Breastfeeding Support

Principles, paediatric red flags, and where to get specialist help.

Last reviewed: Reviewed 2026.06.09
Sources cited: 5 sources
Author: Dr Jubal John, FRACP
Category: medical guides

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Take-home

Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both of you. Most parents need some hands-on help to get going, and the support available is excellent. Use it early.

A few principles

Skin-to-skin in the first hour, then often after.
Deep, asymmetric latch: more areola visible above baby’s top lip than below, flanged lips, chin to breast.
Feed on cue: typically 8-12 times in 24 hours; evening cluster-feeding is normal.
Pain past the first few seconds is a signal, not a feature. Usually a latch fix.
Ask early, not late. Most problems are easier to sort in the first two weeks.

Four common holds

Try several. The right hold is the one that lets your baby take a deep, asymmetric latch with your shoulders relaxed.

1 · Cradle

Across the body

Baby horizontal across your front, head in the crook of the same-side elbow as the feeding breast. The classic hold once feeding is established.

2 · Cross-cradle

Opposite arm holds head

Same position as cradle, but the opposite hand supports the baby's head — gives you more control. Best for early-weeks latch work.

3 · Football / Rugby

Tucked under the arm

Baby's body tucked under your arm on the feeding side, feet pointing behind you. Good after a caesarean, or for tandem-feeding twins.

4 · Laid-back

Baby on your chest

You semi-reclined, baby tummy-down on your chest, gravity doing the work. Often the easiest in the first days; sometimes called "biological nurturing".

Four standard holds. Adapted from the Australian Breastfeeding Association and the Raising Children Network.

Feeding is going well if

Audible swallows during the feed.
4–6+ heavy wet nappies a day from day 5 (fewer in the first few days, building up as feeding establishes).
3+ mustard-yellow stools a day in the first 6 weeks.
Baby comes off content; breast feels softer.
Birth weight regained by day 14, then ≈150-200 g/week.

When to ring for review

Watch closely — MCH Line 13 22 29 for advice

Within 24-48 hours

Ongoing nipple pain or visible damage
Fewer than 4 wet nappies / fewer than 3 stools at day 5
Feeds over 45 minutes with no settled interval afterwards
A persistent firm, lumpy area in the breast

Same day

Baby not feeding, floppy, hard to wake
Weight loss over 10% of birth weight
Maternal fever + red breast area (mastitis)
Sunken fontanelle, no wet nappy for 8 hours, drowsy baby

Where to get help