Photo_ForMom_01Start by taking a prenatal breastfeeding class. There are On line classes are available for free. 

Babies need only breastmilk for the first 6 months. At about 6 months babies need to eat solid foods and continue to breastfeed for up to 2 years and beyond. Start solid foods that are nutritious, especially foods that are high in iron.

Breastfeeding is a unique experience with each new baby. It takes time for both of you to “get it right”.

To “get breastfeeding right”, it is important to:

  • Hold your baby “skin to skin” for at least 60 minutes right after delivery and often during the days that follow
  • Put your baby to breast as soon as possible, the first hour is most important
  • Hold and position your baby correctly
  • Latch your baby correctly
  • Remove breastmilk frequently by hand expressing, even if your baby is feeding well.  This milk can be fed to the baby by spoon. 
  • Removing breastmilk by hand expression in the first hour can increase your milk supply by 130% at 6 weeks!! (Effect of early breastmilk expression:Parker LA. J Perinatol. 2012, Parker LA. Breastfeeding Medicine 2015)

Giving commercial infant formula to a breastfed baby may reduce your breastmilk supply, giving expressed/pumped breastmilk is the better option.

If you decide not to breastfeed or stop breastfeeding, it is possible to restart, but it may be difficult.

Videos 

Baby latching animation