Breast-feeding: What every mom needs to know

You know the benefits of breast-feeding. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients for your baby. Breast milk is easier to digest than is commercial formula, and the antibodies in breast milk boost your baby's immune system. Breast-feeding may even help you lose weight after the baby is born. Still, breast-feeding can be challenging. You may need more practice — and patience — than you might have imagined. Here's help getting off to a good start.

Ask for help right away

Reading about breast-feeding is one thing. Doing it on your own is something else. The first few times you breast-feed your baby, ask for help. The maternity nurses or the hospital's lactation consultant can help you position the baby and make sure he or she is latching on correctly. Your doctor or your baby's doctor may be able to help, too.

To get started, get comfortable. Support yourself with pillows if needed. Then cradle your baby close to your breast — rather than bending over or learning forward to bring your breast to your baby. Support the baby's head with one hand and support your breast with the other hand. Tickle your baby's lower lip with your nipple. Make sure your baby's mouth is open wide and he or she takes in part of the darker area around the nipple (areola). Your nipple should be far back in the baby's mouth, and the baby's tongue should be cupped under your breast. Listen for a rhythmic sucking and swallowing pattern.

If you need to remove the baby from your breast, first release the suction by inserting your finger into the corner of your baby's mouth.

Let your baby set the pace

For the first few weeks, most newborns breast-feed every two to three hours round-the-clock. Watch for early signs of hunger, such as stirring and stretching, sucking motions, and lip movements.

Let your baby nurse from the first breast thoroughly, until the breast feels soft — typically 15 to 20 minutes. Then try burping the baby. After that, offer the second breast. If your baby's still hungry, he or she will latch on. If not, simply start the next breast-feeding session with the second breast. If your baby consistently nurses on only one breast at a feeding during the first few weeks, pump the other breast to relieve pressure and protect your milk supply.

Hold off on a pacifier

Some babies are happiest when they're sucking on something. Enter pacifiers — but there's a caveat. Giving your baby a pacifier too soon may interfere with breast-feeding, since sucking on a breast is different from sucking on a pacifier. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to introduce a pacifier until a baby is 1 month old and breast-feeding is well established.

Gauge your success

When your baby is latched on successfully, you'll feel a gentle pulling sensation on your breast — rather than a pinching or biting sensation on your nipple. Your breasts may feel firm or full before the feeding, and softer or emptier afterward. Look for your baby to gain weight steadily, produce at least six wet diapers a day and be content between feedings. Your baby's stools will become yellow, seedy and loose.

Take care of your nipples

After each feeding, it's OK to let the milk dry naturally on your nipple. If you're in a hurry, gently pat your nipple dry. To keep your nipples dry between feedings, change bra pads often. When you bathe, keep soap, shampoo and other cleansers away from your nipples. If your nipples are dry or cracked, apply an ointment containing lanolin after each feeding.

Make healthy lifestyle choices

Your lifestyle choices are just as important when you're breast-feeding as they were when you were pregnant.

• Eat a healthy diet. Opt for fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Your health care provider might recommend continuing to take a daily prenatal vitamin as well.
• Drink lots of fluids. Water, juice and milk can help you stay hydrated, which promotes milk production. Limit soda, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, though. Too much caffeine may lead to irritability or interfere with your baby's sleep. If you choose to have an occasional alcoholic drink, avoid breast-feeding for two hours afterward.
• Rest as much as possible. If you can, sleep when the baby sleeps.
• Don't smoke. Aside from the well-known dangers of smoking, smoking can reduce your milk supply — and the nicotine in your breast milk may change the taste of the milk and interfere with your baby's sleep.
• Be cautious with medication. Only take medication with your health care provider's OK.

You might also check with your baby's doctor about vitamin D supplements, especially if you're exclusively breast-feeding. Breast milk may not provide enough vitamin D, which is essential to help your baby absorb calcium and phosphorus — necessary for strong bones.

Give it time

If breast-feeding is tougher than you expected, try not to get discouraged. Breast-feeding every few hours is exhausting, and it's OK to have a slow start. Just remember that the more often you breast-feed your baby, the more milk your breasts will produce — and the more natural breast-feeding is likely to feel.

If you're struggling, ask a lactation consultant or your baby's doctor for help — especially if every feeding is painful or your baby isn't gaining weight. Although your nipples may be tender for the first few weeks, breast-feeding isn't supposed to hurt. If you haven't worked with a lactation consultant, ask your baby's doctor for a referral or check with the obstetrics department at a local hospital.

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