Mother breastfeeding her newborn baby
Parent & Child
12.09.2025 Ifenna Ekezie 2967

Breastfeeding start tips from NotdienstHebamme

For new parents, breastfeeding is a wonderful but often challenging phase that brings with it many questions and sometimes uncertainties. 

Midwife Katharina provides mothers and fathers with advice and support during this special time. With her online service "NotdienstHebamme", she shares her knowledge about pregnancy, birth, postpartum and recovery - both in online courses and in consultation hours. 

In this interview, Katharina reveals her most important tips for breastfeeding: What does she think is part of a successful breastfeeding start? What can mothers do if breastfeeding doesn't work right away? And how can partners provide emotional and practical support during this time? 

What you can expect in this article

Dear Katharina, what tips do you have for a successful start to breastfeeding immediately after the birth?

Midwife Katharina von Notdiensthebamme: A successful start to breastfeeding ideally begins in the so-called "golden hour". Skin-to-skin contact is key here: it stabilizes the body temperature, calms mother and child and stimulates the release of oxytocin - this binds, supports the involution of the uterus and facilitates the milk let-down reflex. 

Another valuable aspect is the "breast crawl " - the intuitive crawling to the breast. If the baby is allowed to follow this natural path, it strengthens its reflexes and makes latching on much easier. For many women, this intuitive start to breastfeeding is an encouraging experience that helps them to establish a loving breastfeeding rhythm right from the start. 

How do you provide support when breastfeeding is difficult? 

Ideally, there should be no breastfeeding problems. This means that I spend a lot of time preparing well for the birth, the time with the baby and breastfeeding. But of course this doesn't help to avoid every breastfeeding problem. Breastfeeding problems such as sore nipples, engorgement or uncertainty when latching on are common - and not uncommon. Midwives are an important source of support in such cases.  

I start by checking the breastfeeding position. A small adjustment can relieve pain and improve milk intake. Finding the right breastfeeding position often takes a little patience, but then the pain quickly subsides. 

In addition, frequent, correct latching onis crucial for sufficient milk production - especially in the first few days when the supply-rhythm principle is not yet stable. Gentle breast massages before breastfeeding can also stimulate the milk let-down reflex. It is worth practicing this during pregnancy. 

And if breastfeeding is not possible - what alternatives are there and how do you support mothers?

There are various reasons why women do not want to or cannot breastfeed. The medical reasons are really rare. Breast-milk substitute formula (infant formula) is then a safe, tested alternative: the decisive factor is correct preparation - clean water, precise dosage, hygienic handling. It is important to ensure that the food contains pro- and prebiotics to support the baby's intestinal flora. 

Bottle-fed babies do not have to do without closeness. That's why I encourage mothers who don't want to or can't breastfeed to give their baby the same closeness when bottle-feeding as would be normal when breastfeeding. 

Sometimes expressed breast milk is also a transitional or supplementary option. My approach is clear: decisions are made without judgment. Whether direct breastfeeding, pumping or bottle-feeding - the bond is created through closeness, warmth and care, not just through the type of feeding. 

Katharina's midwife mantra for breastfeeding: 

"Breastfeeding is an interplay of body, bonding and inner balance. When these components are in harmony, the experience becomes something wonderful - and if not, there are also loving ways beyond the breast." 

How can the environment, such as the partner, be supportive during breastfeeding?

Partners play an essential role - even if they are not breastfeeding: 

  • They can provide enormous relief with practical help such as food, drinks, housework or changing diapers.
  • Emotionally, an encouraging word or loving gestures are often worth a lot during the strenuous breastfeeding times. 
  • It is particularly helpful if your partner actively supports you: Passing water while breastfeeding, gently taking the baby after a meal or regulating visiting times. 

This support creates space for calm, self-confidence and a relaxed breastfeeding rhythm. Your partner can also be helpful when breastfeeding. It is therefore a good idea for them to familiarize themselves with the handling of breastfeeding before the birth. 


 

How important are the mother's nutrition and well-being for breastfeeding? Are there any taboos? 

Breast milk is a source of nutrition and protection in one - perfectly tailored to the child's needs and immunoprotective. It contains antibodies and supports the physical and emotional adaptation of both. 

There is no strict diet for breastfeeding mothers 

Rather, a balanced, varied diet (with proteins, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids), combined with regular fluid intake, is key. Water or tea after thirst is sufficient - special lactation teas are not necessary. They have no proven medical effect. However, the EMA explicitly advises against drinking fennel tea, as animal experiments have shown that the estragole it contains can be carcinogenic. 

