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. Breastfeeding is also much less expensive than formula feeding.

Babies born early may need some extra time or support as they learn to breastfeed. Use these care instructions and work closely with your health care provider as you and your baby learn to breastfeed.

• Follow the schedule for feeding your baby and pumping that your health care provider recommends. This schedule will include:
  • how often to feed your baby
  • how often to pump and how to store your pumped breast milk
  • whether to wake your baby to feed
  • if you need to limit breastfeeding times so your baby doesn't get too tired
  • if you should give your baby a bottle or tube feeding (a feeding that goes through a small tube from the nose down into the stomach) after you breastfeed
• Follow your health care provider's recommendations for:
  • whether you need to add anything (such as extra calories or other supplements) to your pumped breast milk
  • giving vitamins to your baby
• Check with your health care provider before giving your baby a pacifier or bottle. 
• As your baby grows, your health care provider may recommend that instead of a set schedule, you feed when your baby shows signs of hunger. Crying is a late sign of hunger. So try to feed when you see early signs of hunger. Your baby might:
  • move their head from side to side
  • stick out their tongue
  • suck on their hands and fists
  • move the lips as if to suck
  • nuzzle against your breasts
  • be "rooting" (moving their mouth toward something that touches your baby's cheek)
• To breastfeed:
  • Sit in a comfortable chair and position your baby. Support your baby's head. You may want to cradle the baby with the baby's belly toward your own belly. Or you can use a different position that is more comfortable for you. 
  • 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) as possible into your baby's mouth. 
  • 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 4 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.

Take Care of Yourself

• Drink a glass of water with every feeding and more throughout the day.
• Keep taking 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 have at least 6 wet diapers a day
• won't feed on the schedule your health care provider recommended
• 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. Talk to your health care provider if you are having trouble with breastfeeding. A lactation consultant or mother's support group can also offer help.

You can find help online at:

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

If you feel down or sad, or have trouble taking care of your baby, talk to your health care provider about getting help.