Breastfeeding FAQs

What are the benefits to breastfeeding for infants?

Decreases blood sugars

Protects against asthma, ear infections, obesity, and SIDs

Increases diarrhea

Increases fussiness and irritability

What are the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers?

Lowers risk of skin rashes and eczema

Increases postpartum weight

Lowers risk of allergies

Lowers risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension

The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend that a parent exclusively breastfeeds for:

3 months, with continued breastfeeding and formula for up to 1 year

12 months, with complementary foods starting afterwards

6 months, with continued breastfeeding and complementary foods up to 2 yrs

Never

When should breastfeeding start?

The next day

6 hours after birth

Within an hour after birth

12 hours after birth

How often should a newborn nurse?

On demand, or every 2-3 hours

Every hour

On demand during the days, without nighttime feedings

Every 4-5 hours

When does breast milk come in (lactogenesis II)?

1 week after delivery

1-3 days after delivery with frequent milk removal

2-5 days after delivery with frequent milk removal

2 weeks after delivery with frequent milk removal

Breastfeeding is painful. What could be wrong?

Insufficient breast tissue

Poor latch, engorgement, tongue tie, thrush, nipple breakdown, teething

Baby's lips are flanged outwards with a wide angled latch on the breast

Parent has low milk production

How much should a parent's intake be while breastfeeding?

Eat and drink as much as you want

Eat to hunger and drink to thirst, an extra 300-500 calories per day

Eat and drink half as much as you were eating during pregnancy

Eat to a goal of 5,000 calories per day

Do newborns need extra water or vitamins?

No, mom's milk provides the fluid and nutrients a baby needs up to 6 months

Yes, give water by a bottle if the baby has been losing weight

Yes, they should take a multivitamin to prevent deficiencies

Yes, they should be supplemented with pedialyte while breastfeeding

How can you tell if baby is getting enough milk by breastfeeding?

Fussiness, sucking on fists, rooting, crying

Plateau on baby's growth chart requiring supplementation

6 wet diapers & 2 dirty diapers a day, gains weight, consoles after feeding

Looks around, content when being held

How can you tell when a baby is hungry and ready to breastfeed?

Drowsy, relaxed fists and muscle tone, has a weak and quivering suck

Continues to sleep when offered the breast

Pursed lips, sleeping and does not react to realerting

Alert, awake, rooting, smacking lips, sucking on fists, crying

It is normal for breast milk to vary in color. They can be all of the following EXCEPT:

Bluish

Yellowish

Greenish

Black