breastfeeding your baby and giving them infant formula. You might do it for various reasons, including low milk supply or return to work. Weaning: stopping breastfeeding Whether weaning is led by you or baby, you can make the process of stopping breastfeeding easier if you take it slowly to start with. Get more tips. Night weaning and phasing out night feeds: things to think about There’s no hurry to night wean or phase out night feeds, but it might be an option for formula-fed babies from 6 months and breastfed babies from 12 months. It’s good to wean babies off the bottle by 12 months. You can wean quickly or gradually. If babies get upset, a cup, extra comfort and quality time can help. Introducing solids: why, when, what and how When’s the right time for introducing solids to babies? When they show signs they’re ready. Find out how to take your baby from first foods to family food. Babies can start solids around 6 months but not before 4 months. Start with pureed iron-rich foods, and move on to roughly mashed foods. See examples. Practical tips for feeding your baby solid foods When your baby is starting solids, try to keep things calm, relaxed and flexible. Be guided by baby’s interest, and prepare for some mess! Get more tips. Homemade baby food: in pictures Now that baby is eating solids, what’s the best food? Get homemade baby food ideas for preparing, cooking and storing cereal, fruit, veg, meat and more. Finger foods for babies and kids: in pictures Our illustrated guide to finger foods for kids has ideas like diced fruit and veg, egg roll, toast soldiers, bread with tasty toppings, and pasta pieces. Babies and toddlers learning to feed themselves It’s important for children to learn to feed themselves, although it can be messy! Start your baby with finger foods. Next let them practise with a spoon. Learning to drink from a cup: babies and toddlers Babies can start learning to drink from a cup from 6 months. Start with only a small amount of liquid in the cup, and try using an open cup from early on. Kids and teens need vitamins and minerals for health and development. They can get vitamins and minerals by eating a variety of foods from the 5 food groups. GI measures how quickly our bodies get energy from carbohydrates. Low-GI foods give steady, long-lasting energy. They can be good choices for children. Healthy fats and unhealthy fats: family guide Reduce unhealthy fats in your family’s diet and replace them with healthy fats. Healthy fats are in nuts, lean meat, vegetable oils, green leafy veg and more. Children need iodine for health and development. You and your child can get iodine from packaged bread, seafood, eggs, fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy. Food labels: nutritional information and ingredients Nutrition information panels on food labels list energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates and sodium. These labels help you make healthy decisions about food. Healthy food for babies and toddlers: the 5 food groups Babies and toddlers need foods from all 5 healthy food groups: vegetables, fruit, cereals and grain foods, dairy and meat. Limit salty, sugary and fatty foods. Healthy drinks for kids and teenagers What are healthy drinks for kids and teens? Water is best. Low-fat milk is OK. Soft drink, cordial and fruit juice have a lot of sugar and are best avoided. Vegetables: tips to encourage children to eat more Vegetables give children energy and can protect them against chronic diseases. Our tips can help you encourage children to eat 2-4½ serves of vegies each day.