10 Breastfeeding Tips Every New Mum Should Know: Real Talk from a Midwife + Mum

Viva Expert Renata from Lila Jasmine is a midwife, nurse, and mum of three who’s helped hundreds of women navigate the 4th trimester. In this blog, she shares 10 practical and empowering tips to support your feeding journey - and protect your mental health along the way.

Written by Viva Expert Renata from Lila Jasmine: Midwife, Nurse & Mum

Breastfeeding can be beautiful, powerful, and bonding but also messy, painful, and overwhelming. As a midwife, mum of three, and founder of Lila Jasmine, I’ve supported hundreds of women through the 4th trimester. Whether you're breastfeeding for the first time or navigating it again with a newborn, here are 10 practical and empowering breastfeeding tips that I teach in my 4th Trimester Workshop, created to support your postpartum journey and protect your mental health.

1. Prepare in Pregnancy - Not Just for Birth, But for Feeding Too

Most of us spend heaps of time preparing for birth, but not nearly enough for breastfeeding. Learn about milk supply, latching, cluster feeding, and what to expect in those early days. The more you understand before your baby arrives, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s go time.

• Tip: Join a workshop or antenatal class that includes breastfeeding education [like our 4th Trimester Workshop].

2. Skin-to-Skin is Pure Gold

Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and in the early weeks helps regulate baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing - and it stimulates your milk production hormones [prolactin and oxytocin]. This helps establish a stronger supply and makes breastfeeding easier overall.

• Pro tip: Don’t stop skin-to-skin just because you’ve left the hospital keep it going at home, especially during fussy periods or supply dips.

3. Latch Is Everything

A shallow latch can lead to cracked nipples, poor milk transfer, and pain. If you’re unsure, ask for help. A deep latch [nose-to-nipple, wide mouth, chin touching the breast] protects your nipples and keeps your baby satisfied.

• Tip: If the latch does not become comfortable after 10 seconds you need to de-latch with your pinky finger and latch again.

4. Cluster Feeding Is Normal and Important!

In the first 6–8 weeks, your baby might want to feed every hour especially in the evenings. It’s not because they aren’t getting enough milk. Cluster feeding is how babies help build your supply when they’re growing. You’re not “failing”—you’re calibrating.

• Tip: This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of breastfeeding. Knowing it’s normal can save your mental health!

5. Fuel Your Body to Fuel Your Baby

Your body needs energy, hydration, and nutrients to make milk. A good breastfeeding diet includes protein, healthy fats, whole food carbs, and galactagogues like oats and brewer’s yeast.

• Tip: Check out our Lila Jasmine lactation bars — a delicious, convenient way to nourish your body and support supply, especially when you're too tired to make a meal.

6. Hydration = Happy Hormones

Breastmilk is around 88% water, and dehydration can make you feel sluggish, anxious, or dizzy. Always keep a big bottle nearby and sip throughout the day. Coconut water, smoothies, or herbal teas are great too.

• Tip: Every time your baby feeds, you drink too - that’s the rule!

7. You’re Still Healing, Rest Counts

Feeding every 2-3 hours is intense. You’re also recovering from birth, physically and emotionally. Don’t try to “bounce back.” Prioritise rest and recovery, especially in the first 40 days. That includes naps, lying down, and saying no to visitors.

• Tip:  Sleep deprivation affects mental health, milk supply, and your mood. Rest isn’t optional, it’s essential.

8. Ask for Help Early and Often

If feeding is painful, your baby isn’t gaining weight, or you feel overwhelmed - get support. Midwives, lactation consultants, and even online breastfeeding groups can be incredibly helpful like La Leche League.  There’s no gold medal for doing it alone.

• Tip: Build a feeding nest: make your space work for you because comfort matters when you're feeding 8–12 times a day!

9. Mental Health & Milk Supply Are Connected

Stress, anxiety, and trauma can impact let-down and milk production. Prioritise mental health just as much as physical recovery. If you're feeling weepy, irritable, or not yourself, it’s OK to ask for help. It’s not always “just hormones”, your wellbeing matters.

• Tip: Consider taking the Edinburgh Scale Test, a screening tool used to assess mood in pregnancy and postpartum. 

10. There’s No One “Right” Way to Feed

Every baby and mum are different. Some mums combo-feed, some exclusively pump, some wean early - and all are valid. Breastfeeding isn’t all or nothing. Choose what works best for you, your baby, and your mental health.

• Tip: What matters most is that you feel supported and respected in your feeding choices.

Breastfeeding is deeply personal. Whether you feed for a day, a year, or not at all, you deserve care, support, and encouragement. At Lila Jasmine, we believe in nourishing mums with real food, real information, and real talk.

Mama, there’s no one “right” way to feed your baby - but you do deserve the right support. We hope Renata’s wisdom helps you feel more prepared, empowered, and held through the ups and downs of breastfeeding. Need a little extra TLC during these marathon feeds? Yes! We've got boob balm that works. Explore our postpartum essentials - Shop the range - You've got this. And we've got you!