Breastfeeding

Baby and breast are the perfect feeding team!

For the best nutrition, breastmilk is the best food to feed a baby. It is made specifically to meet the nutritional needs of babies. Human breastmilk changes as the baby grows to offer the best nutrients for the baby. It has over 1000 components - many of these have not been duplicated in infant formula.

Over the past 25 years, research has continued to show that breastmilk is better than infant formula. In fact, more studies are released each year showing that there are health risks to the baby and the mother when they do not breastfeed.

Infant formula should be seen as a `safety net` for babies who cannot breastfeed and not as an equal replacement.

Many common illnesses, such as colds, flu, skin infections or diarrhea, cannot be passed through breast milk. In fact, if a mother has an illness, her breast milk will contain antibodies to it that will help protect her baby from those same illnesses.

Baby and Breast- A Perfect Feeding Team

Knowing what to expect and how to deal with setbacks in breastfeeding can help ease the adjustment that you and your newborn will go through as you take on breastfeeding. Nursing comes naturally but it does take a while for the mom and baby to get in sync with one another.

How to breastfeed:

Get into a comfortable position. Whatever position is comfortable for you and for the baby is a good position to use.

Position your baby facing your nipple.

Support your breast with your free hand. Keep your fingers off your areola, which the baby needs to grasp.

Gently tickle the baby's lips with your nipple until the mouth is opened wide. Then, move your breast closer.

Don't stuff the nipple into an unwilling mouth. Let the baby take the initiative.

Make sure the baby latches on to the nipple and areola. Sucking on just the nipple will not compress the milk glands. It will also cause soreness and cracking.

If your breast is blocking your baby's nose, lightly depress the breast with your finger. Be careful not to loosen your baby's grasp of the areola.

If the baby has a strong steady rhythmic motion that is visible in the cheek, then most likely the baby is attached and sucking well.

When finished or repositioning the breast, don't yank your breast out of the baby's mouth. This will cause injury to the nipple.

Don't be tempted to skip or skimp on feedings because of pain. The less the baby eats, the worse the pain will be.

Brochure downloads:

Ten Steps to Support Parents` Choice to Breastfeed Their Baby (pdf)
101 reasons to Breastfeed Your Child (pdf)

Breastfeeding Basics

* Start as soon as possible after birth
* Be patient and calm
* Don't try to feed a screaming baby
* Ask for help when you need it

Breastfeeding is a learned skill that becomes easier over time. You are more likely to succeed with long-term breastfeeding by having a plan, becoming familiar with basic techniques, learning how to handle minor physical problems and getting help quickly when you need it.

How the Baby is Preparing for Breastfeeding

Before they are born, babies begin learning important skills that will help them breastfeed. Teaching mothers about these skills can increase their confidence in the baby`s ability to nurse at birth.

By the time a mother is 11 weeks (almost 3 months) pregnant, her baby has learned to swallow. Babies swallow amniotic fluid in the uterus.
By the time a mother is 24 weeks (6 months) pregnant, her baby has learned to suck. Babies spend a lot of time with their hands close to their mouth before birth. Babies are often seen sucking on their thumb, fingers or hands during an ultrasound exam.
By the time a mother is 32 weeks (8 months) pregnant, her baby has learned to root for the breast. The baby will turn its head if touched on the cheek and open its mouth if the bottom lip is tickled. By this time the baby can also suck and swallow in a coordinated way.
By the time a mother is 37 weeks (9 months) pregnant, her baby has learned to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing so it can do all three when breastfeeding after birth. Babies practice shallow breathing before birth using amniotic fluid.

Breastfeeding Tips

Breastfeed your baby on demand rather than setting a strict schedule, especially in the first few months.
Taking care of yourself will also help you to establish your milk supply. Eat right and get rest when you are able.
Avoid bottle-feeding your baby breast milk until breastfeeding and milk supply are well-established, which is usually about 4 to 6 weeks. This helps build your milk supply. Not using bottles also helps prevent your baby from developing nipple confusion, which is a preference for an artificial nipple over the breast.
Look for signs that your baby is getting enough milk, such as eagerness to eat and feeding sessions that last at least 15 to 25 minutes. By 6 days of age, your baby should need about 6 to 8 diaper changes, settle well after feeding and usually awaken on his or her own to feed every 1 to 3 hours. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Help clear blocked milk ducts by using warm compresses and massaging your breasts before and during feedings. Also, breastfeed more frequently and in different positions. Offer your baby the affected breast first at each feeding.
You can help relieve the pain from sore or cracked nipples with drops of expressed breast milk or lanolin creams.

