Hesperian Health Guides
How to Breastfeed
For a new baby
Babies want to suckle when they are hungry, thirsty, fighting off a sickness, growing a lot, or need comfort. If you are not sure what your baby wants, try breastfeeding.
After birth, breastfeeding during the first hour helps the womb stop bleeding and return to its non-pregnant size and shape. Skin-to-skin contact and the baby’s suckling helps breast milk start flowing.
Newborn babies need the first yellow-colored breast milk (colostrum) that comes out of the breasts for the first 2 or 3 days after birth. Colostrum has all the nutrition that a new baby needs, and it protects against disease and cleans the baby’s gut. There is no need to give herbs, teas, or water to do this.
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| Keep your baby close by at night so you can breastfeed more easily. If you sleep with your baby, you can breastfeed and sleep at the same time |
For any baby
Feed from both breasts, and let the baby finish one breast first before offering the other. The whiter milk that comes after the baby has been feeding for a few minutes is richer in fat than the milk that first comes out. The baby needs this fat, so it is important to let the baby finish one breast before offering the other. The baby will let go when it is ready to stop or switch. If the baby takes only one breast at a feeding, begin the next feeding on the other breast.
Feed your baby whenever it is hungry, day and night. Many new babies will suckle about every 1 to 3 hours, especially in the first months. Let the baby suckle as long and as often as it wants. The more it suckles, the more milk you will make.
You do not need to give cereals, other milk, or sugar water—even in hot climates. These make the baby take less breast milk and may be harmful before 4 to 6 months.
Helping the baby burp (wind) |
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Sometimes when babies suckle they swallow air, which can make them uncomfortable. You can help a baby bring this air up if you hold it on your shoulder or chest and rub its back, or rub its back while it sits or lies on your lap or arm. These positions will also help comfort a restless baby or a baby that cries more than usual. |
How to hold the baby
Do not pinch the nipple when giving the breast to the baby.
When breastfeeding, it is important to hold the baby so it can suckle and swallow easily. You should also be in a relaxed, comfortable position so that your milk can flow well.
Support the baby’s head with your hand or arm. Its head and body should be in a straight line. Wait until its mouth is open wide. Bring the baby close to the breast and tickle its lower lip with the nipple. Then move the baby onto your breast. The baby should have a big mouthful of the breast, with the nipple deep inside its mouth.
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| This baby has a good mouthful of breast. |
This baby does not have enough breast in its mouth. |
| Chest to chest, chin to breast. | |
 Sit with a
straight back.
The baby’s head is suppported and in a straight line with the baby’s body.
The baby suckles the breast, not just the nipple.
The baby’s body is straight and turned toward the breast. |
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| With a newborn, your hand can usually cover the baby’s bottom. | This is another good position to use. Put pillows or some rolled up cloth under the baby |
If you are having trouble breastfeeding, get help from someone who has experience This often helps more than many health workers can Do not use a bottle It teaches the baby a different kind of sucking. Keep trying. Sometimes it takes practice for you to find good positions for your baby or for a baby to learn to suckle well.