Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

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Your searched on: breast feeding

Feeding Your Premature Infant
Some premature babies can't be fed by mouth right after birth. If your baby was born before the gestational age of 32 to 34 weeks, he or she can't feed by mouth. The reasons are: Poor coordination (or lack) of sucking, swallowing, and gag reflex. Weakness of both the oral and stomach muscles. Small stomach capacity...

Nutrition While Breastfeeding
Eating well during breastfeeding helps you stay healthy. Eat a variety of grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy or dairy alternatives, and protein foods. Avoid fish high in mercury. And limit alcohol and caffeine. Your doctor or midwife may suggest eating more calories each day than otherwise recommended for a person of...

Breastfeeding: Waking Your Baby
Most medical professionals recommend letting a baby eat on demand. But during the first few days of breastfeeding, your baby will need to breastfeed at least 8 times in a 24-hour period. This means you may need to wake your baby to eat. This will...

Quick Tips: Successful Breastfeeding
Offers tips for breastfeeding, including when to feed, how to hold your baby, and how to get a good latch.

Weaning
Weaning is the process of switching your baby from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding, or from a breast or bottle to a cup or solid foods. Weaning usually works best when it is done gradually over several weeks, months, or even longer. There is no...

Hospital Policies and Breastfeeding
It's important to have support from the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who care for you and your baby. Before it's time for you to give birth, ask about the breastfeeding policies at your hospital or birthing center. Look for a hospital or birthing center that has policies for: "Rooming in." This policy encourages...

Feeding Your Infant
Feeding a baby is an important concern for parents. Experts recommend feeding your baby only breast milk for about 6 months. They also support breastfeeding for 2 years or longer. But your baby benefits from any amount of time that you breastfeed. Try to breastfeed for as long as it works for you and your baby. If you...

Feeding Schedule for Babies
Experts recommend that newborns be fed on demand. This means that you breastfeed or bottle-feed your infant whenever they show signs of hunger, rather than setting a strict schedule. Newborns follow their feelings of hunger. They eat when they are hungry and stop eating when they are full. In the first few days after...

Breastfeeding: How to Use a Breast Pump
A breast pump is a device that allows you to empty milk from your breasts whenever you want to or need to. Then you can store the milk for later. Using a breast pump is a good way to provide the benefits of breastfeeding when you have to be away...

Breastfeeding: Choosing a Breast Pump
A breast pump is a device that allows you to empty milk from your breasts whenever you want to or need to. Then you can store the milk for later. You can also express breast milk by hand ( manual expression). But it takes longer to completely empty a breast this way. Pumps work faster and can be operated by hand, with...

Storing Breast Milk
Breast milk can be released (expressed) by hand or with a pump. Then the milk can be stored to feed your baby later. Breast milk can be stored at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer for certain amounts of time. Storing breast milk properly can help keep it safe to feed to your baby. Why store breast milk...

Combining Breastfeeding and Bottle-Feeding
You may choose to breastfeed and use a bottle for some of your baby's feedings. It is best to wait until your baby has been breastfeeding well for several weeks before you try feeding your baby from a bottle. Sometimes the shape of the nipple plays a part in how well your breastfed baby adjusts to bottle feedings. Many...

Breastfeeding When You Have Diabetes
Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby. Even with diabetes, you can have the same chance of success with breastfeeding as anyone else. Here are some tips for eating a healthy diet when you're breastfeeding. Get help from a registered dietitian. It's important to eat a nutritious diet. A registered dietitian can...

Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
Provides tips for how to prepare for breastfeeding. Covers talking with your doctor or a lactation consultant, taking a class, connecting with the birthing center, and gathering supplies and support.

Preventing Mastitis
Mastitis is a breast inflammation sometimes caused by infection. It's most common during the first 6 months of breastfeeding (sometimes called chestfeeding). But it can happen at any time. You can keep breastfeeding your baby. In fact, breastfeeding...

Diet, Breastfeeding, and Colic
The exact cause of colic is not known. It is possible that some foods may affect breast milk and contribute to intestinal gas or other digestive problems. These problems may make crying episodes worse. Foods that often affect breast milk in this way include: Garlic, onions, cabbage, turnips, broccoli, and beans...

Breastfeeding a Sick Baby
Your baby may have signs of a minor illness, such as cold symptoms or mild diarrhea. If so, it's best to keep breastfeeding. Breast milk provides your baby with the best possible nutrition. If your baby is too sick to breastfeed, try cup-feeding....

Breastfeeding: Sore Nipples
Explains what causes sore or cracked nipples from breastfeeding. Provides self-care tips, prevention, and when to get help.

Breastfeeding at Work
Planning ahead may help you keep breastfeeding after you return to work. Here are some things to think about. Employer support. Before your child is born, talk to your employer about your breastfeeding plans. Work out the details of where you can...

Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
A number of things affect how much milk your breasts make (your milk supply). The two most important things are how often you breastfeed and how well your breast is emptied. Breastfeeding (sometimes called chestfeeding) stimulates the hormone that...

Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Problems
Nipple shields are devices that may help with certain problems with breastfeeding (sometimes called chestfeeding). A nipple shield looks like a little hat with a brim. Many have a cutout area on the brim to allow for more skin-to-skin contact. The...

Breastfeeding Positions
Breastfeeding in a proper position will help your baby latch on and breastfeed correctly and make your experience more enjoyable. Also, when you are in a comfortable and relaxed position, let-down happens more easily. There are several...

Breastfeeding Multiple Infants
You may choose to breastfeed. This can be more challenging with multiple babies. But support and guidance can help you be successful. Talk to your doctor, your midwife, or a lactation consultant if you need help. Support can also come from a trusted...

Signs That Your Baby Is Getting Enough to Eat
Babies give cues during feeding that show how hungry they are. Pay attention to these cues to help know when your baby has had enough to eat. A baby who is hungry will latch on to the breast or bottle and suck continuously. A baby who is getting full during a feeding will take longer pauses between sucking. A baby who...

Breastfeeding: Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
Guides through decision to breastfeed. Discusses common concerns and issues related to breastfeeding. Links to personal stories. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Breastfeeding: Using Medicines Safely
Talk to your doctor before you take any prescription or over-the-counter medicines while breastfeeding. That's because some medicines can affect your breast milk. Many medicines are safe to use when you breastfeed. These include: Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Some cold...

COVID-19: Advice if You're Planning a Pregnancy, Pregnant, Recently Pregnant, or Breastfeeding
There are things you can do to protect your health and the health of your baby. Experts recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, were recently pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you're pregnant or were recently pregnant You are at higher risk for getting seriously ill from...

Breastfeeding: Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
If you are breastfeeding, many things that you eat, drink, or take into your body end up in your breast milk. Some of these things may harm your baby. Tobacco and nicotine. Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco may reduce your milk production. It also may make your baby fussy. Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke...

Sleep, Rest, and Breastfeeding
Rest and sleep are important to breastfeeding women for keeping up their energy and their milk production. Help yourself sleep well Avoid or limit caffeine, especially in the hours before bedtime. Caffeine can keep you awake. Use the evening hours for settling down. Avoid watching TV and using the computer or phone if...