breast milk has all the nutrients that your baby needs such as iron
breast milk is sterile, readily available, the perfect temperature, and free
antibodies in breast milk helps protect your baby against many infections and illnesses
your baby is not allergic to your breast milk
skin to skin contact (as in breastfeeding) assists in the ‘bonding’ experience of both mom and baby
baby weight gain when breastfeeding is necessary for healthy baby growth and is not excess
What are the benefits of breastfeeding to me?
breastfeeding helps your uterus to contract and return to its natural shape sooner than if you bottle feed
breastfeeding stimulates the release of ‘endorphins’, serotonin, melanin
and other hormones that help to regulate post partum emotional health for the mother
baby should be fed breast milk ONLY for the first 6 months of their life – water, formula or any other source of nutrients is NOT necessary
breast feeding your infant for 1 ˝ years gives them the best start
breast feeding takes approximately 2-3 months to be fully established – bottle feeding in between is not necessary
Benefits of breastfeeding video
How long and often do I feed my baby?
feed your baby on one breast for 20 – 25 minutes and start on the alternate breast for the next feed
this helps assure that the baby is getting the hind milk
hind milk is rich in the type of fat that babies need to grow (especially their first year) and to feel full and content
breast feeding should be on demand - feed the baby when he or she is hungry – you cannot overfeed a strictly breast fed baby
baby usually feeds 8 or more times in a 24 hour period
baby is getting enough milk if he or she soaks 4-6 diapers in a 24 hour period
after baby is 4 days old he or she will have 3-4 loonie sized or 1 large stool in a 24 hour period
breast fed babies often pass a stool after each feeding
Discomforts of breastfeeding
air dry nipples post feed to help prevent problems
nipple guards can be used if you are having difficulty with your nipples – these are available at your local pharmacy
if your nipples become sore, cracked or bleed talk to your health care professional to assess what is going on
Pumping Breast Milk
you can pump your breast milk into sterile feeding bottle using a manual, electric or battery operated breast pumps if you plan on being away for a feeding
a good quality electric breast pump is ideal for speed and full breast emptying
you can store breast milk:
for 4 hours at room temperature
for 3 days in a fridge
for 1 month in a freezer compartment inside a fridge
for up to 6 months in a separate door fridge-freezer
