Human milk and infant formula are different. Not only does human milk provide all the protein, sugar, fat, and vitamins your baby needs to be healthy, but it has special benefits that formulas cannot match. It helps protect your baby against certain diseases and infections. Because of the protective substances in human milk, breastfed children are less likely to have the following:

• Ear infections (otitis media)
• Allergies
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia, wheezing, and bronchiolitis
• Meningitis

Research also suggests that breastfeeding may help to protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Other reasons why human milk is good for your child include the following:

• It is easier for babies to digest.
• It does not need to be prepared.
• It costs nothing to make and is always in supply.
• It is even good for the environment since there are no bottles, cans, and boxes to put in the garbage.
• Breastfeeding also provides physical contact, warmth, and closeness, which help to create a special bond between a mother and her baby.

There are also many health benefits for you because breastfeeding does the following:

• Burns more calories and helps you get back to your prepregnancy weight more quickly.
• Reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and, in premenopausal women, breast cancer.
• Builds bone strength to protect against bone fractures in older age.
• Delays the return of your menstrual period, which may help extend the time between pregnancies. (Keep in mind that breastfeeding alone will not prevent pregnancy.)
• Helps the uterus return to its regular size more quickly.

The longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits will be to your baby and you, and the longer these benefits will last. The World Health Organization (WHO) and many other experts encourage women to breastfeed for as long as possible, 1 year or even longer, because human milk provides the best nutrition and protection against infections.

Breastfeeding—Starting Out Right

Breastfeeding is the natural, physiologic way of feeding infants and young children milk, and human milk is the milk made specifically for human infants. Formulas made from cow’s milk or soy beans (most of them) are only superficially similar, and advertising which states otherwise is misleading. Breastfeeding should be easy and trouble free for most mothers. A good start helps to assure breastfeeding is a happy experience for both mother and baby.

The vast majority of mothers are perfectly capable of breastfeeding their babies exclusively for four to six months. In fact, most mothers produce more than enough milk. Unfortunately, outdated hospital routines based on bottle feeding still predominate in many health care institutions and make breastfeeding difficult, even impossible, for some mothers and babies. For breastfeeding to be well and properly established, a good early few days can be crucial. Admittedly, even with a terrible start, many mothers and babies manage.

The trick to breastfeeding is getting the baby to latch on well. A baby who latches on well, gets milk well. A baby who latches on poorly has difficulty getting milk, especially if the supply is low. A poor latch is similar to giving a baby a bottle with a nipple hole which is too small—the bottle is full of milk, but the baby will not get much. When a baby is latching on poorly, he may also cause the mother nipple pain. And if he does not get milk well, he will usually stay on the breast for long periods, thus aggravating the pain.

Here are a few ways breastfeeding can be made easy:

1. The baby should be at the breast immediately after birth. The vast majority of newborns can be put to breast within minutes of birth. Indeed, research has shown that, given the chance, babies only minutes old will often crawl up to the breast from the mother’s abdomen, and start breastfeeding all by themselves. This process may take up to an hour or longer, but the mother and baby should be given this time together to start learning about each other. Babies who "self-attach" run into far fewer breastfeeding problems. This process does not take any effort on the mother’s part, and the excuse that it cannot be done because the mother is tired after labour is nonsense, pure and simple. Incidentally, studies have also shown that skin to skin contact between mothers and babies keeps the baby as warm as an incubator.

2. The mother and baby should room in together. There is absolutely no medial reason for healthy mothers and babies to be separated from each other, even for short periods. Health facilities which have routine separations of mothers and babies after birth are years behind the times, and the reasons for the separation often have to do with letting parents know who is in control (the hospital) and who is not (the parents). Often bogus reasons are given for separations. One example is the baby passed meconium before birth. A baby who passes meconium and is fine a few minutes after birth will be fine and does not need to be in an incubator for several hours’ "observation".

There is no evidence that mothers who are separated from their babies are better rested. On the contrary, they are more rested and less stressed when they are with their babies. Mothers and babies learn how to sleep in the same rhythm. Thus, when the baby starts waking for a feed, the mother is also starting to wake up naturally. This is not as tiring for the mother as being awakened from deep sleep, as she often is if the baby is elsewhere when he wakes up.

The baby shows long before he starts crying that he is ready to feed. His breathing may change, for example. Or he may start to stretch. The mother, being in light sleep, will awaken, her milk will start to flow and the calm baby will be content to nurse. A baby who has been crying for some time before being tried on the breast may refuse to take the breast even if he is ravenous. Mothers and babies should be encouraged to sleep side by side in hospital. This is a great way for mothers to rest while the baby nurses. Breastfeeding should be relaxing, not tiring.

3. Artificial nipples should not be given to the baby. There seems to be some controversy about whether "nipple confusion" exists. Babies will take whatever method gives them a rapid flow of fluid and may refuse others that do not. Thus, in the first few days, when the mother is producing only a little milk (as nature intended), and the baby gets a bottle (as nature intended?) from which he gets rapid flow, he will tend to prefer the rapid flow method. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out, though many health professionals, who are supposed to be helping you, don’t seem to be able to manage it. Nipple confusion includes not just the baby refusing the breast, but also the baby not taking the breast as well as he could and thus not getting milk well and /or the mother getting sore nipples. Just because a baby will "take both" does not mean that the bottle is not having a negative effect. Since there are now alternatives available if the baby needs to be supplemented (see handout #5 Using a Lactation Aid, and handout #8 Finger Feeding) why use an artificial nipple?

