| Breastfeeding Should I breastfeed my baby? Getting ready for the birth of your baby is an exciting and busy time. One of the most important decisions you will make is how to feed your baby. Deciding to breastfeed can give your baby the best possible start in life. Breastfeeding benefits you and your baby in many ways. It also is a proud tradition of many cultures. In general, the longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits will be to you and your baby, and the longer these benefits will last. Breastfeeding is good for your baby because 1. Breastfeeding provides warmth and closeness. The physical contact helps create a special bond between you and your baby. 2. Human milk has many benefits. It's easier for your baby to digest. It doesn't need to be prepared. It has all the nutrients, calories, and fluids your baby needs to be healthy. It has growth factors that ensure the best development of your baby's organs. It has many substances (that formulas don't have) that protect your baby from a variety of diseases and infections. Because of these protective substances, breastfed children are less likely to have Pneumonia, wheezing, and bronchiolitis Other bacterial and viral infections, such as meningitis Research also suggests that breastfeeding may help to protect against obesity, diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and some cancers.
Breastfeeding is good for your health because it helps Release hormones in your body that promote mothering behavior. Return your uterus to the size it was before pregnancy more quickly. Burn more calories, which may help you lose the weight you gained during pregnancy. Delay the return of your menstrual period to help keep iron in your body. Reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Keep bones strong, which helps protect against bone fractures in older age.
Breastmilk gives your baby more than just good nutrition. It also provides important substances to fight infection. Breastfeeding has medical and psychological benefits for both of you. For many mothers and babies, breastfeeding goes smoothly from the start. For others, it takes a little time and several attempts to get the process going effectively. Like anything new, breastfeeding takes some practice. This is perfectly normal. If you need help, ask the doctors and nurses while you are still in the hospital, your pediatrician, a lactation specialist, or a breastfeeding support group. | 
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Breastfeeding your baby There are several ways you can tell whether your baby is getting enough milk. They include all or some of the following things: Your baby has frequent wet and dirty diapers. Your baby appears satisfied after feeding. Milk is visible during feedings (leaking or dripping). Your baby is gaining weight.
Your baby should have several wet or dirty diapers each day for the first few days after delivery. Beginning around the time that your milk comes in, the wet diapers should increase to 6 or more per day. At the same time, stools should start turning green, then yellow. There should be 3 or more stools per 24 hours. Typically, once breastfeeding is going well, breastfed babies have a yellow stool during or after each feeding. As your baby gets older, stools may occur less often, and after a month, may even skip a number of days. If stools are soft, and your baby is feeding and acting well, this is quite normal. Your baby's feeding patterns are an important sign that he is feeding enough. A newborn may nurse every 1½ to 3 hours around the clock. If you add up all the feedings over the course of the day, your baby should feed at least 8 to 12 times a day. When feeding well with good latch-on, the infant will suckle deeply, you will hear some swallowing, and the feeding won't be painful. The baby should appear satisfied and/or sleep until time for the next feeding. If your baby sleeps for stretches of longer than 4 hours in the first 2 weeks, wake him for a feeding. If your baby will not waken enough to eat at least 8 times per day, call your pediatrician. Your child will be weighed at each doctor's visit. This is one of the best ways to tell how much milk your baby is getting. The AAP recommends that babies be seen for an office visit (or home visit) between 3 to 5 days of age to check on breastfeeding and baby's weight. During the first week, most infants lose several ounces of weight, but they should be back up to their birth weight by the end of the second week. Once your milk supply is established, your baby should gain between ½ and 1 ounce per day during the first 3 months. Signs of hunger You will soon get to know your baby's feeding patterns. In addition, babies may want to breastfeed for reasons other than hunger. It's OK for you to offer these "comfort feedings" as another way of meeting your baby's needs. Nearly all newborns are alert for about 2 hours after delivery and show interest in feeding right away. Let the hospital staff know that you plan to take advantage of this opportunity—it's very important to the breastfeeding process. After 2 hours, many newborns are sleepy and hard to wake for the next day or so. Watch for the early signs of hunger. This is the time to pick your baby up, gently awaken her, check her diaper, and try to feed her. Your baby starts to let you know when she's hungry by the following early signs or cues: Small movements as she starts to awaken Whimpering or lip-smacking Pulling up arms or legs toward her middle Stretching or yawning Waking and looking alert Putting hands toward her mouth Making sucking motions Moving fists to her mouth Becoming more active Nuzzling against your breast
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