Alcohol and nicotine consumption, on the other hand, are taboo - medication only after consultation

Alcohol passes into the breast milk and has an effect on the baby. The parents' reaction speed should also be as good as possible. Alcohol inhibits the ability to react and is therefore taboo for this reason alone.

Nicotine should also be avoided. It is harmful to the baby in the air, on the clothes of the caregivers and also in breast milk. Some medicines also pass into breast milk. Medication should therefore never be taken without consulting a midwife or doctor. 

Otherwise, if you are relaxed and balanced, you will breastfeed more easily and for longer

Thank you so much for the interview, Katharina! 

 

Midwife service before and after the birth 

In cooperation with NotdienstHebamme, pme Familienservice offers professional support and supplementation to outpatient midwife care: 

1. tested online courses: With the tested tips and practical instructions , new parents and pregnant women receive comprehensive support in the online courses from NotdienstHebamme that can be accessed at any time - ideal for preparing for the new addition to the family.  

Online courses are available on the following topics: Birth preparation, baby care, regression, baby massage, breastfeeding.

Online course on breastfeeding from NotdienstHebamme

The online breastfeeding course from NotdienstHebamme contains comprehensive preparation for breastfeeding, an introduction to different breastfeeding positions and help with pain and breastfeeding problems. Incl. "Breastfeeding e-book" with over 50 pages and all topics again in written form.

 

2nd midwife consultation hour: With midwife advice from NotdienstHebamme via video chat, telephone or e-mail, parents receive quick answers and support, even with psychosocial stress such as mood swings and baby blues. 

Further information on the cooperation with NotdienstHebamme can be found in the service portal My Familienservice. Not yet a customer of pme Familienservice? Please contact us! 

 

FAQs on starting and maintaining breastfeeding

1. what is meant by the "golden hour" when starting breastfeeding? 

The "golden hour" refers to the first hour after birth, when skin-to-skin contact is established between mother and baby. This promotes the start of breastfeeding by strengthening the bond and supporting the milk let-down reflex.

2. how can I avoid breastfeeding problems such as sore nipples? 

A correct breastfeeding position and regular, correct positioning of the baby are crucial. Midwives can help to find the optimal position and thus alleviate pain. 

3 What to do if breastfeeding is not possible? 

Breast-milk substitute formula is a safe alternative. Hygienic preparation is important. Closeness and care during feeding are just as important as the type of nutrition.

4 How can partners support breastfeeding? 

Practical help in the household, emotional support and active participation, such as taking care of the baby after mealtimes, provide relief for the breastfeeding mother. 

5 What are the nutritional tips for breastfeeding mothers? 

A balanced and varied diet and sufficient fluids are important. Alcohol and nicotine are taboo. Medication should only be taken in consultation with a midwife or doctor. 

zero Burnout among employees: What managers need to know

Man on a tightrope in the mountain
13.10.2021 Sabrina Ludwig 33616

Burnout among employees: What managers need to know!

When a team colleague returns to work after a burnout, colleagues and managers almost always ask themselves with some concern: How should we deal with him or her? Will he or she be back at work? Carola Kleinschmidt is a trainer and expert on burnout and knows how managers can manage this balancing act.

Psychologist and Managing Director of Oberbergkliniken. For many years, she established concepts for mental health in the workplace in companies. Kentgens gives many educational talks and workshops in companies of all sizes, and wherever she goes, she always encounters the same uncertainty: "How do I as a colleague or boss deal with the person coming back from illness?

This is a question that concerns a lot of people," explains Kentgens. "The questioners in another department have often seen someone come back to the office but only stay at work for a few hours and then go home again. And they asked themselves: Is he allowed to do that because he was ill? Will that always be the case now?".

Reintegration after burnout: in stages from four to eight weeks

"There is usually a misunderstanding here," explains psychologist Kentgens. Bosses and colleagues often don't know that those returning to work are doing a phased reintegration . During this time, they are still officially on sick leave and the health insurance companies pay the wage costs.

As a rule, a gradual reintegration takes four to eight weeks. This period gives returnees the opportunity to gradually acclimatize to everyday working life and their activities again - without too much pressure. "During this time, special arrangements apply that are underpinned by medical or therapeutic advice. There is an agreed step-by-step plan, which is ideally agreed between the returnee, the person receiving treatment, the manager, the HR department, the works council and the company doctor," explains Kentgens. This means that it is quite possible that only a few hours of work per day have been agreed initially or that other special regulations apply to the employee during this time. Ideally, the employee's resilience will increase continuously.

