Feeding difficulties
Breastfeeding is something you and your baby learn together, and it can take time for you both to feel comfortable and confident. If you are finding breastfeeding painful, or your baby does not seem settled or satisfied after feeds, it may be that they are not attaching to the breast as well as they could. Support is available, and small changes can often make a big difference. The resources below offer guidance and support to help you with breastfeeding.
- Find out how to latch your baby on (Best Start in Life)
- Learn the signs that your baby is well attached.
- Common breastfeeding problems - NHS
If you are experiencing feeding difficulties and your baby is less than 8 weeks old, please get in touch with your Breastfeeding Support Worker or call the TAS line .
Breastfeeding problems
Get help with common problems like sore nipples and breast pain.
- Common breastfeeding problems
- Sore or cracked nipples when breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding: is my baby getting enough milk?
- Breast pain and breastfeeding
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)
During your baby’s development, a small piece of tissue (the frenulum) helps guide the shape of the mouth. Towards the end of pregnancy, this tissue usually becomes thinner and moves back towards the base of the tongue. In some babies, this does not happen fully. This is called tongue-tie and can sometimes affect feeding. It may be more common in babies born early. Not all babies with feeding difficulties will require treatment.
When to seek help
If you think your baby may have a tongue-tie, it’s important to seek advice from a healthcare professional, such as your midwife, health visitor, or breastfeeding support worker. Babies under 16 weeks can also self-refer to the Worcestershire Tongue-tie Clinic for an assessment. These services are provided by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. For more information about tongue-tie and available support, visit: Restrictive Frenulum (Tongue Tie) - Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.