INTRODUCTION TO BREAST FEEDING

Mostly, breast milk is the most perfect food for your baby. It contains easily digestible proteins, many factors that hold your baby's undeveloped immune system, and so many other factors that assist in digestion. Breast fed babies are also less likely to have stomach pain, upper respiratory infections, constipation, asthma or ear infection. And breastfeeding burn lot of calories which help in regain the weight which is before pregnancy.

1. Make sure you feed your baby right after his birth, before he is taken to the nursery if possible and you can use trusted breast pumps.
2. Room in with your baby so that you can breastfeed on demand when your baby is hungry.
3. Instruct the nursery staff not to give supplemental bottles of formula unless instructed to do so by your Pediatrician and if a supplement is required for some reason, ask if an alternative to a bottle can be used, such as a lactation aid, finger feeding or cup. Don't underestimate the danger of a bottle, even if given occasionally, can have to your chances of breastfeeding well. But breast pumps can be trusted as the best alternative.
   
4. Have the hospital staff observed you breastfeeding your baby prior to discharge.
5. Avoid supplementing with formula or using a bottle before he is 3-4 weeks old (unless instructed to do so by your Pediatrician). In fact, it is probably best to not use a bottle at all to maximize your chances of breastfeeding effectively. Finger feeding, cup feeding or lactation aids are all better alternatives.
6. Avoid using a pacifier before he is 3-4 weeks old (unless he is already breastfeeding effectively, or breast pumps can be used then it is probably all right to introduce a pacifier sooner). Again, it is probably best to not use a pacifier at all, since their use is associated with early weaning and prolonged use of a pacifier is associated with an increased risk of ear infections.
7. Don't smoke (smoking is associated with having a poor milk supply and many other negative medical effects on children and especially newborns), although if you do smoke, you can definitely breastfeed and it may help offset the increased risk of allergies and asthma that is found in children that are exposed to second hand smoke.
8. Limit the intake of foods and drinks that have caffeine in them.
9. Don't compromise on breast feeding and try to take all possible measures, like the use of the most trusted and quality trusted breast pumps to continue your breast feeding.
10. Breast milk has no alternatives.