A GENTLE GUIDE

TOWARDS

Pain-Free
Breastfeeding
10 Evidence-Based Tips to
Help You Avoid Common
Breastfeeding Complications
– Right From The Start

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD

How To Avoid Pain Right From The Start

For many women,

breastfeeding starts off
tough and only gets
tougher.

But the truth is, breastfeeding

complications, like nipple pain
and low milk supply, are not
inevitable!

By preparing for labour, birth

and breastfeeding now –
before your baby arrives –
you’re setting yourself up for a
breastfeeding journey that’s
full of confidence and free
from pain. (Well done, you!)

Let’s jump right in!

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 01

Before Birth

You may be surprised to

learn that the events that
occur during your labour
and birth have a
significant influence on
how breastfeeding starts.
Keep these tips in mind…

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 02

 Avoid unnecessary
01 intervention

Hospital systems are quick to

intervene during labour and
birth—not in the best interest
of women and their babies,
but in the interest of “efficiency” (read: profit). But some interventions
increase the need for pain relief, which can negatively affect the first
breastfeed.

If your care providers recommend interventions like induction or membrane

sweeping, it’s within your rights to ask questions: Why are they recommending
the procedures? What are the benefits and risks? Are they necessary?
Are there alternatives?

You may well want to move forward with the recommended intervention. That’s within
your rights, too! We only want you to be able to make informed decisions. And few
hospital systems will freely admit that some procedures are unnecessary.

02 Research Pain-Relief Options

Opiate pain relief, such as epidurals, can make newborn babies feel sleepy,
which can cause a delay in the first breastfeed. There are many non-opiate
options for pain relief available. Do your research so you can make informed
decisions about what’s best for you and your baby.

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 03

Immediately After Birth

The three hours

immediately following
birth are The 3 Golden
Hours. Avoiding a delay or
interruption to your first
breastfeed will
significantly increase the
likelihood of breastfeeding
success. So you’ll want to
protect those hours!
Here’s how:

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 04

 Insist on skin-to-skin
03 contact

Taking your baby into your arms

and onto your skin immediately
after your baby is born is critical for
both you and your baby—
emotionally and physically. If your
baby’s Apgar Score is 7 or above,
your baby belongs with you, in your
arms.

Avoid unnecessary
04 routine procedures

Most routine procedures can wait

until after your 3 Golden Hours and
should not interrupt or delay your
first breastfeed. And remember, if
your baby’s Apgar score is 7 or
above, your baby should come to
you for skin-to-skin time right
away.

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 05

You Don’t Have
To Figure Out
Breastfeeding Alone.
Join our Facebook Group!
Have you dropped by The
Thompson Method Facebook
Group yet?
It’s full of women just like
you, and it’s a safe place to
learn more about The
Thompson Method and
receive encouragement
along your breastfeeding
journey, including teething
and weaning.

It’s free, and we’d love to

CLICK HERE
welcome you in.

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 06

The First Breastfeed

Generally, within 30-60

minutes after being born,
your newborn (with an
Apgar score of 7 or
above) will instinctively
move toward your breast.
Here’s what to do next…

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 07

 Protect your
05 3 Golden Hours

Your first breastfeed may

take 2-3 hours to complete.
Your newborn, occasionally
stopping to look at you, will
feed leisurely on and off both of your breasts while drawing down the thick,
rich colostrum.
As your baby feeds during this time, your hormones will increase, gradually
increasing your breast milk volume. Usually, milk volume peaks 72-96 hours
after birth, but if you’ve had opiate pain relief, it may take longer.

Avoid others
06 handling your baby

The early hours and days of

breastfeeding are incredibly
important for you and your
baby. So this period of
bonding should not be interrupted by others handling your baby (with the
exception of your partner, of course!).

It’ll be tempting to play “pass the baby” with friends and family early on, but to
establish breastfeeding, it’s best to wait, so your baby becomes accustomed
to your smell (and your partner’s) and feels secure with you, particularly in
those first few days.

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 08

 Breastfeed again after
07 your baby’s first sleep

After the first breastfeed, your

baby may need to sleep. The
length of the first sleep varies
for each baby, and hospital
policy may encourage you to limit this time. (Remember: This is your baby.
You can speak up!)

While your baby is sleeping, it’s a great time for you to get some rest too. Then,
when your baby awakes from their first sleep, feed frequently, on and off both
breasts. Please avoid the commonly taught forceful techniques at all costs.

08 Observe your baby

If you find yourself staring at

your baby all day, don’t be
surprised. That’s perfectly
normal… and it’s helpful for

your breastfeeding journey, too! Holding and looking at your baby releases
oxytocin in your bloodstream, which is the body’s feel-good hormone. The
sensation of your baby’s lips on your nipple also stimulates oxytocin
production, assisting in the transfer of breast milk through your nipple ducts.

