If you're looking for breastfeeding tips, you've come to the right place! As we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2025, we will take you on a journey through the beauty and chaos of breastfeeding.
From leaky boobs to your first latch, maternity bras to nursing pillows, we delve into all things breastfeeding, from the good, to the bad, to the milky!
Contents:
- Why Breastfeeding Week Matters
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The Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Insta Vs Reality
- Support & Where to Get It
- Tips & Tricks
- Celebrate Your Journey – Every Drop Counts
Why Breastfeeding Week Matters
National Breastfeeding Week is an annual event celebrated on the first week of August every year.
Starting in 1992 with an idea to raise awareness, it allows women to open up about breast feeding, ensuring they knew where to get support when they needed it. As well as gaining knowledge and information to breastfeed for as little or as long as they like.
With the goal to highlight the importance or breastfeeding, as well as promote it, it encourages women to come together and share experiences. Because let's face it, no one has the same journey, but we guarantee someone will have had similar.
Whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, expressing, combination feeding, or just starting to explore your options, it’s not always easy — and that’s okay!
The Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding isn’t just about feeding — it’s about connection. Those quiet (or not-so-quiet) moments together help build a strong emotional bond between you and your baby.
Benefits for Baby
Breast milk is basically baby’s first superfood — packed with everything they need to grow, build a strong immune system, and stay healthy.
It’s easy on their tiny tummy and magically changes to suit what your baby needs (even mid-feed!). If they’re feeling under the weather, your body actually boosts antibodies in your milk to help fight it off — how cool is that?
Plus, the close contact during feeding also supports emotional development and creates a sense of safety, comfort, and connection. In a nutshell, more cuddles.
Top Tip: Try using a breastfeeding pillow to help!
Benefits for Mum
It’s not just good for baby — there are big perks for you too!
Breastfeeding helps your uterus shrink back faster, can reduce postpartum bleeding, and may lower your risk of things like high blood pressure and certain cancers.
It also releases oxytocin (aka the feel-good, bonding hormone), which can help you relax and connect with your baby.
Oh, and fun fact: when done exclusively, it can even act as a natural form of birth control in the early months — though we wouldn’t rely on it forever!
Insta Vs Reality
Let’s be real — while breastfeeding is natural, it’s not always easy. It can be messy, emotional, exhausting, and sometimes painful.
From cracked nipples and cluster feeds to trying to get the perfect latch at 3am with one eye open, it’s a steep learning curve for both you and your baby. And despite all the lovely moments, it can sometimes feel overwhelming or even lonely — especially if things don’t go how you expected.
There’s also a lot of pressure out there, and it’s easy to compare yourself to others. But the truth is, every feeding journey is different.
Some babies latch easily, others take time. Some mums love breastfeeding, others don’t — and that’s OK. What matters most is that you and your baby are happy, healthy, and supported.
Support & Where to Get It
If you're struggling, you're not failing — you’re learning. And help is out there. Whether it’s a midwife, a lactation consultant, a support group, or just a friend who gets it, you don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you’re facing challenges or just need reassurance, there’s support out there.
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Midwives and Health Visitors – These professionals are trained to support you with breastfeeding, latching, positioning, and any concerns you might have in those early weeks.
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Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) – Experts in all things feeding. If you’re struggling with pain, supply worries, or tongue-tie concerns, an IBCLC can offer personalised, hands-on support.
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Peer Support Groups – Sometimes, the best support comes from someone who’s been there. Look for local breastfeeding support groups or drop-ins, often run by organisations like the NCT, La Leche League, or local children's centres.
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Online Communities – Facebook groups, forums, and social media can be amazing spaces to connect, ask questions, and realise you’re not alone — just remember to look for advice from trusted sources.
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Family & Friends – If you have someone supportive in your life, lean on them. Whether it’s bringing you a snack during a feed or just listening when you need to vent, small acts of kindness make a big difference.
Sometimes, the right products can make a world of difference — especially when you're navigating the early days (and nights!) of breastfeeding. Here are a few favourites that can help make things more comfortable and convenient:
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Nursing bras – Soft, supportive, and designed for easy feeding access without fiddly straps or wires.
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Breastfeeding pillows – Great for propping baby up, reducing strain on your arms and shoulders, and finding the right position.
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Nipple cream – A must-have in those first few weeks to soothe and protect sore or sensitive nipples.
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Breast pads – To help manage leaks and keep you feeling dry and comfortable throughout the day.
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Pumping bras – Ideal if you're expressing, giving you hands-free freedom and better support while you pump.
Whether you’re feeding at home, on the go, or in the middle of a night-time cluster feed, these small comforts can make things feel a little easier.
Tips & Tricks
So, how can you make breastfeeding a little easier? Here are some simple tips and tricks to help:
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Get comfy before you start. Use cushions, a footstool, or a nursing pillow — your arms, back, and shoulders will thank you.
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Bring baby to you, not the other way around. This helps with positioning and saves you from a sore back.
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Wait for that wide-open mouth. Tickle baby's lip with your nipple and let them latch when ready — no need to rush it.
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Try different feeding positions. Side-lying, rugby hold, or laid-back feeding can all be game-changers. Find what works for you.
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Use nipple cream early and often. Even a little soreness can benefit from some TLC — and your nipples deserve it!
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Keep water and snacks nearby. Breastfeeding can make you surprisingly hungry and thirsty, especially in the early weeks.
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Look out for cluster feeding. It’s normal and doesn’t mean you’re not making enough milk — just your baby building supply.
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Don’t hesitate to ask for help. A quick chat with a lactation consultant or health visitor can make a huge difference.
Celebrate Your Journey – Every Drop Counts
No matter what your breastfeeding journey looks like — whether you fed for a year, a month, a week, or just gave it a go — you’ve done something incredible.
Breastfeeding isn’t all or nothing. Every latch, every expressed bottle, every attempt, and every drop of milk is worth celebrating.
The truth is, this journey can be full of highs and lows. Some days you feel like a superhero, and other days it might feel like it’s all falling apart. But even in those moments, you’re showing up, learning, and giving your baby love, care, and comfort, and that’s what truly matters.
So take a moment to notice the little wins: mastering a new feeding position, surviving a cluster feeding session, asking for help when you needed it, or simply getting through the day with your sanity (mostly) intact. They all count.
This Breastfeeding Week, let’s honour every parent’s unique journey. However you feed your baby, you deserve to be proud of yourself.