Breastfeeding - Well Child

Plunket
Plunket is New Zealand's leading provider of Well Child and family health services in New Zealand. Plunket programmes aim to support families with young children.

In some cities additional individual support and practical help for parents is provided. Plunket Karitane Family Centres provide extra help and support on parenting issues, including breastfeeding, infant nutrition, sleeping, child behaviour and other child health concerns. For your local Plunket office or Plunket Karitane Family Centre, check the Plunket website or look under Plunket in your phone book.

Postal address: PO Box 5474, Wellington 6145

National office phone: 64 4 471 0177

National office fax: 64 4 471 0190

Breastfeeding

Key points

Why breastfeed

How long should I breastfeed

How to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding and Working

Where to go for help

Further information

Key Points

· Breastfeeding is best for both mothers and babies

· Breastfeed your baby until he or she is ready for and needs extra food at around 6 months of age, and then continue to breastfeed to 12 months of age and beyond.

· Most women can breastfeed. Many mothers need help when they begin breastfeeding, especially with a first baby.

· Build up your milk supply by letting your baby feed as often and as long as he wants to

· You can still give baby breast milk if you return to work

· If not breastfeeding use infant formula until at least one year of age

Why breastfeed?

· Breastfeeding provides babies with a perfect blend of nutrients and antibodies

· Breastfeeding helps protect babies from infections including infections, meningitis, ear infections and urinary infections

· Breastfeeding reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)

· Breastfeeding and breastmilk may protect a baby from chronic tummy problems and some childhood cancers - there is also evidence of a reduced risk of allergies, eczema and asthma.

· Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of obesity and may help reduce the risk of diabetes in baby’s later life.

· Breast milk is free and convenient

· Breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer

How long should I breastfeed for

· Breastfeed your baby until he or she is ready for and needs extra food at around 6 months of age, and then continue to breastfeed to 12 months of age and beyond.

· If you return to work or study you can continue to give your baby breastmilk

· Introduce solids gradually from 6 months of age, including those containing iron

How to breastfeed

· Ask to feed your baby as soon as possible after birth

· Hold the baby close, tummy to tummy and nose to nipple to allow him to latch on

· Baby needs to have his mouth wide open to latch on correctly

· Build up your milk supply by letting your baby feed as often and as long as he wants to

For more information on how to breastfeed see:

· The Ministry of Health Breastfeeding Support website which includes links to Video and pictures demonstrating positioning and latching.

Breastfeeding and working

Plan how you will feed baby before returning to work

For information about options for feeding including expressing and working see: Breastfeeding and working.

Also available in Samoan and Tongan

Support and help with breastfeeding is available from:

midwives
Plunket (see contact details in Where to go for more information) http://www.plunket.org.nz/your-child/newborn-to-6-weeks/food-and-nutrition/
all Well Child providers
your general practice team
La Leche League (see contact details in Where to go for more information)

If you are having difficulty breastfeeding, you can be referred to a specialist lactation consultant.

Where to go for more information and support

Telephone advice

· ring PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for advice about breastfeeding, nutrition or your child's growth.

· LLL (La Leche League) leaders provide free telephone advice about breastfeeding issues

Website advice

· the Ministry of Health Breastfeeding Support website has useful advice including video and pictures of how to breastfeed and discussion of common problems

· Plunket http://www.plunket.org.nz/ (See below)

· La Leche League http://www.lalecheleague.org.nz

Organisations

LLL (La Leche League) New Zealand

La Leche League New Zealand offers:

groups in centres throughout New Zealand
free monthly meetings
telephone help at any time
free lending library
books and leaflets for sale
mother-to-mother support

Postal address: PO Box 50780, Porirua 5240

Phone 64 4 471 0690

Plunket
Plunket is New Zealand's leading provider of Well Child and family health services in New Zealand. Plunket programmes aim to support families with young children.

Postal address: PO Box 5474, Wellington 6145

National office phone: 64 4 471 0177

National office fax: 64 4 471 0190

Breastfeeding

Key points

Why breastfeed

How long should I breastfeed

How to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding and Working

Where to go for help

Further information

Key Points

· Breastfeeding is best for both mothers and babies

· Breastfeed your baby until he or she is ready for and needs extra food at around 6 months of age, and then continue to breastfeed to 12 months of age and beyond.

· Most women can breastfeed. Many mothers need help when they begin breastfeeding, especially with a first baby.

· Build up your milk supply by letting your baby feed as often and as long as he wants to

· You can still give baby breast milk if you return to work

· If not breastfeeding use infant formula until at least one year of age

Why breastfeed?

· Breastfeeding provides babies with a perfect blend of nutrients and antibodies

· Breastfeeding helps protect babies from infections including infections, meningitis, ear infections and urinary infections

· Breastfeeding reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)

· Breastfeeding and breastmilk may protect a baby from chronic tummy problems and some childhood cancers - there is also evidence of a reduced risk of allergies, eczema and asthma.

· Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of obesity and may help reduce the risk of diabetes in baby’s later life.

· Breast milk is free and convenient

· Breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer

How long should I breastfeed for

· Breastfeed your baby until he or she is ready for and needs extra food at around 6 months of age, and then continue to breastfeed to 12 months of age and beyond.