The color of your breastmilk

The first milk is called `colostrum.' Colostrum is a clear, yellowish fluid. It is rich in protein, nutrients and antibodies, which protect the baby from infection. By starting to nurse the baby right after birth, the baby will benefit from the colostrum and the `mature milk` will come in sooner. Colostrum changes to `mature milk` sometime in the first 1 to 7 days.

`Mature` breastmilk may look blue in color. The milk that comes out first during a feeding (foremilk) is thinner and watery. The milk toward the end of a feeding (hindmilk) looks thicker. It is richer and higher in fat. If a woman pumps her milk, the fat (or `cream`) will separate easily and rise to the top.

Comments: Breastfeeding

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SydneeMay2009 - 9 days ago.
Nikkiandfred-I think the biggest concern for starting solids early is to make sure they are still getting enough milk. It is so important for little ones to get the most breastmilk/formula that they can and the reason that it is recommended to start solids at 4-6 months is because LO's are typically able at that time to take in the same amount of milk, but have enough of an appetite to add some solids too. One of the guidelines for starting solids is that your LO has doubled their birth weight and is at least 13lbs.

felicia marie - 9 days ago.
Thanks ladies for all your advice and tips on weaning my LO. I still haven't decided on when I'm going to start the weaning process. I think maybe in January :)

MiamiMom2b - 10 days ago.
nikkiandfred - I've done a ton of research on this. Its extremely controversial & heavily debated. I started giving my LO single grain rice cereal 3 days ago (he is 3months & 2 weeks). I feed it to him by spoon & mix it with breastmilk. I make it very thin. It is adorable to watch him eat! He opens his mouth when he sees the spoon coming! He probably only actually swallows one whole 1/2 teaspoon in total lol but we are both enjoying something new to do together! His tummy seems fine. My mother was given rice cereal at 2 days old - she has no food alergies. My good friend started her 5 week old on cereal 6 weeks ago & he loves it & is perfectly healthy. So, I guess it is up to you & your opinion on if your LO is ready. Honestly, as long as your not putting it in his bottle (choking hazzard) what harm can it do? If he is not ready for solids he will push it all out with his tounge anyways. OH and btw - get your video camera ready first. It is messy & cute!

nikkiandfred - 10 days ago.
Hello everyone. I just wanted everyones thoughts on trying to start my 3 month old on solids. Typically rice cereal. Is it too early? Could this cause any harm to my baby?

lilli1317 - 11 days ago.
feliciamarie - At 12 months I decided to start the weaning process. Since I work full-time we were already down to one nursing session and bottles. First we replaced the bottles with sippy cups and I kept nursing so we didnt do too much change at once. Then I cut out pumping one at a time and eventually stopped altogether so my supply dwindled. When he nursed it was more for comfort than hunger at his age so he didnt care that my supply was dropping. Rather than work hard to get at it he was just done. When I didnt offer it anymore he didnt really care, we would just cuddle and sing instead which further proved he was only in it for the comfort. I was done by 13 months. We never had a tear or a whine or anything we were both just ready. I think he probably would have went on nursing as long as I offered it to him but when I stopped he didnt miss it at all. We were definitely both ready and it wasnt a traumatizing experience at all. Every baby is different and will require their own adjustment time. Good luck!!

esyogurl - 11 days ago.
Miami - TRUST your body hon! We are beautiful creatures!! :) I think you may be having your phantom period, I am naturally an over-producer but when I had my ''period' (I literally had like one drop of blood, sorry if TMI) I dropped low, to the point where I wasn't pumping but 6 oz a day. My LO nursed at night for 1.5 hours!!! Then after my 'period' was done, I was WAAAAAY over producing because of all the stimulation. You may want to consider pumping a little bit first to get a let down, then baby won't be so frustrated

mrsmoorehead - 11 days ago.
miamimom2b-Try waiting it out....could it be a growth spurt? When my LO goes thru one he wants to nurse and nurse and pulls on my nipples and gets very angry....but the more he nurses the more milk we make.....our bodies adjust to their needs. Wait it out....try oatmeal, extra water, or even fenugreek....Also, calling your OBGYN might not be a bad idea...sometimes they can offer new ideas, or even regalin if she feels its necessary. Dont give up momma...you are doing so well for your baby! Also, remember if baby is urinating at least 6-8 times in a 24 hour period and it is not strong smelling, he is likely getting enough to eat, also weight gain. Also, you could make an appointment with a lactation consultant. Good luck! I hope this helps! BTW, I am a mommy to 3...9, 7, and 3 months. BF all of them....to 1 year!

