Why should I breastfeed?
• Breast milk is the best food for babies in the first year of life. As infants
grow, breast milk changes to meet your baby’s nutritional needs.
• It can help protect you and your baby from certain illnesses and
diseases.
• Breastfed babies have fewer health problems than babies who do not
get any breast milk.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS and sleep-related infant death.
• Breastfeeding lowers risk of type 2 diabetes, certain types of breast
cancer and ovarian cancer.
How long should I breastfeed?
• Exclusive breastfeeding (baby gets only breast milk) is recommended for 6 months. After this, breastfeeding should continue along with age-appropriate solid foods. Experts recommend breastfeeding for at least 1 year.
• Any amount of breastfeeding is good for your baby’s health and development. Breastfeeding takes practice and patience. For some people, learning to breastfeed can be frustrating, but others have no problem at all! There are many in-person and online supports for breastfeeding people. If you have questions or concerns, please seek out expert support and information.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
• Many people worry about this. It is important to know that a newborn’s stomach is very small:
- At birth, a baby's stomach is the size of a marble and can only take in about 1-2 teaspoons during a feeding.
- At 2 weeks, a baby’s stomach is about the size of an egg and
able to take in about 2 ounces.
- The more often your baby breastfeeds, the more milk your breasts will make.
- Newborns usually eat every 2-3 hours.
• Signs that your baby is getting enough milk are:
- You can hear or see your baby swallowing.
- Tracking diapers: By day four, your baby should have at least 5-6 wet diapers every 24 hours and 3 or more stools that are yellow (or turning yellow). As your baby gets older, you can expect the pattern of wet and dirty diapers to change.
- Baby will gain weight as expected (although it’s normal for a baby to lose a small amount of weight in the first few days of life and then begin gaining.)
- Your baby is content after feedings, with relaxed hands and feet
- If you have any questions, contact your healthcare provider or breastfeeding expert.
Tips for making breastfeeding work for you
• Follow your baby’s lead. Every baby feeds differently and that is ok.
• Keep your baby close to you. Do skin-to-skin contact when possible but be sure you only do it when you are awake, or when someone is nearby to help make sure you don’t fall asleep.
• Avoid using pacifiers or bottles for the first few weeks, unless for a medical reason, to help your baby get adjusted to breastfeeding.
• Make sure your baby sleeps safely and close by – share your room, not your bed.
• Have open and honest communication with your work/school/family about breastfeeding.
Who can help me with breastfeeding?
• WIC providers have breastfeeding support staff who can help and support breastfeeding. This
includes Peer Counselors, Lactation Consultants and more.
- Visit www.Michigan.gov/WIC, then select “Breastfeeding for WIC Clients.”
- Contact the WIC Breastfeeding Warmline:
Call or text (833) 649-4223.
• Local Breastfeeding Support Groups (www.MiBreastfeeding.org)
• Your or your infant’s healthcare provider.
