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Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! You've made it through the pregnancy and delivery, and now of course the very next thing to consider is how to feed your little one. There are already plenty of articles on the breast versus bottle debate, but I am writing from the premise that you are here because you've made your decision to breastfeed and would like a little expert guidance.

The first point to remember is that breastfeeding, just like any other new skill is something learned over time, and gets better with experience. That goes for both of you; your baby needs practice too. Don't give up or feel like a failure if you need help to get started during the early days. Don't forget that breasts come in many different shapes and sizes, as do baby's mouths and some combinations need a little more practice and adjustment than others.

Your comfort and privacy are very important and can make the world of difference to a successful feed. Make sure you are relaxed and have plenty of pillows for back support. Perching on the edge of a seat will only serve to give you a stiff neck and shoulders. A pillow on your lap can also help bring your baby into the correct position.

Always bring your baby to the breast rather than the other way round. Ensure her tummy is against yours and support the back of her head with one hand and use the other to guide not just the end of the nipple but as much of the breast as possible into her mouth, aiming up towards the roof of her mouth. If she's ready, she'll open her mouth wide and lunge towards the nipple. Once she's on, check to make sure she's not sucking her cheeks in. This can be an indication that she's not on far enough and will be nipple feeding rather than breast feeding. You should hear her swallowing.

Allow her to feed until she's satisfied and either falls asleep or takes herself off the breast. Feed from one breast at each feed in order to allow her to drain each breast entirely and obtain hind-milk which comes through after about 10 minutes of feeding. This is the richer milk with a higher fat content essential for young babies.

Don't worry if there appears to be no discernible pattern to your baby's feeding over the first few weeks. Just as you might fancy a huge roast dinner one meal and maybe just cheese and crackers the next, so it is with newborns. Trust her to take what she needs when she wants it.

Some babies have difficulty in latching on when the breasts become very full around the 3rd and 4th days. You

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