Breastfeeding is a special gift you can give your baby. It will give your baby the best possible start in life. Breast milk is easy to digest and provides nutrients in the amounts your baby needs to grow. Breast milk changes as your baby grows, protecting him or her from illness, infection and food allergies. Breastfeeding brings you and your baby closer, as it is a special relationship between a mother and a baby. Breastfeeding is convenient, the milk is always ready for your baby at the right temperature, and it is cost effective. Almost all women can breastfeed. However, breastfeeding takes time and patience in the beginning, both you and your baby need to learn how to breastfeed. Support from your partner, your family and other women who have breastfed can help, and after the first month or two, many women find breastfeeding easy, convenient, and enjoyable.

Getting Started

You will have many false starts, adjustments and restarts. You will also have many rewards. During the first few weeks of breastfeeding, avoid confusing your baby with other nipples such as pacifiers and bottle nipples. It does not matter whether your breasts are large or small. You will produce plenty of milk by nursing your baby frequently and by pumping your breasts. Frequent stimulation and removal of milk tells your body to make more breastmilk. Try not to worry. You will make the right kind of milk, in the right amount, and at the right time for your baby.

The first milk you produce is colostrum. Colostrum may look yellow and creamy at first, then it changes over the next week to a thin white liquid. Some women have a bluish white or light green color to their milk. Colostrum is rich in nutrients and antibodies that protect your baby. This milk also helps the bowels to work.
Breast milk is all your baby needs for the first 4 to 6 months of life. Avoid water or sugar water in the first several weeks after birth, as there are no nutrients to help your baby grow from these.

Breastfeeding Positions

There are many different positions in which to breastfeed, and you must find those which suit you and your baby. However, in the first two weeks you will need to guide your baby to ensure a good position and latch so he or she feeds properly.
Start off by sitting comfortably in an upright position, with as many pillows on hand as you will need. Put the baby on the pillow or your lap, depending on how low your breasts are, and turn your baby in to face you lying on his or her side -- tummy to tummy. It is almost impossible to breastfeed with your baby's head turned. When you latch the baby to your breast, bring him or her to you, not the other way around. When supporting the breast, make sure your hands are away from the nipple and not obstructing the baby's latch.

The Football Hold The football hold works well also for many women, particularly those women with large breasts, women with flat inverted nipples, or after a cesarean section birth. This position is also the most favored with women who are nursing twins. Hold your baby at your side, resting on your arm. Use a pillow to support your arm and to raise the baby to the level of your breast. Hold your baby's head in the palm of your hand with the baby's legs tucked in behind your arm by your side.

Lying Down Lying down is a good position to learn in order to get some sleep while you breastfeed. This is also a good position to use after a cesarean section or with an older baby. Lie down on your side, supporting your back and head with pillows. Turn your baby on to his or her side to face you, with your baby's mouth at your nipple. Bring your baby to your breast, with the baby's tummy and knees touching your abdomen. Place a rolled up towel or small rolled blankets behind your baby to prevent the baby from rolling onto his or her back.

The Latch

Once your baby is in a comfortable position, he or she is ready to latch on. Brush your baby's lips gently with your nipple and aim for the roof of the mouth. Wait until his mouth is wide open, almost like a yawn. Bring your baby onto the breast so he or she takes a good deep mouthful, ensuring that your delicate nipple is at the back of the baby's mouth and not being damaged. This may take several attempts to get right at first. When the baby is correctly latched, the lips are flanged back and the chin is tucked closely onto the breast. The nose should be touching the breast but not pinched into it, if it is, tuck the baby's bottom in closer.

If the latch is correct there will be no sucking or dimpling of the baby's cheeks. The baby will begin with fast, short sucks which stimulate the nipple. When the milk "lets down" the rhythm will change to slower, deeper sucks and swallowing will often be heard. The jaw movement goes all the way to the baby's ears. Once of the most important signs that the latch is correct is that it is comfortable and does not hurt. To take your baby off the breast, or release the latch, insert your finger into the corner of your baby's mouth between the gums and break the suction. Do not attempt to pull the baby from your breast, as it is painful and can damage your nipples.

