Picture it…

It’s late, your baby is hungry but won’t latch, they won’t feed, they are upset, annoyed and your anxiety levels are at an all time high.

You know in the morning everything will be better, and it will, you just need to get through tonight and reach out for support in the morning.

So here are my top tips on how to get you through the night.

1. Strip! Be naked, both you and baby from the waist up, have skin to skin. If you’re too anxious or worked up ask your partner to have a go.

Skin to skin helps to regulate heart beats, blood pressure, stress levels and promotes breastfeeding and oxytocin. A chilled out baby and parent is more likely to end up a successful breastfeed.

2.Have a bath together (with another adult close by to transfer baby to when you’re getting out of the bath)- again promotes oxytocin and relaxation as well a sensory input.

3. Have a change of scenery, move to a different room .

4. Try some baby massage or use a carrier/sling

5.If you are feeling baby has colic or reflux, try to hold your baby on their left side at an angle. Don't overly pat the baby, as this can upset the baby further.

6. Use a spoon or syringe to feed your baby (ask your care provider to show you during antenatal or birth visits) - make sure your baby is say upright and awake, do not pour the milk into the baby, rather allow baby to sip from the sterilised spoon, or slowly drip into the cheek allowing baby to swallow between drops.

7. Keep calm, sing or hum to your baby.

8. Keep stimulus to a minimum

If you've tried all of these, and you still feel there is something breastfeeding, lactation or feeding wise that maybe causing fussyness or upseting your baby, reach out for support.