Feeding your baby
NSW Milk Bank is a partnership between NSW Health and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. It organises donated breastmilk for mothers of premature babies who cannot produce enough breastmilk.
When feeding your baby, you have the choice of:
- breastfeeding
- bottle feeding
- a combination of both.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has many benefits, as it:
- helps you bond with your baby
- has all the nutrients your baby needs for their growth and development
- helps protect your baby from infections and disease.
Breastfeeding is not always easy. Common issues you may experience include:
- breast refusal or biting
- sore nipples
- blocked milk ducts and mastitis
- over or under supply of milk.
Bottle feeding
You can bottle feed your baby with:
- expressed breastmilk
- baby infant formula.
Baby infant formula is the only safe alternative to breastmilk. It has all the nutrients your baby needs for healthy growth and development.
When using baby bottles, it’s important to know how to:
- clean and sterilise bottle feeding equipment
- safely prepare, store and warm bottles.
Get support
You can get breastfeeding information and support from:
- your local child and family health centre
- the lactation clinic at your hospital’s maternity clinic
- your local doctor
- the Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline on 1800 686 268 for 24-hour support. They also offer face to face and online breastfeeding classes, access to support groups and other resources
- Tresillian or call 1300 272 736
- Karitane or call 1300 227 464.
If you're unable to breastfeed
It is normal for those unable to breastfeed to feel regret and a sense of loss. In this situation, it can help to talk to:
- your partner, family or a close friend
- a counsellor
- the Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline on 1800 686 268 for 24-hour support
- PANDA on 1300 726 306 for emotional and mental health support.