Breastfeeding Your Baby

How is breast milk good for my baby?

• Breast milk gives your baby the best nutrition. Human milk has the right combination of nutrients for your baby. These nutrients include protein, fat, sugar, vitamins, and minerals that your baby needs to grow. Colostrum is a fluid made by your breasts before your breast milk comes in. Colostrum is rich in antibodies (proteins that protect your baby’s immune system). Breast milk starts to replace colostrum 2 to 4 days after your baby’s birth. Ask your caregiver for more information about how breasts make milk.
  
  
• Breast milk is safe and easy for your baby to digest. Breast milk is easy for your baby to digest (break down) and absorb (move nutrients into his body). Breast milk does not need to be prepared and is fresh and safe to drink.
  
  
• Breast milk protects your baby against allergies and infections. Breast milk has antibodies and other substances that help to protect your baby’s immune system. Breastfed babies have a lower risk for allergy problems such as eczema. Eczema is a skin condition in which the skin is red, itchy, and swollen. Breast milk can also help to protect your baby against ear infections, diarrhea, and lung infections.
  
  
• Breast milk decreases your baby's risk for certain medical conditions. Breastfed babies may have a lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). They have a lower risk of becoming obese or developing type 1 diabetes during childhood. Breastfeeding also decreases your baby's risk of developing other medical problems later in life. These include type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.

How is breastfeeding good for my health?

• Breastfeeding can help you recover faster after delivery. Breastfeeding right after the delivery of your baby helps stop bleeding from your uterus (womb). It also helps shrink your uterus back to the size it was before your pregnancy.
  
  
• Breastfeeding delays your monthly period. You may not have a monthly period for several months if you are breastfeeding only (no formula). During this time, your chances of getting pregnant may be lower. You may still need to use some form of birth control to make sure that you do not get pregnant. Ask your caregiver for more information about birth control methods you can use while breastfeeding.
  
  
• Breastfeeding may help you lose weight faster. You may be able to lose weight by following a normal diet if you are breastfeeding only (no formula). This can happen because of the extra calories your body needs to support breastfeeding. You will need to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of healthy liquids, such as milk and water. Ask your caregiver for more information about breastfeeding and your diet.
  
  
• Breastfeeding may decrease your risk of postpartum depression and certain diseases. Women who breastfeed may have a lower risk of having postpartum depression. Breastfeeding decreases your risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes in women who did not have gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Breastfeeding can make your bones stronger. This can help prevent you from getting osteoporosis and fractures (bone breaks) later in life.
  
  
• Breastfeeding has other benefits. Breastfeeding is a special experience that can help you bond with your baby. Breastfeeding your baby can help increase your confidence in caring for your baby, especially if you are a first-time mother. Breastfeeding can save you time and money because you do not have to buy and prepare milk.

Can I breastfeed my baby if he is born premature?

• Some premature (born too early) babies are not able to eat on their own. These premature babies will need to be fed through a tube. Even though these babies cannot feed directly from the breast, they can still get breast milk. It can be expressed (squeezed or pumped out) and then fed to the baby. As the baby grows and develops, he may learn to breastfeed. It is important to express milk once the baby is born so that he can receive antibodies from colostrum. When you express milk from your breasts, you help to stimulate them to make more milk.
  
  
• Breast milk is especially good for premature babies who have a very low birth weight. Premature babies are at risk for having medical problems. This is because their immune system is not fully formed. The immune system helps fight off infection. The antibodies and nutrients found in colostrum and breast milk can help to protect a premature baby against medical problems. Breast milk helps your baby’s eyes, brain, and digestive system to develop.

When should I not breastfeed my baby?

• Your baby has galactosemia, which is a condition that keeps his body from breaking down galactose. Galactose is a form of sugar found in breast milk.
  
  
• You have active tuberculosis that has not been treated for at least two weeks.
  
  
• You are infected with HIV, or have AIDS.
  
  
• You use illegal drugs or drink alcohol often or in large amounts.

How can I care for myself while I am breastfeeding?

• Talk to your caregiver before taking any medicines: This includes all prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines. Some medicines may decrease the amount of breast milk you make. Other medicines may enter your breast milk and affect your baby.
  
  
• Do not smoke: If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. Smoking can decrease how much breast milk you make. Smoking harms your body in many ways. You are more likely to have heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and other health problems if you smoke. Quitting smoking will improve your health and the health of those around you. Talk with your caregiver if you smoke and need help to quit.
  
  
• Limit or avoid alcohol: Breastfeed your baby before you drink alcohol. Do not breastfeed your baby for at least 2 to 2 ½ hours after having one drink. One drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer or four ounces of wine. One ounce of liquor, such as whiskey, is one drink of alcohol. Talk to your caregiver if you drink alcohol and are breastfeeding.
  
  
• Go to all follow-up visits with your caregiver: Ask your caregiver when to return for follow-up visits. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• Your baby is four or more days old and has less than six wet diapers each day.
  
  
• Your baby is four or more days old and has less than three BMs each day. The BMs should be yellowish.
  
  
• Your baby is very sleepy or very irritable.
  
  
• Your baby is feeding less than eight times each day.
  
  
• You feel you are not making enough breast milk for your baby.
  
  
• You have nipple pain while feeding or between feedings. Your nipples may look red, dry, and cracked. They may have scabs on them.
  
  
• You feel a lump in your breast. The lump may be tender (painful when touched).
  
  
• Your breasts become painful and swollen.
  
  
• Your baby becomes jaundiced (skin and whites of the eyes are turning yellow).

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You are feeling very depressed (deep sadness).
  
  

Where can I find more information about breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding can be hard. Learn as much as you can about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding support groups can support and encourage you while you are breastfeeding. They can also help you if you are having any problems with breastfeeding. Your caregiver also may have you see a lactation consultant, to help you with breastfeeding. You also can contact the following:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan how you are going to feed your baby. To help with this plan, you must learn as much as you can about breastfeeding. Ask your caregiver questions about breastfeeding. You can talk with your caregiver about the best way for you to feed your baby.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.