· If you return to work or study you can continue to give your baby breastmilk

· Introduce solids gradually from 6 months of age, including those containing iron

How to breastfeed

· Ask to feed your baby as soon as possible after birth

· Hold the baby close, tummy to tummy and nose to nipple to allow him to latch on

· Baby needs to have his mouth wide open to latch on correctly

· Build up your milk supply by letting your baby feed as often and as long as he wants to

For more information on how to breastfeed see:

· The Ministry of Health Breastfeeding Support website which includes links to Video and pictures demonstrating positioning and latching.

Breastfeeding and working

Plan how you will feed baby before returning to work

For information about options for feeding including expressing and working see: Breastfeeding and working.

Also available in Samoan and Tongan

Support and help with breastfeeding is available from:

midwives
Plunket (see contact details in Where to go for more information) http://www.plunket.org.nz/your-child/newborn-to-6-weeks/food-and-nutrition/
all Well Child providers
your general practice team
La Leche League (see contact details in Where to go for more information)

If you are having difficulty breastfeeding, you can be referred to a specialist lactation consultant.

Where to go for more information and support

Telephone advice

· ring PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for advice about breastfeeding, nutrition or your child's growth.

· LLL (La Leche League) leaders provide free telephone advice about breastfeeding issues

Website advice

· the Ministry of Health Breastfeeding Support website has useful advice including video and pictures of how to breastfeed and discussion of common problems

· Plunket http://www.plunket.org.nz/ (See below)

· La Leche League http://www.lalecheleague.org.nz

Organisations

LLL (La Leche League) New Zealand

La Leche League New Zealand offers:

groups in centres throughout New Zealand
free monthly meetings
telephone help at any time
free lending library
books and leaflets for sale
mother-to-mother support

Postal address: PO Box 50780, Porirua 5240

Phone 64 4 471 0690

Plunket
Plunket is New Zealand's leading provider of Well Child and family health services in New Zealand. Plunket programmes aim to support families with young children.

Postal address: PO Box 5474, Wellington 6145

National office phone: 64 4 471 0177

National office fax: 64 4 471 0190

Breastfeeding

Key points

Why breastfeed

How long should I breastfeed

How to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding and Working

Where to go for help

Further information

Key Points

· Breastfeeding is best for both mothers and babies

· Breastfeed your baby until he or she is ready for and needs extra food at around 6 months of age, and then continue to breastfeed to 12 months of age and beyond.

· Most women can breastfeed. Many mothers need help when they begin breastfeeding, especially with a first baby.

· Build up your milk supply by letting your baby feed as often and as long as he wants to

· You can still give baby breast milk if you return to work

· If not breastfeeding use infant formula until at least one year of age

Why breastfeed?

· Breastfeeding provides babies with a perfect blend of nutrients and antibodies

· Breastfeeding helps protect babies from infections including infections, meningitis, ear infections and urinary infections

· Breastfeeding reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)

· Breastfeeding and breastmilk may protect a baby from chronic tummy problems and some childhood cancers - there is also evidence of a reduced risk of allergies, eczema and asthma.

· Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of obesity and may help reduce the risk of diabetes in baby’s later life.

· Breast milk is free and convenient

· Breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer

How long should I breastfeed for

· Breastfeed your baby until he or she is ready for and needs extra food at around 6 months of age, and then continue to breastfeed to 12 months of age and beyond.

· If you return to work or study you can continue to give your baby breastmilk

· Introduce solids gradually from 6 months of age, including those containing iron

How to breastfeed

· Ask to feed your baby as soon as possible after birth

· Hold the baby close, tummy to tummy and nose to nipple to allow him to latch on

· Baby needs to have his mouth wide open to latch on correctly

· Build up your milk supply by letting your baby feed as often and as long as he wants to

For more information on how to breastfeed see:

· The Ministry of Health Breastfeeding Support website which includes links to Video and pictures demonstrating positioning and latching.

Breastfeeding and working

Plan how you will feed baby before returning to work

For information about options for feeding including expressing and working see: Breastfeeding and working.

Also available in Samoan and Tongan

Support and help with breastfeeding is available from:

midwives
Plunket (see contact details in Where to go for more information) http://www.plunket.org.nz/your-child/newborn-to-6-weeks/food-and-nutrition/
all Well Child providers
your general practice team
La Leche League (see contact details in Where to go for more information)

If you are having difficulty breastfeeding, you can be referred to a specialist lactation consultant.

Where to go for more information and support

Telephone advice

· ring PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for advice about breastfeeding, nutrition or your child's growth.

· LLL (La Leche League) leaders provide free telephone advice about breastfeeding issues

Website advice

· the Ministry of Health Breastfeeding Support website has useful advice including video and pictures of how to breastfeed and discussion of common problems

· Plunket http://www.plunket.org.nz/ (See below)

· La Leche League http://www.lalecheleague.org.nz

Organisations

LLL (La Leche League) New Zealand

La Leche League New Zealand offers:

groups in centres throughout New Zealand
free monthly meetings
telephone help at any time
free lending library
books and leaflets for sale
mother-to-mother support

Postal address: PO Box 50780, Porirua 5240

Phone 64 4 471 0690

Plunket
Plunket is New Zealand's leading provider of Well Child and family health services in New Zealand. Plunket programmes aim to support families with young children.

Postal address: PO Box 5474, Wellington 6145

National office phone: 64 4 471 0177

National office fax: 64 4 471 0190