4. No restriction on length or frequency of breastfeedings. A baby who drinks well will not be on the breast for hours at a time. Thus, if he is, it is usually because he is not latching on well and not getting the milk which is available. Get help to fix the baby’s latch, and use compression to get the baby more milk (handout #15 Breast Compression). This, not a pacifier, not a bottle, not taking the baby to the nursery, will help.

5. Supplements of water, sugar water, or formula are rarely needed. Most supplements could be avoided by getting the baby to take the breast properly and get the milk that is available. If you are being told you need to supplement without someone having observed you breastfeeding, ask for someone to help who knows what they are doing. There are rare indications for supplementation, but usually supplements are suggested for the convenience of the hospital staff. If supplements are required, they should be given by lactation aid (see handout #5), not cup, finger feeding, syringe or bottle. The best supplement is your own breastfeeding%20ingredients.htm#Colostrum" class="h4">colostrum. It can be mixed with sugar water if you are not able to express much at first. Formula is hardly ever necessary in the first few days.

6. A proper latch is crucial to success. This is the key to successful breastfeeding. Unfortunately, too many mothers are being "helped" by people who don’t know what a proper latch is. If you are being told your two day old’s latch is good despite your having very sore nipples, be skeptical, and ask for help from someone who knows.

Before you leave the hospital, you should be shown that your baby is latched on properly, and that he is actually getting milk from the breast and that you know how to know he is getting milk from the breast (open—pause—close type of suck). If you and the baby are leaving hospital not knowing this, get help quickly.

7. Free formula samples and formula company literature are not gifts. There is only one purpose for these "gifts" and that is to get you to use formula. It is very effective, and very unethical, marketing. If you get any from any health professional, you should be wondering about his/her knowledge of breastfeeding and his/her commitment to breastfeeding. "But I need formula because the baby is not getting enough!". Maybe, but, more likely, you weren’t given good help and the baby is simply not getting your milk well. Get good help. Formula samples are not help.

Under some circumstances, it may be impossible to start breastfeeding early. However, most medical reasons (maternal medication, for example) are not true reasons for stopping or delaying breastfeeding, and you are getting misinformation. Get good help. Premature babies can start breastfeeding much, much earlier than they do in many health facilities. In fact, studies are now quite definite that it is easier for a premature baby to breastfeed than to bottle feed. Unfortunately, too many health professionals dealing with premature babies do not seem to be aware of this.

Questions? (416) 813-5757

Handout #1. Breastfeeding—Starting Out Right. Revised January 1998 - article by Dr_Jack_Newman.htm" class="h4">Dr. Jack Newman

This may be the most asked question for La Leche League Leaders. It is understandable, since breasts are neither see-through nor marked off in ounces. Thank goodness there are other signs that indicate baby is getting enough milk.

Typically during the first few days, while the baby is receiving mother’s thick, immunity-boosting colostrum, he will wet only one or two diapers per day.

Once mother's milk comes in, usually on the third or fourth day, the baby should begin to have 6-8 wet cloth diapers (5-6 wet disposable diapers) per day. (An easy way to feel the weight of a wet disposable diaper is to pour 2-4 tablespoons of water in a dry diaper.)

In addition, most young babies will have at least two to five bowel movements every 24 hours for the first several months, although some babies will switch to less frequent but large bowel movements at about 6 weeks.

A baby that is sleeping rather than feeding every 2-3 hours or is generally lethargic may need to be assessed by a health care provider to make sure that he is adequately hydrated.

These are additional important signs that indicate your baby is receiving enough milk:

• The baby nurses frequently averaging at least 8-12 feedings per 24-hour period.
• The baby is allowed to determine the length of the feeding, which may be 10 to 20 minutes per breast or longer.
• Baby’s swallowing sounds are audible as he is breastfeeding.
• The baby should gain at least 4-7 ounces per week after the fourth day of life.
• The baby will be alert and active, appear healthy, have good color, firm skin, and will be growing in length and head circumference.

The physical act of breastfeeding is more than the quantity of milk that is supplied, as you will find once you hold your baby in your arms. Breastfeeding is warmth, nutrition, and mother's love all rolled into one. Understanding and appreciating the signs of knowing when your baby is getting enough to eat is the one of the most important things a new mother can learn. If you have any concerns regarding your baby, they should be addressed with your health care practitioner.

You can find a LLL Leader and Group by going to our Web page on finding a local Leader.

