Overview
As your baby grows, breastfeeding evolves to meet their changing needs. While many aspects remain the same, new challenges and adjustments can arise as your baby becomes more active, starts solids, or as you balance work and feeding. This guide covers essential tips, common concerns, and advice for this stage of breastfeeding. If you’re looking for information on establishing breastfeeding and some of the challenges that come with it visit our Newborn Breastfeeding page.
The World Health Organisation endorses exclusive breastfeeding beginning one hour after birth, until six months of age. From there, add nutritious, complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed, until your child turns two.
Breastfeeding While Introducing Solids
From around 6 months, your baby may start exploring solids, but breastmilk remains their primary source of nutrition until around 12 months. Here’s how to navigate this transition:
- Offer Breastmilk First: Continue offering breastfeeds before solids to ensure your baby receives adequate nutrition.
- Use Solids as Exploration: Solid foods are complementary and help your baby explore new tastes and textures.
- Maintain Breastfeeding Frequency: Expect your baby to continue breastfeeding 4-6 times per day, depending on their appetite and age.
Returning to Work
Returning to work may sometimes require adjustments to your breastfeeding routine. Workplace laws support breastfeeding mothers and allow for a lactation break. Here are some tips to ease the transition:
Expressing and Storing Milk:
- Express milk during work hours to maintain supply and provide milk for your baby. Aim to express milk as often as your baby would normally feed to maintain your milk supply during the workday. This may mean expressing every 3-4 hours, resulting in about 2-3 expressing sessions during an 8-hour workday. Investigate a private room with a comfortable chair at work where you can express, and where you may be able to securely store your clearly labelled breastmilk. You may need some milk collection bags, and a cooler box with ice bricks to transport your breastmilk home.
- Store expressed milk safely: refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage (up to 6 months).
- The Australian Breastfeeding Association provides some helpful resources on storing expressed breast milk here.
- Sometimes it may be possible for someone to bring the baby to work for a breastfeed. Discuss your possible options with your employer.
Karitane tip:
Breastfeed your baby before and after work to maintain connection and milk supply.
Things to consider
- Baby’s Feeding Schedule: If your baby feeds more frequently (e.g., every 2-3 hours), you may need to express more often to match that schedule.
- Work Breaks and Flexibility: Try to adjust expressing times to fit within your work breaks or vice-versa, aiming for consistent sessions. Speak with your manager to ensure they understand your needs and work on scheduling lactation breaks that work for you.
- Pumps: If you will be expressing at work for lengthy periods, it may be worth considering a good quality electric pump. If you can use a double electric pump, this will save you time, which will help keep you on track in the long run.
- Work Clothing: Consider what clothing you will be wearing. A top and a bottom may sometimes be easier than a dress. Button-up shirts can also be more practical.
- Relax and Stay Hydrated: Stress may reduce milk output. When you sit down to express, try and have a drink bottle with you to keep hydrated. Use relaxation techniques or look at photos of your baby to help with milk letdown.
Weaning
If you decide to reduce breastfeeding, do so gradually to prevent discomfort or engorgement. Try removing one feed at a time over a few days, and replacing it with formula, or solids - depending on your child’s age. If you’re unsure speak to your child health nurse or GP. The Karitane Virtual Breastfeeding Clinic can also help. Click here to book a free consultation.
Reducing milk supply: If you’re still producing milk, express a small amount to relieve fullness and prevent blocked ducts. Gradually reduce expressing frequency as your milk supply adjusts. Continue to monitor your breasts for any signs of blocked ducts or mastitis.
Common Challenges in Older Babies
Distraction During Feeds: Older babies are naturally curious and may get easily distracted. Create a calm, quiet environment for feeding, especially during the day- this may mean going into a separate room with no distractions.
Breastfeeding on the Go: Wear nursing-friendly clothing for convenient feeds when out and about. If you’re not comfortable breastfeeding in the open, try and find a parent’s room or private space you can feed in beforehand to avoid panic or frustration when baby is hungry. Using a nursing cover may be useful when feeding in public to maintain privacy.
Biting: Teething may lead to biting. Respond calmly, say “no” firmly, and detach your baby if they bite. Offering teething toys before feeds may help.
Night Feeding: Babies may continue night feeds for comfort or nutrition. If you choose to, you may gradually try and reduce these feeds as they approach 12 months if it aligns with your goals.
Tips for Breastfeeding Older Babies
Monitor Growth: Continue regular health check-ups with your GP or Child and Family Health Practitioner to ensure your baby is growing and thriving.
Good Nutrition and Hydration for Mum: Stay hydrated and eat a well-balanced diet, to maintain milk supply, especially when managing work and breastfeeding.
Follow Baby’s Lead: Your baby’s feeding patterns may change each day due to many reasons Be flexible, responsive, and adjust as your baby needs.
Breastfeeding during this exciting stage is an opportunity to bond with your baby while supporting their nutritional needs. Help is available, please reach out to your healthcare provider or book a FREE consultation with the Karitane Virtual Breastfeeding Clinic here.