How to deal with a colleague?

Of course, colleagues who don't know this quickly see someone from the outside who is only able to cope with little stress. And it is not uncommon for this initial image of the returnee to become established. A vicious circle can begin: You don't trust the employee to do much - and thus deprive them of the chance to fully reintegrate into day-to-day business.

"We therefore advise managers to communicate the employee's current status within the company to the team. Temporary special arrangements that have been negotiated with the person concerned, such as no business trips or reduced customer contact, should also be communicated so that the team is aware."

Such agreements can still apply between managers and employees even after gradual reintegration. Even then, it is best to communicate this to everyone. This transparency makes it much easier to reintegrate the returnee into the team and prevents rumors, false consideration and gossip.

After the burnout: no false consideration

Once reintegration is complete, which is usually the case after four to eight weeks, the employee is healthy again and can be fully deployed in the company.

"After reintegration and when any special arrangements have expired, the employee is considered fully resilient again," explains Kentgens. From the psychologist's point of view, this is the right thing to do, as there is a risk, especially after a mental health crisis, that the person will remain in a certain protective posture - or be pushed into the corner of "he's no longer resilient" by those around him out of false consideration."

Such developments are counterproductive for health and, above all, for recovery," explains Kentgens. The aim of reintegration is therefore for the employee to be able to return to their old job with the usual stresses and strains. Ideally, after successful treatment, the employee's attitude, resilience and resistance to stress will have improved - including the ability to say "no" from time to time.

"The biggest concern of those affected is that they will be looked at the wrong way when they return to the company."

If the employee notices before returning to work or during the reintegration process that they no longer want to carry out certain activities that were previously part of their duties, then it is not up to the manager or team to automatically take them off their hands. Rather, it is up to the employee to change their tasks and workload, explains Kentgens. This means that they can negotiate their tasks with their manager and also at HR department level in order to make the work suitable for them.

Talks as part of the reintegration process can also be the place for such adjustments. For example, some burnout sufferers want to reduce their working hours or look after fewer customers than before, and in some cases also want to move to other positions with less responsibility. "This clear appeal to the personal responsibility and clarity of those formerly affected may sound rigid," says Kentgens. But she knows from the everyday experience of therapists who work with burnout sufferers: "The biggest concern of those affected is that they will be looked at the wrong way for months after returning to the company, that they are no longer trusted to do anything and that this is precisely why they will not be able to perform again". Clarity in the reintegration process counteracts this discrimination and is therefore beneficial - for everyone involved.

 

About Carola Kleinschmidt:

Carola Kleinschmidt is a graduate biologist, journalist and certified trainer (additional training in communication psychology, Schulz-von-Thun Institute/University of Hamburg).

She has been working on the topic of "health and the world of work" for 15 years. Stern magazine described her non-fiction book "Bevor der Job krank macht" (Before the job makes you ill) as "one of the best books on the subject of burnout". It has sold over 25,000 copies. Follow-up books: "Das hält keiner bis zur Rente durch" (2014), "Burnout - und dann?" (2016). Carola Kleinschmidt gives lectures and workshops in organizations and companies on the topic of "Good Work & Mental Health". www.carolakleinschmidt.de

 

 

 

Literature tip: "Burnout - and then?" (2016)

Every year, millions of people get back to life after a burnout. They all ask themselves: How will my life go on? Should I expect relapses? What and how much do I need to change in my life?

Carola Kleinschmidt has accompanied many sufferers over the years. She describes what life is like after the crisis, what difficulties arise in the new everyday life and what characterizes the people who leave the spiral of exhaustion behind them for good. Short interviews with experts place the individual experiences in a broader picture and explain which strategies are most suitable. The result is a comprehensive picture of how to find your way back to a positive attitude to life after a burnout and ensure that it stays that way.

 

Portrait of midwife Katharina

Midwife Katharina from NotdienstHebamme

Midwife and founder of "NotdienstHebamme", certified sleep coach, first aid trainer

As a state-approved midwife with extensive experience since 1999, Katharina offers professional support during pregnancy, in the postpartum period and in the infant and toddler period.  

Their aim is to accompany expectant mothers and fathers safely and well-informed through this special time.