For more information, read the article by Dr. Jack Newman. READ: getting%20enough%20breast%20milk.htm">Handout #4. Is My Baby Getting Enough? Revised January 1998

Minor problems can develop while breast-feeding, and are most common during the first few weeks. Because you likely are physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, minor problems can seem overwhelming. Home treatment measures can be used for:

Breast engorgement
Feeding on demand not only ensures that your baby’s hunger is satisfied, but it also helps prevent engorgement. Engorgement occurs when your breasts become too full with milk. A little engorgement is normal, but excessive engorgement can be uncomfortable or painful. If your breasts do become engorged, try the following:

• Express some milk before you breastfeed, either manually or with a breast pump.
• Soak a cloth in warm water and put it on your breasts. Or take a warm shower before feeding your baby. For severe engorgement, warmth may not help. In this case, you may want to use cold compresses as you express milk. Ice packs used between feedings can relieve your discomfort and reduce swelling.
• Feed your baby in more than one position. Try sitting up, then lying down.
  Gently massage your breasts from under the arm and down toward the nipple. This will help reduce soreness and ease milk flow.
• Do not take any medications without approval from your doctor. Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol) may relieve pain and is safe to take occasionally during breastfeeding.

It is important to keep breastfeeding. Engorgement is a temporary condition and will be most quickly relieved by effective milk removal.

Once the engorgement passes, your breasts will become soft again. This is normal and is exactly what should happen.

Let-Down
The let-down reflex occurs every time you breastfeed. The first few times you breastfeed this let-down reflex may take a few minutes. Afterward, let-down will occur much more quickly, usually within a few seconds.

The signs of let-down are different for each woman. Sometimes when your baby starts to nurse, you may feel a brief prickle, tingle, or even slight pain in your breast. Or, milk may start dripping from the breast that’s not being used. These feelings and milk flow are signs of the let-down reflex. This means your body is making it easier for your baby to nurse.

You may feel strong cramping in your uterus when your milk lets-down. The hormone oxytocin, which stimulates milk flow, also causes the muscles of the uterus to contract. Nursing helps your uterus go back to its original size. This cramping is totally normal and is actually a sign of successful nursing. The cramping should go away in a week or so.

To help the let-down process along, try these tips:

• Sit in a comfortable chair with good support for your arms and back. Many nursing mothers find that rocking chairs work well.
• Make sure your baby is in the proper position on your breast. Correct positioning is one of the most important factors in successful breastfeeding.
• Listen to soothing music and sip a nutritious drink during feedings.
• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. These all contain substances that can interfere with let-down and affect the content of breast milk. They are not good for you and not good for your baby.
• Wear nursing bras and clothes that are easy to undo. Nursing bras have front closing flaps that come down to expose your nipple and part of your breast.
• If your household is very busy, set aside a quiet place ahead of time where you will not be disturbed during feedings.
• Sometimes just thinking about your baby helps let-down take place.

Food sensitivities
Sometimes breastfeeding babies react to certain foods that their mothers eat. You might notice that after eating spicy or "gassy" foods, your baby cries, fusses, or even nurses more often. Since babies with colic often have similar symptoms, the best way to tell the difference between a food reaction and colic is by how long symptoms last. With food reactions, symptoms are usually short-lived, lasting less than 24 hours. Symptoms caused by colic occur daily and often last for days or weeks at a time. If your baby gets symptoms every time you eat a certain type of food, stop eating that particular item.

Mastitis is an infection of the breast. It causes swelling, burning, redness, and pain. This usually occurs in just one breast and may also cause a nursing mother to feel feverish and ill. If you have any of these symptoms, let your doctor know at once so that you can start treatment. Lots of rest, warm compresses, antibiotics, breast support, and continued breastfeeding are all that are usually needed.

Mastitis occurs when a milk duct gets blocked and bacteria infect a portion of the breast. Rest and good nutrition will help you get back your energy. Also, frequent nursing will help drain your breasts and prevent the infection from spreading.

You should not stop breastfeeding while you have mastitis since the infection will not spread to your milk. It is important to keep the milk flowing in the infected breast. If it is too painful to have your baby nurse on the infected breast, open up both sides of your bra and let the milk flow from that breast onto a towel or absorbent cloth. This relieves the pressure as you feed the baby on the opposite side. Pumping the affected side may also be necessary.

Sore or cracked nipples. If your baby is not positioned properly or does not latch-on well when you start breastfeeding, you might end up with cracked or sore nipples. To prevent cracked nipples, position the baby better and be sure the baby’s lips and gums are on the areola and not on the nipple. Also, try to vary your baby’s position at each feeding. Get help from your pediatrician or a lactation consultant.

The best treatments for cracked nipples are dryness, light, and warmth. Do not wear plastic breast shields or plastic-lined nursing pads that hold in moisture. Instead, gently pat your nipples dry then apply human milk or medical grade modified lanolin. Wash your breasts only with water, not soap. Many creams and lotions, which must be removed before nursing, will not help and may actually make the problem worse. If these steps do not solve the problem, consult your doctor for further advice.

*All content in this site have been organized for your convenience. These resources is used solely as an informational guide and does not have the authority to replace or negate advice from your medical practioner or the like. Although these resources have been extracted for your benefit from leading and respectable sources, IncreaseBreastMilk.com is not responsible for its inaccuracies or misdiagnosis. Always seek the advice of a professional medical practioner before performing or using any products or information stated in this site.