Physical

How do I know if my baby is latched on properly/sucking properly?

Your baby is correctly latched on if they take a good mouthful of breast alongside the nipple. His/her cheeks will be rounded and you won’t see much of the areola (the dark skin around the nipple). If your baby sucks well, they will drain your breast. Signs of incorrect latch include sucked-in cheeks, making clicking noises and painful feeds for you. If breastfeeding hurts, slip a clean finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the suction and let the nipple come out. Wait until your baby opens his/her mouth really wide and put them back on the breast. If you cannot correct the latch, seek support. A poor latch means your baby is not feeding effectively, which affects his/her weight and your milk supply and can lead to problems.
For more information, see: How to breastfeed

My breasts did not enlarge during pregnancy. Can I still nurse?

Most women can breastfeed, no matter what breast size they have. Women with small breasts can nurse successfully but might need to feed their baby more often as having less breast tissue affects storage of milk. Overall supply won’t be affected by breast size. For more information, see: Small breasts and breastfeeding

Can breastfeeding prevent illnesses?

Breastfeeding protects against respiratory diseases, allergies, intestinal disorders, colds, viruses, Crohn’s Disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, ear infections, some cancers and several other conditions. Protection from certain diseases extends to the mother, too.
For more information, see:
Benefits of breastfeeding for mothers
Benefits of breastfeeding for babies

Why is my baby suddenly breastfeeding constantly?

There can be various reasons for it. Your baby might be fighting a cold or infection, they might be teething, feeling frightened or uneasy about something (being away from home, having too many visitors or any other disruption to his/her routine) and going through a growth spurt (your baby is feeding more to increase your supply).

How can I stop breastfeeding?

Going cold turkey can be painful and lead to problems such as engorgement and mastitis. If you can, stop gradually. The less your baby sucks, the less breast milk your body will be making. Replace breastfeeds with formula. For more information, see: Stopping breastfeeding

My baby has tongue tie - can I still breastfeed?

To breastfeed, your baby needs to stimulate your breast with his/her tongue, so tongue tie can make feeding difficult for the baby and painful for the mother. In some cases, breastfeeding can be successful - nipple shields are sometimes recommended. If nothing works, a minor operation can correct it - this can be done at any age. If you are worried about your milk supply while awaiting treatment, start expressing. For more information, see: Expressing