MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding Exclusive breastfeeding means your baby receives only breast milk without any extra food or liquids—not even water. Because breast milk contains everything your baby needs, make exclusive breastfeeding your goal. Breastfeeding tips • Room share with baby in the hospital and at home • Hold your baby skin-to-skin as often as possible • During the day, respond quickly to your baby’s feeding cues • Night feeding (when prolactin level is high) helps increase milk production • Avoid giving baby formula without a medical reason • Avoid pacifiers and artificial nipples in the first few weeks • Get breastfeeding support from friends, support groups, play groups • Work with a lactation consultant SUPPLEMENTING WITH FORMULA Breastfeeding provides all the nutrients your baby needs. A healthy full-term baby doesn’t need formula supplementation unless it’s for medical treatment and breast milk is not available. Supplementing with formula for non-medical reasons comes with risks, including: • Decreasing healthy bacteria in your baby’s gut that protect from infection • Changing your baby's suck and feeding patterns • Possible engorgement, reduced milk supply, missed breastfeeding goals NOTE: Giving a baby formula won’t make a fussy baby any less fussy.

IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING Breast milk is made just for your baby and provides the perfect balance of nutrients, along with antibodies that help protect against illness. And did you know that breastfeeding is also good for your health? Let’s take a closer look.

Benefits for baby

• Lowers risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) • Protects against respiratory and diarrheal disease • Reduces ear infections

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months after birth. The AAP also supports continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods introduced at about 6 months, as long as mutually desired by mother and child for 2 years or beyond.

• Decreases obesity later in childhood • Lessens chances of type 1 diabetes • Decreases risk of childhood cancer • Offers protection against allergies

Benefits for you

MAKING MILK Your milk supply is regulated by the principle of supply and demand. This means the more milk your baby takes from your breasts, the more milk you’ll make. To get a good start, feed your newborn as soon as possible after birth and frequently over the first 24 hours (day and night).

• Lowers risk of osteoporosis (bone weakness) later in life • Reduces risk of breast, uterine, endometrial, and ovarian cancer • Decreases insulin use for breastfeeding parents with diabetes • Releases hormones to help shrink uterus and prevent bleeding • Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure

SCAN + PLAY

Your first milk is called colostrum. Only produced for a short time, colostrum is easy to digest and beneficial to your baby’s health. The more colostrum your baby gets, the more stool you’ll see in their diaper. This is good because more stools mean more bilirubin is being removed from your baby’s body. And less bilirubin means your baby is less likely to have jaundice. Your breasts start making more mature milk in about 1 to 3 days. Keep feeding your baby frequently to keep making the amount of mature milk they need.

Breast Milk: The Ultimate Baby Food • All the nutrients your baby needs • Antibodies that fight off viruses and bacteria • Protects your baby’s gut from germs and diseases

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care