It is normal for your nipples to be tender during the first few weeks, even if you have breastfed before. After the first week your nipples should feel better, if not, often a small change in position improves the latch and makes a big change in comfort level for the mother.

How Often

Let your baby decide how often and how much to nurse. Every baby is different. Do not expect to follow a strict time table. Feed your baby whenever he or she is hungry. Learn to know your own baby's hunger cues. Signs of hunger may include sucking, smacking lips, searching with an open mouth, putting a fist into the mouth, or crying. Some feedings may be close together while others may be farther apart. A newborn will feed anywhere from 8 to 14 times in 24 hours. Frequent nursing will help establish your milk supply.

Your baby will have periods of rapid growth around two weeks, six weeks, 3 months of age and later. During these "growth spurts" your baby may want to feed more often, sometimes every hour! This does not mean your milk volume has decreased or that your milk is of poor quality. The more your baby nurses, the more you will produce. Your breast milk will increase to meet your baby's needs.

How Long

Let your baby decide how long to nurse. Some baby's finish a feeding quickly; others want to suck longer. When your baby has had enough milk, he or she will let go of your breast, stop sucking, or fall asleep. Babies seem to know how much is enough.

Let your baby finish nursing on one breast before changing to the other. The "hind" milk at the end of a feeding has more fat. This will help your baby feel fuller for longer. Your baby might nurse from both breasts at each feeding or only one. Alternate which breast is offered first. A safety pin on your bra strap will remind you which breast to start with for the next feeding.

Burping

Your baby may need to burp once or twice during and after a feeding, or not at all. If you need to burp your baby, hold your baby against your shoulder or face down in your lap. Pat or rub your baby's back gently. Any spit up is normal.

Breastfeeding Concerns

Sore or Cracked Nipples

These suggestions should help you heal your sore or cracked nipples.
Make sure your baby latches onto the breast properly. Most sore cracked nipples can be prevented by correct positioning or latch. Consult a lactation consultant if you need help.
Begin nursing with the breast that is less sore.
Apply a light coating of expressed breast milk on your nipples after a feeding and air dry. This helps to heal cracked nipples.
Avoid nursing pads made with plastic.
Between feedings, use ice or a cold wet towel on the sore area of the nipple to ease the pain.

Engorgement

Engorgement means very full, heavy, sore breasts. Engorgement usually happens two to five days after the baby's birth. It usually happens when milk is not taken out of the breasts often enough or in large enough quantities. Engorgement can be prevented by following these steps:

Before feeding from an engorged breast, you need to first soften the breast and nipple in order to have your baby properly latch on.
To soften the breast apply warm moist heat (use towels, clean diapers or take a shower) to your breast for two to five minutes. Massage the breast in a circular motion Start under your arm and work towards your nipple.
Hand express or pump enough breastmilk from your breast so the baby can latch onto the nipple.
Between feedings apply cold towels to your breast for comfort. Try lining your bra with cold green cabbage leaves.
If you need to, take medication such as acetaminophen for pain 20 minutes before feeding.
Seek the assistance of a lactation consultant.

Mastitis

Mastitis is a red, lumpy, painful area on your breast. It may appear with a fever, chills or other flu-like symptoms. symptoms are sudden. Mastitis might be caused by a clogged milk duct. If it is left untreated, an abscess can develop. If you have these symptoms:

The best treatment is to keep nursing your baby as often as possible. Start with the sore breast first. The breastmilk is still perfectly safe for your baby.
Take a warm shower or use warm wet towels before breastfeeding to help the milk flow. Gently massage the sore area with your finger tips while the breast is still warm.
Rest is important. You need a day of bed rest. Drink plenty of fluids.
Seek the assistance of a lactation consultant and/or your doctor as sometimes an antibiotic is needed.

When You Cannot Breastfeed

Sometimes things make it difficult or impossible to continue breastfeeding. If this happens to you, do not worry and do not feel guilty. Formula feeding can be a good substitute for breastfeeding. What is most important is the emotional health of your baby -- love, cuddling and caressing.

Still need more information? Check out the La Leche League as an excellent breastfeeding resource!

Inside This Channel

Baby Care Basics
Breastfeeding
Bottle Feeding
Mommy Concerns
Milestones