The following seven video clips are based on a Breastfeeding NZ, Ministry of Health DVD that follows nine women on their breastfeeding journey. It includes tips for successful breastfeeding and shows the realities of breastfeeding for women and their families. The DVD is distributed to mums and mums-to-be by their lead maternity carer. You can also view these and other video clips online at the Breastfeeding NZ YouTube channel.

Preparing for birth

Preparing for breastfeeding covers:

• benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mum
• benefits of breast milk
• breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months
• finding out about breastfeeding while you are still pregnant
• smoking and breastfeeding

Birth - initiating early feeds

Birth - initiating early feeds covers:

• skin to skin after baby is born
• first breastfeed
• breastfeeding is instinctive for babies
• value of colostrum or first milk
• dad bonding with baby
• baby’s hunger cues

A good latch - early days

A good latch - early days covers:

• importance of having support
• a good latch is the key to successful breastfeeding
• breaking the suction
• finding a breastfeeding position that suits you
• milk coming in
• how to know if baby is getting enough milk
• importance of getting breastfeeding help early
• cluster feeding
• eating a balanced diet
• getting enough sleep

Managing challenges

Managing challenges covers:

• common breastfeeding difficulties and tips for overcoming them
• sore nipples and pain
• importance of getting breastfeeding help early
• infections, blocked ducts and mastitis
• engorged breasts
• importance of feeding on both breasts
• growth spurts and how often baby wants to feed

Out and about

Out and about covers:

• feeding baby in public – some mums might be shy, but it is a very natural thing to do
• going out without baby
• expressing milk
• breast milk and drinking alcohol

For partners, family and supporters

For partners, family and supporters covers:

• the importance of support from partners and families
• how to support breastfeeding mums
• having the baby blues in the first few days
• dealing with tiredness
• establishing a breastfeeding routine
• bond between mum and baby
• time it takes to breastfeed
• bond between baby and the family
• where to go for breastfeeding help and support

Returning to work

Returning to work covers:

• continuing to breastfeed when you go back to work
• expressing and storing breast milk
• talking to your employer about breastfeeding breaks and having a comfortable place to breastfeed
• how early childhood centres can support breastfeeding
• juggling work and home
• taking baby to work with you
• benefits to employers of supporting mums to continue to breastfeed

Acknowledgements

This series of video clips has been reproduced with the permission of the Ministry of Health, Breastfeeding NZ.