Breast milk gives babies the nutrition they need and offers health benefits for both mother and child. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to get infections, allergies, and some illnesses. Many of these benefits last well into childhood.

Breastfeeding is natural, but it can take practice for you and your baby to feel comfortable. Here are some tips that can help.

• Breastfeed whenever your baby is hungry. Crying is a late sign of hunger. So try to feed when you see one of these early signs of hunger:
  • moving the head from side to side
  • sticking out the tongue
  • sucking on the hands and fists
  • moving the lips as if to suck
  • nuzzling against your breasts
  • "rooting" (moving the mouth toward something that's touching your baby's cheek)
• For the first few weeks, your baby should breastfeed every 1 to 3 hours. Your baby should not go more than about 4 hours without breastfeeding (even at night). 
• To breastfeed:
  • Sit in a comfortable chair and position your baby. Most women cradle the baby with the baby's belly toward their own belly. 
  • Hold your breast and press it together. When your baby's mouth is wide open, bring your baby to your breast. Be sure to put as much of the nipple and areola (dark skin surrounding the nipple) into your baby's mouth.
  • Look and listen for swallowing.
  • Let your baby empty the first breast. Then, offer the other breast. 
  • Switch which breast you offer first at each feeding.
• Babies are getting enough breast milk if they:
  • have 6 or more wet diapers a day
  • have four or more yellow, seedy poops per day, usually one after each feeding. After about a month, babies poop less often and many may go a few days without pooping.
• If you want to give a pacifier or bottle, wait until your baby is breastfeeding well, which usually takes 3 to 4 weeks.
• Breastfed babies should take vitamin D drops (400 international units) every day. Vitamin D helps build bones, and breast milk has very little vitamin D.

Take Care of Yourself

• Drink a glass of water with every feeding and more throughout the day.
• Take your prenatal vitamins as your health care provider recommends.
• Don't take any medicines or herbal products without talking to your health care provider first.
• Don't drink alcohol or use drugs. They can get into your milk and cause health problems in your baby.

Your baby:

• doesn't seem to be getting enough milk
• has trouble passing poops or has hard poops
• has yellow skin

You:

• have cracked, sore, or painful nipples
• have a hard, swollen, red, or tender breast
• develop a fever or become ill. You can continue to breastfeed through most illnesses, but talk to your health care provider first.

I am finding breastfeeding hard. Where can I get help? Breastfeeding takes time and practice. If you feel down or sad, or if you have trouble taking care of your baby, talk to your health care provider about getting help. A lactation consultant or mother's support group also can offer help and support with breastfeeding.

You can get help online at:

• United States Lactation Consultant Association: uslca.org
• International Lactation Consultant Association: ilca.org