Many expecting parents have questions about breastfeeding. It’s entirely normal to wonder whether breastfeeding is right for you (and your baby)—and whether you know how to do it correctly.
While breastfeeding is a natural process, it doesn’t always come naturally. Successfully breastfeeding your baby requires a bit of trial and error, but knowing the basics can help you prepare a little ahead of time.
The Many Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breast milk offers many health benefits to newborns, both now and in the future.
“I talk to women every day about the benefits of breastfeeding,” said Kate McLachlan, a registered nurse and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with University Health.
She explains that when a baby latches on within the first hour after birth, the milk comes in sooner. An early latch also significantly increases the amount of milk produced in the following weeks and months. If the baby cannot latch immediately, hand expression of milk soon after birth can help increase production.
“Additionally, the baby’s saliva is absorbed into the breast and the body automatically transfers antibodies needed by her baby,” McLachlan said. “We’re constantly learning new facts about the responsive components of breast milk.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of developing:
- Asthma
- Ear infections
- Eczema
- Lower respiratory infections
- Stomach bugs
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Type 1 diabetes
Breast milk also strengthens the immune system, helping those tiny bodies fend off infections of all kinds.
“Your baby isn’t the only one who benefits from breastfeeding,” says Dr. Kristen Plastino, a senior medical director in obstetrics and gynecology, for University Health. She explains those who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing:
- Breast cancer
- High blood pressure
- Ovarian cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
An added benefit? Breastfeeding can help you recover more quickly after labor and delivery.
Register for our free breastfeeding classes.
Common Breastfeeding Challenges
Although it may seem like it should come naturally, breastfeeding comes with many challenges. The numbers in the 2022 Breastfeeding Report Card show that the percentage of babies who are breastfed decreases as time goes along:
- In the days after birth, 83.2% of babies start out receiving breast milk.
- By 1 month of age, 78.6% of babies are still being breastfed.
- By 6 months of age, 55.8% of babies are receiving some breast milk, with 24.9% still exclusively fed breast milk.
There are many reasons for this drop off. Many new parents don’t end up breastfeeding for as long as they’d like to, often for one of these reasons:
- Breast pain or infections
- Concerns about taking medication while breastfeeding
- Inadequate parental leave or breastfeeding support in the workplace
- Low milk supply
- Problems getting the baby to latch on to the breast
- Worries about the baby getting enough nutrients
“If you’re running into discouraging challenges while breastfeeding, working with a certified lactation consultant, both in the hospital and after you’re at home, can make a big difference,” says Dr. Plastino. Lactation consultants have specialty training in helping parents and babies overcome hiccups in the breastfeeding process.
“I dedicate a lot of time teaching parents how to get their baby to latch on properly,” McLachlan said. “I also spend time reassuring new parents that they can produce enough milk for their baby to be healthy. We talk about medications—nursing parents can take most over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. I have a discussion with each parent about their individual circumstances and concerns.”
Schedule an appointment with our expert pregnancy and childbirth team at the Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
5 Tips for Breastfeeding Success
Working one-on-one with a lactation consultant can help you through the specific challenges you’re experiencing. But these tips can help you get started:
1. Find the right position.
The clutch or “football” hold works best for many breastfeeding parents. In this position, you hold the baby level, facing up, at your side.
The baby’s head should be placed near the nipple on that side, and you’ll support your baby’s back and legs under your arm. Hold the baby’s head in your palm, with a pillow under your arm to help you support the baby’s weight.
2. Use pillows for support.
Holding your baby as you breastfeed can be like a mini strength training session! Use pillows and cushions to support your body as you feed your baby. Experiment with placing pillows under your arms, elbows, neck and back to find what works for you.
You should also use pillows to position your baby correctly for feeding. Instead of lowering your nipple and your body toward your baby, use a cushion to bring the baby up to nipple height. This assistance is not only more comfortable for you and the baby, but it also helps with getting a good latch.
3. When it comes to latching, think “fish” lips.
Touch your nipple to your baby’s top lip. This will encourage your little one to open wide. The lower lip should be aimed away from the bottom of your nipple.
That’s where the fish lips come into play. Once positioned on the nipple, your baby’s lips should be turned outward on either side of your nipple, resembling a fish.
4. Get the entire nipple involved.
While breastfeeding, your baby’s tongue should be extended. Your entire nipple—not just the tip of the nipple—should then fill your baby’s mouth. Properly latching in this way can help prevent nipple pain and ensure your baby is getting enough milk.
How can you get the nipple in the correct position? Position the nipple in the back of the baby’s mouth and up high. Don’t be afraid to squish your nipple into your baby’s mouth. You want enough nipple in the mouth to compress the breast, which creates a deep latch.
5. Learn your baby’s hunger cues.
Talking with a lactation consultant about how to tell if your little one is getting enough milk can help provide you with peace of mind. As your baby gets a little older, you’ll begin to learn more about each other, including signs your baby is hungry or full.
Crying is a common hunger cue for many babies, but it isn’t the only one. Other signs include sucking on hands, smacking lips, turning toward the breast or opening and closing the mouth. On the other hand, a full baby will move away from the breast and turn away from the nipple.
When to Stop Breastfeeding
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively feeding babies breast milk for the first six months of life. Both direct breastfeeding and bottle feeding are effective feeding methods.
After six months, you can combine breast milk with other foods.
Pregnancy Support with University Health
At our Women’s & Children’s Hospital, we offer moms and their babies care before, during and after pregnancy.
Those who give birth at our hospital will have access to our breastfeeding coaching from a certified lactation consultant. You can also register for a free breastfeeding class.
If you are a first-time parent, you can sign up for our Nurse-Family Partnership, a free parent and child health program. You must enroll before the start of your third trimester (28 weeks). Throughout this program, you will partner with one of our experienced registered nurses, who will provide you with support, advice and information until your child is 2 years old.
Community Resources
Whether you receive care from us or not, we aim to connect our community to valuable resources related to pregnancy and postpartum care through our Institute for Public Health.
We’re here to support you at every step of your pregnancy journey.
