Breastfeeding Safety Tips Every Mum Should Know

Breastfeeding is one of the safest ways to nourish your baby, providing perfectly tailored nutrition along with immune-boosting antibodies. However, there are important safety considerations every breastfeeding mother should be aware of to ensure both mum and baby remain healthy and protected.

Safe Positioning and Handling

How you position yourself and your baby during feeds affects both safety and comfort. Always ensure you are fully awake and alert when breastfeeding. If you feel drowsy, it is safer to place your baby in their bassinet or have someone else take over.

When feeding in bed, follow safe sleep guidelines. Position pillows away from your baby's face, keep loose bedding at a distance, and never feed on a sofa or armchair where you might fall asleep—the risk of suffocation is significantly higher on soft surfaces with cushions and gaps.

Medication and Breastfeeding

Many medications are compatible with breastfeeding, but some can pass into breast milk and potentially affect your baby. Before taking any medication—including over-the-counter medicines, herbal supplements, and vitamins—discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.

Some general guidelines for medication safety:

• Always inform healthcare providers that you are breastfeeding before receiving prescriptions
• Paracetamol and ibuprofen are generally considered safe at recommended doses
• Some cold and flu medications contain ingredients that can affect milk supply or make babies drowsy
• Timing doses after feeds can minimise the amount of medication in your milk during the next feed
• If you need a medication that is not compatible with breastfeeding, pumping and discarding may be recommended temporarily

Alcohol and Breastfeeding

The safest approach is to avoid alcohol while breastfeeding, but if you choose to drink occasionally, understanding how alcohol affects breast milk helps you make informed decisions.

Alcohol passes freely into breast milk at roughly the same concentration as your blood alcohol level. It takes approximately 2 hours for one standard drink to clear from breast milk—longer for additional drinks. There is no benefit to "pumping and dumping" as this does not speed up alcohol clearance; only time removes alcohol from your milk.

If you plan to drink, consider:

• Feeding your baby immediately before having a drink
• Having expressed milk available if your baby needs to feed before the alcohol has cleared
• Waiting at least 2 hours per standard drink before breastfeeding again
• Never bed-sharing after consuming alcohol

Food Safety Considerations

While breastfeeding, you can generally eat a normal, varied diet. The good news is that many foods restricted during pregnancy—like soft cheeses and sushi—are safe while breastfeeding. However, some considerations remain important:

Caffeine: Caffeine does pass into breast milk. While moderate consumption (2-3 cups of coffee per day) is generally considered safe, some babies are more sensitive than others. If your baby seems unsettled or has difficulty sleeping, try reducing your caffeine intake.

Fish: Fish is an excellent source of nutrition, but limit high-mercury fish such as shark (flake), swordfish, and king mackerel. Lower-mercury options like salmon, sardines, and canned tuna (in moderation) provide beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

Allergens: Unless your baby has been diagnosed with a specific food allergy, there is no need to avoid common allergens like peanuts, eggs, or dairy while breastfeeding.

Recognising Mastitis and Breast Infections

Mastitis is a breast infection that requires prompt attention. Recognising the signs early helps prevent complications. Symptoms include:

• A red, hot, painful area on your breast (often wedge-shaped)
• Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and body aches
• Feeling generally unwell
• A hard lump in the breast

If you suspect mastitis, continue breastfeeding (it is safe for your baby and helps clear the infection), apply warm compresses before feeds, and see your doctor promptly. Antibiotics may be needed to treat the infection.

Safe Breast Milk Storage

If you are expressing and storing breast milk, following proper storage guidelines ensures your milk remains safe for your baby:

• Room temperature (up to 26°C): Up to 4 hours for freshly expressed milk
• Refrigerator (4°C or lower): Up to 72 hours (store at the back, not in the door)
• Freezer (-18°C or lower): Up to 6 months (though safe for 12 months, quality decreases over time)

Always label stored milk with the date expressed and use the oldest milk first. Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator or by placing the container in warm water—never microwave breast milk as this creates hot spots that can burn your baby.

When Your Baby is Unwell

Continuing to breastfeed when your baby is sick is generally recommended and beneficial. Your milk provides hydration, nutrition, and antibodies to help fight the illness. If your baby has a cold and is struggling to feed due to congestion, try feeding in a more upright position and using saline drops to clear their nose before feeds.

However, contact your healthcare provider if your baby:

• Is not producing wet nappies as usual
• Seems lethargic or unusually sleepy
• Refuses to feed for an extended period
• Has a high fever
• Shows signs of dehydration (dry mouth, sunken fontanelle, no tears when crying)

Creating a Safe Feeding Environment

Your feeding environment matters for safety. Ensure your feeding area is free from hazards—secure any cords, keep hot drinks out of reach, and have a safe place to put your baby down when needed. If you are using a nursing pillow, never leave your baby unattended on it, even for a moment.

For night feeds, set up your space safely. Use dim lighting that allows you to see without fully waking either of you, and have everything you need within arm's reach so you do not need to get up while holding your baby.