Your growing baby
Your baby is growing and you've both overcome hurdles to get here. New exciting changes are part of the journey. Read on for a head start!
Commonly asked questions
This is a common belief but no, it is not a magic cure. There are no differences in night-waking whether a baby is having solids or only breastmilk. Frustratingly, some babies have more night-wakings when they are given solids too early. It’s best to wait until around 6 months before starting solids.
It’s normal for babies around 4 to 6 months to be distracted when feeding. There are lots of ways you can help your baby – a quiet room, a boring background and away from TVs, phones or other distractions. A colourful necklace for baby to play with can also help. Remember if your baby is hungry they will eat.
More about feeding your distracted baby.
If your baby is refusing the breast entirely, there can be a number of reasons for this.
Babies’ sleeping patterns change frequently. They go through developmental stages, learning to move and roll over, and these changes can lead to more wakes. Often this is temporary, and they will start to sleep longer stretches in their own time. When babies do wake, very few of them can self-settle, needing help to feel calm again. This may mean being breastfed back to sleep and this is normal, and okay.
As babies get older, they become more efficient at breastfeeding, getting the same amount of milk (or more!) in a quicker period. If your baby is having plenty of wet nappies and growing in length and weight, and has some content times, they are getting enough milk.
Worried your supply is low?
It’s important to know that the amount you express is not the same as how much milk you can produce or the amount your baby takes when feeding. Babies are expert ‘breast pumps’! Many mums find it takes practice to learn how to express. Getting the milk to flow as you express is one key skill.
Getting out and about
Breastfeeding Helpline
Mum2mum app
Your local support network
