Encouraging Breastfeeding

About this topic

Breast milk is a natural food source for babies. Breast milk gives nutrition to your baby that baby formula cannot always give. You can start breastfeeding right after your baby is born. ‚

General

There are some things you can do to help both you and your baby get used to breastfeeding. ‚

Hold your baby skin to skin. This may help encourage breastfeeding.
Start nursing early. Even if you have a cesarean section you can start to nurse your baby right after delivery most of the time. Try to nurse your baby within an hour after you deliver if possible.
Feed your baby on demand. Let your baby tell you when hungry. Most often your baby will eat 8 to 12 times each day. Look for signs your baby is hungry like:
- Smacking or licking the lips
- Sucking on fingers, hands, tongue, or lips
- Opening and closing mouth
- Rooting and moving the head from side to side
Your baby may turn away, close the mouth, or relax the arms when full.
Limit pacifiers for the first month. You may also want to wait to try to give a bottle until after the first month of breastfeeding as well. This will give your baby a chance to learn how to breastfeed well before introducing a different kind of nipple.
Be comfortable that your baby is getting enough milk. You do not need to give your baby extra water, juice, or formula. After a week of nursing, most babies who are getting enough milk will have 4 to 6 wet diapers each day. They will also have 3 to 6 yellow seedy stools each day. If you are worried, always check with your doctor.

What will the results be?

Breastfeeding helps both you and your baby. ‚

Your baby:
- Takes in breast milk which helps with brain growth and weight gain.
- Is protected from germs.
- Has a lower risk of health problems like diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and sudden infant death syndrome
You have:
- Breast milk that is readily available and always the right temperature for your baby
- Weight loss
- Less risk of:
  - Certain cancers
  - Heart disease
  - Bone problems like osteoporosis
  - Type 2 diabetes

When do I need to call the doctor?

Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher
No wet diaper for more than 8 hours
Soft spot on babys head looks sunken
Problems eating or spits up a lot
Baby will not stop crying

Where can I learn more?

American Academy of Family Physicians ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/pregnancy-newborns/caring-for-newborns/breastfeeding-formula/breastfeeding-hints-to-help-you-get-off-to-a-good-start.printerview.html ‚
American Academy of Family Physicians ‚
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2103.html ‚
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene ‚
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/chi/chi28-suppl1.pdf ‚

Last Reviewed Date

2015-04-29 ‚

List_set bdysylist

Adult
Healthy Living
Neonatal
Reproductive

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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