Breastfeeding
Basics
Will I Have Enough Milk?
Calibrated in the first few days
Based on how much milk is
removed
Early and often
Steps for success
• Feed the Baby
• Move the Milk
• Keep Mom & Baby together
Do I have to change my
lifestyle?
• Mothers DO NOT have to have a
“perfect” diet to successfully lactate.
• Listen and Respond to your bodies’
message.
– Eat when you’re hungry
– Drink when you’re thirsty
– Rest when you’re tired
• Alcohol:
– Moderation advised
– If mother feels intoxicated breastmilk
contains alcohol and should not be
given to infant
– When mother no longer feels the effects
of alcohol breastmilk has safe levels of
alcohol
• Nicotine:
– Excessive nicotine intake decrease milk
supply.
Nicotine:
– Mother’s should not smoke during
breastfeedings
– Increases secondary smoke exposure
– Secondary smoke increases incidence or
URTI, bronchitis, pneumonia, SIDS, leukemia
etc.
Getting off to a good start:
• Ideally, infant is placed to breast
IMMEDIATELY after birth.
• Breastfeeding should be initiated
within first hour after birth
How Often to Breastfeed
• Guidelines:
– Feed at least every 3 hours during the
day (8-12 feedings each 24 hrs)
– Feed at least 5-10 minutes each side
– Listen for swallowing
– Watch infant for satiety cues
– Avoid intense clock watching
Dad’s Special Role
• Supporting decision to breastfeed
• Provide encouragement
• Bringing infant to a responsive state
for feeding
• Supporting mother nutritionally by
preparing nutritious snack
• Helping with household tasks
How do I know if baby is
Getting Enough Milk?
8 to 12 feedings each 24 hours
Feed your baby at least 8 times each day.
Notice that your baby swallows often
At Least 4 Bowel Movements Each day
After baby is 4 days old he should have at
least 4 bowel movements each day. (Bowel
movements should be yellow by 5 to 7 days
after birth)
• Contentment After Feedings
– Your baby should be relaxed and satisfied
after most feedings
– Your baby should not cry, suck her hands,
“root” or need a pacifier after most feedings.
– Your baby’s fists and elbows should be
relaxed (not clinched or tightly flexed) after
feedings.
– It is better to minimize pacifier use until
breastfeeding is well established and your
baby is gaining weight (usually after two
weeks)
• Breastfeeding Should Not be Painful
– Some mothers notice mild nipple tenderness
in the first week. If it is painful to breastfeed,
your baby may not be latching-on correctly
and your baby may not be getting enough
milk
Make sure that your baby’s nose tip
and chin are touching your breast!
Breastfeeding challenges are more
easily solved if you get help early