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Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding, breast milk and donated breast milk information for parents.

Getting ready to breastfeed

It helps to know as much as possible about breastfeeding before your pēpi (baby) is born. Find out what you can do to prepare for breastfeeding.

HIV

People with HIV can pass it on to their babies during pregnancy, birth, and while breastfeeding.

How to breastfeed

What a good latch looks like and how to position your pēpi.

Breastfeeding problems

Common breastfeeding problems, and tips to manage them.

Tongue tie

Signs tongue tie is causing problems, how to get an assessment.

The first feeds

Starting breastfeeding and why the first feeds are so important.

Breastfeeding – getting out and about

A few weeks after the birth it is important for you to start getting out and about with your new pēpi (baby).

Returning to work

Breastfeeding and working

Supporting a breastfeeding parent

Things that you can do to support breastfeeding parents to breastfeed.

Donated breast milk

Breast milk banks and donated breast milk.

Expressing breastmilk

Expressing milk means squeezing milk out of your breast so you can store it and feed it to your pēpi later. Learn about hand expressing and storing breastmilk.

Breastfeeding after surgery

You may need a general anaesthetic for a procedure or operation while you are still breastfeeding. Most medicines used for putting you to sleep are safe for breastfeeding. Let your healthcare provider know you are breastfeeding so they can support you.

Nipple shields to support breastfeeding

Nipple shields are thin, flexible silicone covers that fit over your nipple during breastfeeding. They can help your pēpi if they have difficulty latching or feeding.