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The Global Library of Women’s Medicine
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Enhancing the Welfare of Women
Expert Health Information for Women
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is important because it provides nutrition for your baby and helps you to develop a bond with your baby.
Breastfeeding can also help to protect you and your baby from some illnesses.
Breastfeeding your baby in the first hour after birth is really important and it is the best start to your baby’s life.
Placing your naked baby next to your naked skin, is called skin to skin contact and putting your baby skin to skin with you straight after it has been born helps the baby to get to know you.
This makes the baby feel calm, and can help it to breastfeed.
Skin to skin contact between you and your baby immediately after birth helps your body to release a hormone that supports mother and baby bonding.
Breastfeeding works best when your baby only drinks breast milk for the first six months of their life. This is called exclusive breastfeeding.
Giving your baby water, tea, honey or other food and drink in the first six months may make your baby sick.
Breastfeeding helps your baby to grow well and stay healthy.
Breastfeeding has many benefits.
Babies who are only fed with breast milk in the first six months of life are more likely to be strong and healthy.
They are also less likely to get infections, diarrhoea and constipation than babies who are given water, other drinks or solid food before they are six months old.
Exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of their life can act as a natural form of family planning.
Mothers who exclusively breastfeed their babies may also have less risk of getting breast cancer.
It is good to keep your baby close to you, so you can see when it is getting hungry.
When your baby wakes up, and starts to move its mouth, lick its lips, or put its hands in its mouth, it could mean that it is hungry.
If it does any of these things, you can offer it a breastfeed.
To make sure your baby gets all the milk it needs, and that your breasts do not get sore when you breastfeed, the baby must attach to your breast in the right way.
Make sure your baby’s head is free and can move. This lets the baby move its head and open its mouth wide.
Your baby’s head and body should be in line. It is hard for the baby to feed if its body is twisted.
Your baby’s nose should be in line with your nipple before it feeds.
Then when your baby opens its mouth, it can take a big mouthful of breast tissue, and your nipple will be at the top of its mouth.
You should bring your baby to your breast so that it can be comfortable during the feed. If you take your breast to the baby, this could cause you pain and the feed may be too short.
Make sure you are comfortable when you are breastfeeding. Your baby should also be relaxed and comfortable.
There are many ways to know that your baby is getting enough breastmilk.
Your baby’s mouth will be wide open when it is feeding, and its chin will touch the breast.
Your baby will pause when feeding and you will be able to see it swallowing.
Your breasts will feel soft after a feed.
You may see milk around your baby’s mouth during or after a feed.
Your baby will also be growing.
Your baby will wee 6 to 8 times a day.
Your baby’s poo with change colour. It will be black and sticky at birth. Then it will turn green. By the time your baby is one week old, its poo will be yellow.
It is important that you eat and drink well when you have a baby as this will help you to have a good supply of breastmilk for your baby.
When you first start breastfeeding, you may have some problems, such as sore nipples. This can be normal. However, you should talk to a healthcare worker if you are having any problems.
Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life helps to keep you and your baby well.
If you need any support with breastfeeding, you should talk to your local healthcare worker.
The authors of this BREASTFEEDING programme are:
- Professor Grace Edwards
Professor of Midwifery - Dr Joanne Welsh
Consultant Midwife
The Welfare of Women programme has been created under the General Editorship of Dr Kate Lightly, University of Liverpool, UK and is overseen by an expert International Editorial Board