Every newborn baby is a separate individual with her own sleep-wake rhythm. And even the timing …

Sometimes it can be necessary to use a breastpump, for instance, if a newborn baby only sucks very weakly from the breast so that milk production is not adequately stimulated. Regular pumping can also build up and maintain milk production if mum and baby are separated, e.g. when you return to work or the baby is premature or ill. You can carry on feeding your baby with your precious breast milk and will be better able to continue breastfeeding at a later date.

The main difference is between manual and electric breastpumps. An electric breastpump is a good idea if you’ll be expressing milk often.

Almost every mum can breastfeed her baby. But uncertainty, incorrect information or fear can sometimes cause brand-new mums to doubt their own ability to breastfeed. During pregnancy many mums are not fully aware that breastfeeding starts immediately after the birth and that it is a skill that also needs to be learnt.