Advice after your nerve block for surgery
On this page…
This page has helpful links and information for you and your new baby.
Go to the following birth section of our maternity website. There you can find:
- community visits – who will come to see you and your baby
- contact numbers – how to call us if you need help
- feeding – where to get advice and support about feeding your baby
- caring for your baby – how to look after your little one
Breastfeeding is going well when:
- your baby has 8 or more feeds in 24 hours
- your baby is waking up to feed
- your baby has normal skin colour
- your baby is calm while feeding and happy after most feeds
- your baby has wet and dirty nappies:
- day 1–2: 1–2 wet, 1 or more dirty
- day 3–4: 3–4 wet, 2 or more dirty (changing colour)
- day 6+: 6 wet, 2 or more yellow dirty
- breastfeeding feels comfortable
- by day 3–4, you can hear your baby swallowing during feeds
Talk to your midwife or health visitor if:
- your baby has fewer than 6 feeds in 24 hours
- your baby is not waking up to feed - without you waking them
- feeds last longer than 40 minutes every time
- your baby looks yellow on their skin, eyes or mouth (jaundiced)
- baby keeps coming off the breast or refuses to feed
- baby doesn’t have enough wet or dirty nappies
- you have pain in your breasts or nipples that doesn’t go away after the first few sucks
- you can’t hear swallowing after day 3–4
- baby falls asleep on the breast and never finishes a feed
- you think your baby needs a dummy or formula milk
Good positioning and attachment - CHINS
- Close - baby held close to your body
- Head - let baby's head tilt back
- In line - baby’s head and body in line
- Nose - baby's nose level with your nipple
- Sustainable - the position is comfortable for you
Signs of good attachment
- chin touches breast
- mouth wide open
- lower lip curled down
- nose is free, not pressed into breast
- cheeks look full
- more dark area (areola) above top lip
- feeding is pain-free
- rhythmic sucking and swallowing (with some pauses)
Your community team will visit you in the first few days after you go home. From day 10, your health visiting team will take over.
If you need extra help, our infant feeding teams run special breastfeeding clinics every week. These are appointment only.
How to get an appointment:
- Frimley Park Hospital: ask your midwife or health visitor to email a referral, or you can email yourself: fhft.
infantfeedingfph @nhs.net - Wexham Park Hospital: ask your midwife or health visitor to email a referral, or you can email yourself: fhft.infantfeedingteam@nhs.net
It’s normal for babies to cry, but it can feel hard. There are tips and support to help you cope when your baby cries a lot.
Frimley Healthier Together has helpful information about what signs to look for if your baby is unwell and what you should do.
Watch a short video to learn how to put your baby to sleep safely and reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. If you stop, you can restart. Giving formula to a breastfed baby will lower your milk supply. You don’t need special foods while breastfeeding, just eat a healthy diet.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Maternity service.
About this information
Service:
Maternity
Reference:
M/049
Approval date:
20 April 2026
Review date:
1 April 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.