Brighton Breastfeeding Drop-in

03/11/2025

Do join us tomorrow at Brighton Breastfeeding Drop-in 10:30-12:00 at Hanover Community Centre. We meet every Tuesday – come every week or every so often.
We are a community support group run by volunteers, join us for a chat with other new (or less new) parents in a calm, friendly space as you are getting to know your baby and perhaps finding your way as a parent for the first time.
We are all qualified to provide support around feeding challenges whatever the age of your baby and however they feed. You are also welcome to come along before your baby is born to find out about feeding.
Partners, older children and family support welcome.
Tea and coffee are provided, if you are able to give a small donation to contribute to our room hire costs this will help keep us running.
Look forward to seeing you there!

01/11/2025

50th centile is not a target! A baby on the 50th centile is not doing better than a baby on the 9th centile for weight, any more than an 5’8 woman weighing 10st is doing better than a 5’5 woman weighing 9st.

The centiles are just to give us an idea of what is appropriate growth for any particular baby. So a baby born around the 50th centile we would expect to stay around the 50th centile as they grow (around the centile - not exact). A baby born on the 9th centile, we would expect to stay around the 9th centile. We expect them to wobble a bit around lines - and that’s why we don’t weigh too often. If feeding doesn’t get off to the best start a baby might drop to a lower centile initially and then as feeding improves they should stabilise and we then want them to follow whatever centile they now sit on.

Centile lines are just a measure of growth - they aren’t a standard to be achieved.

26/10/2025

Did this happen to you?
Really common for babies to 'wake up' on the second night and want to feed a LOT.

This can be normal, and if feeding is comfortable that's reassuring! Remember, your ni**le should look a normal shape and colour for you after a feed.

Poo and wee are also important We look for at least 2 wees on day 2 of life, and at least 3 on day 3 of life. We're also expecting at least two poos each day, and it will start to change colour from black/very dark green, through to green and then yellow.

Also keep an eye on your baby's skin, eyes and gums, if you notice any yellowing, reach out to your midwives as they will need assessing of their levels of jaundice. (Which can be common, and usually self resolves, but shouldn't be ignored)

If you have any concerns about any of the above contact your midwife. You can also hand express some colostrum/milk to give them in a syringe or on a spoon if you want to give them some extra.

19/10/2025

Milk Storage Capacity.

Some have a larger milk storage capacity. Some have a smaller storage capacity. It's not related to breast size!
Both can make enough milk for their baby as long as they follow their baby's cues and feed responsively, and there are no underlying health issues that may cause low supply.

If you imagine a large 4×4 and a small car both travelling from Plymouth to Edinburgh. The large 4x4 may have to stop twice to refuel. The small car may need to stop four times. However, they both get to Edinburgh and probably use a similar amount of fuel in total.

It's the same with breastfeeding. The average baby breastfeeds around 11 times in 24 hours, but the range of normal is quite vast. Some babies will be ok with one breast every 2-3 hours and other babies will need both breasts every 90 mins. But as long as you follow your baby's needs and your baby is feeding efficiently, you should make enough milk with either feeding pattern (assuming none of those underlying health concerns). Feeds are also not evenly spaced throughout the day/night. There may be times they cluster and times they have a longer stretch.

If you're unsure about how frequently your baby is feeding, keep an eye on nappy output and weight gain. We like to see 6 wet nappies a day from day 6 onwards and at least 2 poos a day up to 6 weeks (after that some babies reduce the frequency of poos and this is ok).

Seek some breastfeeding support if you're still unsure and make sure everything is going ok.
You can find local free face to face support by googling "Breastfeeding Support" and your postcode and see what's available in your area.
Or book an IBCLC consultation for 1:1 help in your home. Or book a video call with me.

Is your baby a 2 b**b or a 1 b**b baby?
......

11/10/2025

06/10/2025

Come along tomorrow to Brighton Breastfeeding Drop-in 10:30-12:00 at Hanover Community Centre. We meet every Tuesday – come every week or every so often.
We are a community support group run by volunteers, join us for a chat with other new (or less new) parents in a calm, friendly space as you are getting to know your baby and perhaps finding your way as a parent for the first time.
We are all qualified to provide support around feeding challenges whatever the age of your baby and however they feed. You are also welcome to come along before your baby is born to find out about feeding.
Partners, older children and family support welcome.
Tea and coffee are provided, if you are able to give a small donation to contribute to our room hire costs this will help keep us running.
Look forward to seeing you there!

05/10/2025

29/09/2025

Come along tomorrow to Brighton Breastfeeding Drop-in 10:30-12:00 at Hanover Community Centre. We meet every Tuesday – come every week or every so often.
We are a community support group run by volunteers, join us for a chat with other new (or less new) parents in a calm, friendly space as you are getting to know your baby and perhaps finding your way as a parent for the first time.
We are all qualified to provide support around feeding challenges whatever the age of your baby and however they feed. You are also welcome to come along before your baby is born to find out about feeding.
Partners, older children and family support welcome.
Tea and coffee are provided free, if you are able to give a £2 donation to contribute to our room hire costs this will help keep us running.
Look forward to seeing you there!

28/09/2025