Breastfeeding is Best

Breastfeeding is best for mom and baby.

Why?

Breastfeeding...

• is the natural and traditional way to feed babies,
• provides the best nutrition for babies,
• helps protect your baby from sickness,
• is always ready, safe, clean and at the right temperature,
• saves money,
• helps mother and baby form a special bond,
• helps baby's mouth develop properly,
• may help prevent the baby from becoming overweight later in life,
• may help protect mom against breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.

How to succeed

• Relax, you are both learning!
• The keys to success are to start early, feed often and position baby well at the breast.
• Your baby is doing well if he or she:
  • has at least 2 soft yellow stools every day,
  • has urine with almost no colour or smell,
  • in the first 3 days: has 1 to 2 wet diapers per day,
  • after the first 3 days: has 6 or more wet diapers per day,
  • feeds well 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.

Get help if this is not happening with your baby.

You also need help if:

• your baby is sleepy and hard to wake.
• you have sore nipples or a red, painful area on your breast.
• you have fever, chills, or other flu symptoms.

Did you know?

• ...You should keep on eating healthy foods just as you did during pregnancy. And avoid the same harmful things too!
• ... You will produce enough milk to meet your baby's demands, no matter what the size or shape of your breasts.
• ...The make-up of your breast milk changes to meet baby's needs: during a feeding, and as baby grows older.

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