Observing your newborn baby will also help you learn about how your baby is
communicating with you.

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 09

 Avoid Forceful
Breastfeeding
Techniques
The go-to breastfeeding guidance from
hospitals is often forceful, out of date and
inconsistent, which can lead to a range of
painful and stressful complications that
derail a woman’s determination to
breastfeed.

The Thompson Method is a gentle, natural

approach that will help you prevent
common breastfeeding complications,
like nipple pain and low milk supply.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ONLINE PROGRAM

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 10

The 72-96 Hours

During this time, your

baby will be busy
stimulating both breasts
frequently, swallowing
small amounts. This
releases prolactin into
your bloodstream, a
hormone that gradually
increases your milk
production.

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 11

 09 Feed from both breasts frequently

Feeding frequently from both breasts gradually increases your milk volume.
It’s normal to feel quite tired during this time. Just remember: Frequent
feedings won’t last forever! Try to keep your breastfeeding goals in mind, and
if possible, resist giving your baby a dummy/pacifier or feeding your baby
non-human milk (formula) unless absolutely necessary.

Note: The Thompson Method is not “anti-formula.” Every woman and her baby
are unique, and we support a woman’s decision to feed her baby however she
chooses. Our only motivation is to ensure women who want to breastfeed
have the education and support they need to do so for as long as they wish.

Practice ”rest and

10 digest”

At around 72 to 96 hours (on

average), your breasts will start
to feel full, and you’ll notice your
baby swallowing more regularly.
Your milk volume is starting to
peak! Continue to feed your baby from both breasts, but include a “rest and
digest” period in between. On average, the aim is to feed your baby from both
breasts each feed (with a rest and digest period) around 7 times in 24
hours. This process of spacing out feeds will help regulate and maintain your
breast milk volume, as well as reduce the risk of breast engorgement and
mastitis.

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 12

Next Steps…
Once you have your newborn baby in your arms,
you’ll have a lot more questions about
breastfeeding. You’ll be embarking on a journey of
growth and development presenting new
experiences (and some challenges) – and that’s
just in the first few weeks!

The Thompson Method is here for

you!
As many as 80% of mothers stop breastfeeding
before they want to. But that doesn’t have to be
your story!
The Thompson Method Breastfeeding Program "My milk
offers evidence-based education, gentle guidance, supply is
and 24/7 support so women can breastfeed for as plentiful and
long as they choose. there’s NO
PAIN
whatsoever.
I just wished I
found you
before I had
my first."

- Kirstie

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 13

 Throughout the program, we promise to:

ü Prepare you to self-advocate. You’ll understand what to expect during labour,

giving birth, and the hours immediately following birth, so you feel confident
speaking up for your and your baby’s needs.

ü Protect you from misinformation. Dr Robyn's method is grounded in seven

years of doctoral research and supported by thousands of successful
outcomes. Our online community is staffed by midwives and breastfeeding
experts so you can trust the guidance you receive is based on evidence and
experience, not opinion.

ü Provide you with non-judgemental support. Through our online

Breastfeeding Club, available exclusively to Thompson Method members, you
have 24/7 access to our breastfeeding experts. Plus, thousands of women are
there to cheer on one another!

For less than the cost of one breastfeeding consultation, you’ll

have all the education and ongoing support you need—right at
your fingertips, right when you need it.

GET IMMEDIATE, LIFETIME ACCESS TO THE PROGRAM NOW

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 14

Meet
Dr Robyn Thompson,
(FOUNDER OF THE THOMPSON METHOD)

With 50+ years of midwifery experience, Dr Robyn Thompson has had the
privilege of being with thousands of women and babies during labour,
birth, and breastfeeding.

Dr Robyn was awarded a PhD for her research into nipple trauma during
early breastfeeding. She and her team have made it their mission to share
her knowledge and experience with women during pregnancy—so they
can avoid common breastfeeding complications and continue
breastfeeding for as long as they choose.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ONLINE PROGRAM

*Medical Disclaimer
Certain information in this guide may deal with health, midwifery and medical related issues. Please note that the information
contained in this guide is not intended to be medical advice, nor does anything contained in this guide create any health,
midwifery or medical practitioner-woman relationship, or supplant any in-person health, midwifery or medical consultation or
examination. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding any
medical condition and before seeking any treatment. Professional advice should always be sought for specific conditions and
specific circumstances. Never disregard professional health or medical advice or delay in seeking medical treatment due to
information obtained from this guide. Any information from this guide is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease or illness. This guide is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace health, midwifery or medical care,
nor is it intended to be (or should be taken for) medical diagnosis or treatment.

THETHOMPSONMETHOD.COM | © THE THOMPSON METHOD 15