Everyone needs good nutrition. But it is even more important for babies and children because they need good nutrition in order to grow and develop. Your breastmilk is more than nutrition. It also protects your baby. Your breastmilk helps keep your baby from getting sick. And it lowers your baby’s risk of asthma, allergies, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Your breastmilk protects your child for a long time, long after you stop breastfeeding. For example, it lowers your baby’s risk of being overweight later in life. And it lowers his risk for adult diabetes and some types of cancer. Breastfeeding is good for you, too. It lowers your risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and diabetes. And it burns about 600 calories a day, making it easier to lose some of the weight you gained while you were pregnant. Breastfeeding also helps in other ways. It helps your baby’s brain develop. It creates a close bond between you and your baby. It saves money in formula and health care costs and cuts down on the days you miss from work. And breastmilk is a natural resource, so it helps our planet. By breastfeeding, you are doing something that is good for your health and your baby’s health - for life. During pregnancy, your body gets ready to breastfeed. In the fourth month of pregnancy, your breasts start making colostrum, the first milk for your baby. Colostrum can be yellow or clear. The colostrum that you feed your baby during the first few days after birth will boost his immune system and help him poop. This lowers his chance of jaundice, a condition where the baby’s skin and eyes turn yellow. Your newborn baby has a tiny stomach – about the size of a small marble. On the first day, his stomach can only hold about one teaspoon of colostrum each time you feed him. Your baby’s stomach and appetite will grow as he grows. Colostrum is the only thing your baby needs the first few days after he is born. Any amount of breastfeeding is good, but the longer you breastfeed, the better. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that women should breastfeed their babies “exclusively” (feed only breastmilk to their babies) for about the first 6 months. At that point, mothers should start giving baby foods and continue to breastfeed, at least until the baby is 12 months old. Experts say that women should keep breastfeeding after one year as long as the mom and the baby both want to. These steps can help you breastfeed. Let your nurse know that you want to follow these steps. FIRST HOUR 1. Breastfeed within the first hour after birth, even if you had a caesarean (or c-section) birth. 2. Feed only breastmilk to your baby. Ask for a breast pump if your baby is not feeding from your breast. 3. Hold your baby “skin-to-skin” as much as you can. This means that your baby’s skin is touching your skin. 4. Keep your baby in your room, day and night, except for special procedures. 5. Do not give a pacifier or bottle to your baby. When your baby is born, he should be placed on your bare chest. This skin-to-skin contact will comfort your baby after the delivery. The staff can do most things they need to do while you are holding your baby. Your baby will start to look for your breast and nipple. His head will bob up and down as he crawls to your breast. It may take some time, but your baby will attach to your breast when he is ready. It is truly amazing to watch your baby find your breast and start feeding. If he does not show interest in the first hour, place his cheek on top of one of your breasts so he can feel, smell and taste your nipple. If he still does not show interest in eating, ask for help. Your baby should breastfeed within the first hour or so after birth. Some babies are extra sleepy in the first few days or need more time to practice breastfeeding. If your baby will not feed from your breast, you may need to remove your breastmilk by hand. This is called “hand expression.” Hand expression of colostrum is better than pumping because colostrum can stick to pump parts, so you might not collect as much of it. To hand express: 1. Wash your hands. 2. Use a clean container with a wide opening or a spoon to collect your colostrum. 3. Hold the container near your nipple. With your other hand, place your fingers and thumb in line with your nipple and about one to two inches away from your nipple. Press your finger and thumb toward your ribs. Squeeze gently and catch your milk in the cup. Relax your hand. Repeat the process. Press in, squeeze gently, relax, and repeat. 4. It may take a few minutes before you see any colostrum. Your baby only needs about one teaspoon each time you feed him. 5. Ask a nurse or lactation consultant to help you express and feed your colostrum to your baby. Once you are in your room • Ask to keep your baby in your room at all times – day and night. • Feed only breastmilk to your baby. Do not give bottles or pacifiers. • Hold your baby skin-to-skin as much as possible. Babies love skin-to-skin contact. Once you are in your room, dress your baby in just a diaper, cap, and hold her against your bare chest. Cover her back with a blanket. Tuck the ends of the blanket behind your own back to keep her snuggled up close to you. You can also put a blanket around your shoulders, too. Skin-to-skin contact with dad is also a great way for dads to bond with their babies. Holding babies skin-to-skin helps them: • Breastfeed better • Cry less • Recover from the delivery more quickly How do I hold my baby for breastfeeding? There are many positions you can use. Try different positions to find what works best for you. Laid Back Hold • Lay back and use pillows for support and comfort. • Place your baby face down between your