MiamiMom2b - 11 days ago.
I am having a tough time with BF'ing the past few days. Maybe thinking about formula even... Suddenly my supply is really low & my LO is not happy about it. The mornings are fine since I have a lot of milk but as the day wears on my LO becomes frustrated on the boob. Since very little milk is letting down he starts kicking, flailing, crying & pulling off my boob really violently! Both my nipples are sore & purple. I feel so bad because I think he is hungry, he isn't sleping well either - which makes me further believe he isn't getting enough. He also refuses to take a bottle so when I pump I basically throw it away because we try to have him drink it but he refuses & then we dump it out. I am frustrated & feel like giving up. My family is super supportive & won't let me give up but ughhhhh this is a tough week! By the way I work at my fathers office so I take the baby to work with me a few hours a but this angry nursing & mad - hungry baby is just not working out.

gladek - 11 days ago.
As for solids, we waited until my LO was six months. Just remember, the best nutrition at that young age is breastmilk, so any solids they fill up on are going to take away from their breastmilk intake. Many people start babies very young on solids and have great luck, but for us, it was definately best to wait. I had supply issues around 5-7 months, and I needed him nursing as much as he could to keep my supply from dropping. Of course, now, at almost one year old, my son is a foodie, and will eat pretty much anything you put if front of him!

gladek - 11 days ago.
FeliciaMarie-Congrats! My son will also be turning one this month, and he has also never had formula! As for weaning, I am letting him self wean. I work full time and he gets breastmilk in a cup or water while I am at work, and nurses still in the morning, when I get home, at bedtime, and once or so during the night usually. Its so hard to believe he is turning one. I can't believe how much has happened in this past year!!

Bri - 11 days ago.
felicia marie - Congrats and Happy Birthday little girl! It's so much fun. As for weaning. I let Kekoa self wean which worked really well. But by his first birthday he was having a sippy cup with each meal. Within a few months I started just giving him a cup when we were out and about. He didn't care to nurse when we were out anyways because of the excitement. Introducing cow's milk can be easy or a challenge. Try starting out with just a tab bit, an ounce or two. You want to be sure your baby can hande it. My son couldn't for a long time. He was more toward 18months when he could handle more then a couple ounces a day. So, we worked our way up. But we started giving him juice with breakfast around that time in his cup. He got milk at lunch and dinner. And then as my supply went down he was only nursing at nap and before bed. Sometimes for comfort others. Usually those were when we were inside all day. I just let him lead me. He began filling up with his cup and not wanting to nurse. He was down to just before bed around 19months or so and then completely weaned himself at 21months. I plan on letting this new little guy wean himself too. There were no tears and he was completely ready. I believe it was the healthiest way to go for both of us. I never felt engorged and didn't fall into depression like some. He was happy because he got to choose rather then just getting something taken away from him. Good Luck!

felicia marie - 11 days ago.
Hello Ladies! My DD will be one on Monday and I'm proud to say that she is still EBF! She has not had a drop of formula or cows milk in her life. Anywho, I plan to start weaning her in the next few months. Problem is I don't know where to begin! I thought about skipping a feeding but does that mean I give her cow's milk? Also, she won't let me skip feedings. She will tug at my shirt and scream till I give her the boob. Is there any books on this? Where do I begin?

EllasMommy23 - 12 days ago.
nikkiandfred- my daughter is 3 months old, too. and she eats about every 2 1/2 hours during the day. And the longest she sleeps during the day at a time is an hour. Maybe just call your doctor and mention it? They probably won't worry about it unless she starts losing weight or something.

nikkiandfred - 12 days ago.
Also though she does seem to sleep ok during the night.

nikkiandfred - 12 days ago.
after the long stretch its about every 2 to 3 hours normally.

MiamiMom2b - 12 days ago.
nikkiandfred - my LO is 3 months. He sleeps his long stretch at night from 10pm to 7am. That's 9 hours straight. The rest of day he breastfeeds every two hours. It sounds to me like your LO might have his day/night confused & is sleeping his long stretch during those morning/afternoon hours. Does he feed regularly besides that long stretch??

nikkiandfred - 12 days ago.
Hey everyone. How is everyone doing? Ok this question is for everyone who has 3 month olds right now. Lately my 3 month old baby girl has been sleeping lots and eating very little. For example, i dropped my daughter off at my parents house this morning at around 7:30 in the morning and she hadn't eaten since probably like 5. Well she slept till about 12:30 in the afternoon when my mom finally had to wake her up and she tried to feed her. At that time she only ate about 2 ounces and didn't want anymore and fell back to sleep. She then woke up again at 3:30 and ate some more. She didn't have a bowel movement all day until about 4 when she finally went and it was very liquidy and greenish yellow. It wasn't like her norm. Also it smelled which isn't normally like her other bowel movements. Yesterday I went to work, she ate about 5 or so in the morning and didn't eat again till about 1:30 in the afternoon cause she was sleeping the whole time. Is this normal? Or should I be concerned. How are your babies eating at 3 months? sorry this is so long.

