Tips On…Breast Feeding

Successful Nursing Tips

• Give your baby only breast milk in the first few weeks of life.
• Avoid formula or any other fluid from a bottle unless necessary until your body has established an adequate milk supply. Discuss this with your physician.
• The amount and frequency of sucking tells the breast how much milk to produce. If you offer a bottle instead of the breast in the first few weeks of life, your body will produce less milk.
• Empty the first breast before going to the second breast. If one breast is not emptied, start with that breast at the next feeding. If the baby's sucking slows down, offer the alternate breast.
• Allow the baby to establish his or her own schedule for nursing. Early in life, the baby may need nursing every one and one-half to three hours around the clock.
• Frequent nursing helps to establish adequate milk supply, which will ensure your child gains adequate weight. It also plays a major role in preventing breast engorgement and sore nipples.
• Babies will usually need more to eat around 10 days and again at 3 weeks of age, and will nurse more often at this time. This causes your body to produce more milk for your baby.
• The infant's individual growth is the best guide to determine the adequacy of breast-feeding. If you have concerns, discuss them with your health care provider.
• You need increased fluid intake for adequate milk supply. To ensure that you get enough fluid during this time period, it is recommend that you drink fluids every time you sit down to nurse.
• Breast-feeding can be continued when you return to work. Discuss options with your health care provider.
• Take care of yourself, eat well and get plenty of rest and relaxation. Caring for yourself will aid in increasing your milk supply and improving your general sense of well being.
• The baby's first bowel movements will be dark green or black. This is meconium. Meconium filled the intestines before birth. Gradually, the stools will turn a light mustard color and will be slightly runny.