Some things breastfeeding parents may not realise...

• Your nipple is just the exit for the milk

• If your baby is only latched and sucking on your nipple, they won't be getting much - if any - milk but may tire themselves out from the effort and fall asleep, making you think they've fed and been satisfied...

• Baby needs to approach the breast chin first with the nipple aimed up their nose/to the back of their mouth NOT the middle. Your nipple isn't a bullseye needing to be central in baby's mouth!

• Baby should approach the breast with a wide open mouth so they take in a large amount of breast tissue beyond the areola (the darker ring around the nipple)

• If you're getting lots of nipple pain when feeding, although quite common, this is not "normal". Start by getting support with positioning and attachment and see if things improve! If baby is shallowly latched onto your nipple sucking, it will hurt!

• If you're hand expressing e.g. to relieve a full breast or when antenatally collecting colostrum, focus on positioning your hand behind the areola - squeezing on the nipple won't bring you milk, will hurt and may make you worry about your supply unnecessarily!

I hope this was helpful!