breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

What is breastfeeding (chestfeeding)?
Breastfeeding is the process of feeding a child breast milk, which can be done directly from the breast or by pumping and feeding. It's considered one of the most effective ways to ensure a child's health and survival.

What are some common concerns about breastfeeding?
Many people have concerns and worries about specific aspects of breastfeeding. Some common questions and answers include:

Are my breasts too small to breastfeed?
Breast size doesn’t affect your ability to breastfeed. The amount of milk your breasts make will depend on your overall health and how much your baby eats, not how big your breasts are.

Will breastfeeding hurt?
Breastfeeding should not hurt if your baby is latched onto your breast well.
Your healthcare provider or lactation consultant can help you learn how to hold your baby when you breastfeed for the first time. Your breasts might be tender the first few days, but this soreness should go away as you continue to breastfeed.

Is breastfeeding hard to do?
Breastfeeding is a learned skill and takes practice, but the health benefits you gain for you and your baby are worth it.

How do I breastfeed if I’m shy and worry that it will be embarrassing?
If you’re shy, there are several ways you can still breastfeed and feel comfortable. You can choose to feed your baby in private. Or, you can breastfeed in front of others without them seeing anything. You can wear shirts that pull up from the bottom, just enough for your baby to reach your breast. You can put a blanket over your shoulder or around your baby so no one can see your breast.

Do I have to drink milk if I choose to breastfeed?
No, you don't have to drink milk to make breast milk. Other sources of calcium-rich foods include yogurt, cheese, tofu, salmon, almonds, calcium-enriched fruit juice, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, and dried beans and peas. Eat four servings of calcium-rich foods every day to provide proper nutrition for you and your baby. You can also ask your provider about calcium and vitamin D supplements.

What if I need to go out?
If you can take your baby with you, your baby can eat when they are hungry. If you need to be away from your baby, you can pump or "express" your milk and refrigerate it so that someone else can feed your baby from a bottle.

How can I breastfeed when I go back to work?
When you return to work, you can learn to pump or "express" your milk and refrigerate or freeze it so that someone else can feed your milk to your baby while you're at work. Often, your place of work will have a private space set aside for you to pump.

Will breastfeeding take too much time?
Feeding your baby takes time, no matter which method you choose. If breastfeeding takes a very long time for you it may be helpful to pump your milk and bottle feed it to your baby.

Are there any foods or drinks that I should avoid while breastfeeding?
Cutting back on your caffeine. You can drink caffeine when you’re breastfeeding but try to limit it to about 200 milligrams each day.
Limiting your alcohol intake. You can also drink a limited amount of alcohol when you’re breastfeeding. However, you should wait a few hours (at least two) after a drink before you feed your baby.

Can I still breastfeed if my baby won’t latch on my breast?
Yes. If your baby won’t latch on your breast, you can still give your baby breast milk. Pumping, or expressing, your milk with a breast pump machine allows you to feed your baby your breast milk without your baby being attached to your breast. When you pump milk, the machine creates suction – which pulls the milk from your breast and into bottles or bags. You can then store the milk in your fridge, or freezer or give it directly to your baby in a bottle.

Can I use birth control while I’m breastfeeding?
If you’re breastfeeding, you might not get your period for a while after your baby is born. However, just because you aren’t having a monthly period doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. There are many different types of birth control you can use during this time to prevent pregnancy. These options include:
- Condoms.
- Diaphragms.
- Intrauterine devices (these can even be implanted right after you deliver your baby).
- Birth control pills (your provider might prescribe you a progestin-only pill called the “mini-pill”).

How long should I breastfeed my baby?
If you can, you should continue to use breast milk throughout your baby’s first year, even as you add new foods to their diet. After that, the benefits are less significant for your baby and they will be transitioning to a solid food diet.