Breastfeeding hacks – the best tips for baby feeding

June 21, 2014

Looking for breastfeeding hacks?

Following on from my post on pregnancy life hacks, here’s some simple life hacks* for breastfeeding (* these are useful top tips that will hopefully make a difference to how you nurse and feed your baby).

The best breastfeeding hacks:

So here’s a round-up of the best breastfeeding hacks. Make sure you also read all my posts on breastfeeding, life hacks for parents and ten tips for breastfeeding support.

Breastfeeding hacks - a great list of tips for happy breastfeeding - more at www.ababyonboard.com

  1. When you sit down to breastfeed, always have the TV remote, a charged phone, a drink and a snack within reach. You might be there for hours (I still have nightmares about the time Loose Women came on and the remote was all the way across the room)
  2. Breastfeeding is good downtime for everything from blogging to pinning; read some of my breastfeeding and social media tips from last year
  3. It can be quite isolating to be awake feeding in the dark at 2am (and 4am, 5am and so on). Look for other mums on Twitter on #3amfc or #nightfeed. Save your favourite TV programmes to watch on iPlayer or Netflix. Read our latest TalkMum Night Feed Nine
  4. Suffering a sartorial crisis? Make normal clothes breastfeeding-friendly by wearing a vest underneath. Pull your top up, and the vest down. This means you don’t show much boob and you don’t flash your post-baby belly. Plus it keeps you warm if you have a winter baby (read my posts on stylish summer breastfeeding dresses, winter breastfeeding dresses, breastfeeding party dresses and the my best breastfeeding bras)
  5. Going back to work, still breastfeeding and not sure how it’ll…well, work? Read this post on expressing in the workplace and read my guide to the best breast pumps
  6. If you use breastpads, have you thought about reusable ones made of fabric that you can just throw in the washing machine? They are quite bulky for during the day, so I tended to use at night or when I was around the house
  7. Make sure you always put washable breastpads in a net bag to wash though (here’s why!)
  8. Good support is necessary, both from the people around you and the physical support that props you up when you feed. I used two pillows – a v-shaped one for behind my back, and a c-shaped pillow around my waist. There’s loads of different ones, find ones that work for you
  9. The final breastfeeding hack – the c-shaped breastfeeding pillows that go around your waist also make good laptop rests, strangely enough!

If you liked my post on breastfeeding hacks, make sure you also read my posts on

32 Comments

  • Ruth

    June 22, 2014 at 11:20 am

    All hell broke loose when I was feeding and my husband left the room, leaving some rubbish on TV and the remote too far away!

    I would also say, have a drink by you while you feed. I always get a thirst about 3 mins into feeding my son.

  • gemma clark

    June 22, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    Relax, and remember it is ok to struggle

  • Sophie

    June 22, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    Snacks are a must. I need to remember to mark two drinks been here for ages.

  • Lynsey Buchanan

    June 22, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    Relax, baby can sense if your calm and take the lead from you

  • Anna R

    June 22, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    Get loads of support & give it time

  • Rebecca Phillips

    June 22, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    ask for help if you need it!

  • Alison

    June 22, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    Take it one day at a time in the difficult early weeks. Seek physical and emotional support from family and friends and online groups (great in the night). Seek professional help if you have any concerns or questions (I’ve just discovered the national breastfeeding helpline 0300 100 0212 open 9.30-9.30 every day). Do your research.
    I found these things helpful too:
    A feed me mummy breastfeeding vest, sleep nursing bra, lots to drink, Lansinoh breast pads (I leaked a lot), button up tops and a fab hubby!

  • Pia Stephens

    June 22, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it and keep demanding it xx

  • Hekna

    June 22, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Don’t judge yourself against others. The experience is different for everyone so just relax and you’ll soon find what works best for you.

  • Helen Tobin-Perry

    June 23, 2014 at 12:04 am

    I found it was useful to join a local breastfeeding group. Being around other ppl doing the same thing can help you learn a good technique and gain some confidence -remember it’s about finding what works well for you <3

  • Viv C

    June 23, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Perseverance!

  • charlotte

    June 23, 2014 at 10:18 am

    find a feeding position that is comfortable for you and baby

  • Rosie

    June 23, 2014 at 10:46 am

    Get breastfeeding support in place before the baby is born (e.g. lactation consultant contact details, a sling etc).

  • Roz

    June 23, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    Don’t be talked out of breastfeeding by unsupportive relatives, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it

  • kellyjo walters

    June 23, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    relax take your time, invest in a shawl for privacy

  • frances hopkins

    June 23, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Don’t get stressed x

  • Laura

    June 24, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Educate yourself on breastfeeding before your baby arrives.

  • Natalie Crossan

    June 24, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    Relax and do what feels right x

  • Tracy Sinclair

    June 25, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Just do whatevers right for you and baby and ask for help if you need to x

  • Sarah

    June 26, 2014 at 8:45 am

    Stay hydrated and don’t stress

  • Hannah Staveley

    June 26, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Try not to get all stressed out as can dry up your milk .x

  • Your breastfeeding tips #KBBF

    June 27, 2014 at 7:02 am

    […] parent blogger, A Baby on Board has written an excellent post, entitled Breastfeeding hacks: tips for baby feeding which is well worth a read as there are some gems in there too. She recommends viewing […]

  • Sarah Strickland

    June 27, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    Ask for help – however long you’ve been doing it for!

  • Jodie W

    June 27, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    dont worry about how long it takes to begin with, clock watching can be disheartening.

  • Mouse

    June 28, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    These will be very useful! My baby is only 8 days old and I hadn’t thought of some of these suggestions. I’ll be trying them all out in future.

  • Robyn Logan Clarke

    June 29, 2014 at 12:34 am

    Treat yourself to some nice maternity bras, they make all the difference

  • kim neville

    June 29, 2014 at 8:56 am

    relax and confidence will come

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  • BabyDevelopmentSuccess

    September 26, 2017 at 5:07 am

    Thanks for sharing your helpful tips!

    1. gillian

      October 19, 2017 at 10:21 pm

      Thanks! x

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