phatbaby57 - 12 days ago.
We just started introducing solids Halloween weekend. He is/was 4.5months old. We started with rice cereal for three days then it seemed to constipate him so I contacted the pediatrician and stopped giving it to him in the meantime. I started back yesterday and introduced pears. Next I'll do bananas and then sweet potatoes and carrots and then avocado and then we'll just have to see. I bought a book to help me as intend to prepare his baby food instead of buying the store stuff. By the way my pediatrician didn't think he was constipated and doesn't consider a baby constipated unless it's been more than 6 days or there is pain or a struggle associated with pooping. It will make his pattern, texture, and smell really different even after just one feeding.

lilli1317 - 12 days ago.
I introduced the bottle to my son at 4 days old. We were commuting back and forth to the hospital a lot in his first week and I wasnt brave enough to nurse in public so I was more comfortable pumping. My husband always gave the bottle so my son would only associate me with breast. We had trouble latching at first (which would make public feeding even harder) so that was another reason. Whenever I was home though I would always attempt to nurse before bottle. After about a week or two he perfected the latch and was fine. We never had a problem going between breast and bottle so no nipple confusion here. It definitely was easier to just nurse all the time at home rather than rely on pumping and bottle though so if you are up to it, definitely definitely keep working on it, practice makes perfect!! Eventually I was comfortable enough to coverup and do it in public but Im glad we had the option of a bottle for awhile.

lilli1317 - 12 days ago.
emily - my cycle was always lower at night. Do you pump? I pumped throughout the day when I was at work and in the middle of the night when he was sleeping through, to up my freezer supply. Then my husband always gave him a nighttime bottle of expressed to rotate our freezer supply (I would pump). That way he took more from the bottle than he would have nursing so he ended up sleeping through the night at around 7 weeks.

lilli1317 - 12 days ago.
Miami - They say wait until 6 months but I did the little rice cereal to a lot of breastmilk at 4 months. He took to that so well we started Gerber 1st foods slowly at 5 months. By 6 months he had all the single fruits and veggies. At 10 months he looooved real food so much we did away with jars and now at 14 months the child eats anything and everything in sight by the fistful. He eats based on color so he always grabs broccoli and carrots first because they are the brightest lol. He was breastfed a little over a year and the more solids that we introduced the less nursing he needed. Solids didnt replace any nursing sessions until about 5 1/2 months since they were always in addition. After that he started preferring 'real' food to milk and nursing sessions were cut out one at a time until about 8 or 9 months where we leveled off at one nursing session and a couple of bottles expressed throughout the day. My advice is not so much on age of introduction but on pace. Dont do too much too fast. Slow and steady is best when you are introducing a whole new way of eating!

MiamiMom2b - 12 days ago.
1byfaith- thanks so much for the info. I think I'm gonna give him a taste & see his reaction.

1Byfaith - 13 days ago.
Miami-I just started giving my lo a teaspoon of rice cereal mixed with my breast milk. I feed it to him with a spoon. I first gave it to him on yesterday and so far he seems fine. I decided to give it to him now @ 3 1/2 months because he always watches us when we eat and he also ate it right up when I fed it to him. They say if you offer a solid and the baby pushes it back out w/their tongue that could be a sign they are not ready. He started crying when the bowl was empty cause he wanted more~lol. Ultimately it is for each mom to decide. I did not notice him nursing less yesterday but I know that he only had a little. As they eat more solids nursing does normally decrease a bit. I would suggest if your supply is low at night and you need a bit more, try pumping during the night while lo is still asleep.

MiamiMom2b - 13 days ago.
I have a question! When did you ladies introduce your EBF LO's to solids? What kind of solids did you try giving them and how? Also, do they drink less milk when you give them solids?

MiamiMom2b - 13 days ago.
emily - my supply is really low at night too! My boobs feel flat & empty!! My LO is 3 months & is EBF and in the mornings I have so much milk he only drinks from one boob at a time. So what I did was pump about 4 oz from the other boob & try to give it to him by bottle before bedtime. Well it was a great idea in theory but my LO was tired & cranky & just wanted the comfort of nursing - he REFUSED that nice warm bottle of mommies milk. I also know that it the amount of ounces they drink throughout the whole day that matters, not at each feeding so I am confident he is getting PLENTY during the day - he is sleeping 10 hours straight at night.