COMMON QUESTIONS BEGINNING about breastfeeding to breastfeed Can I breastfeed if my breasts are How can I breastfeed in public? HOW BREAST MILK IS MADE The small amount of colostrum also makes it small? Yes. The size of your breasts depends It can be very convenient for you to breastfeed Human milk is made by special cells inside easier for your newborn baby to practice the largely on how much fatty tissue they contain, when you are away from home with your baby. your breasts (see Figure 1). The milk comes breastfeeding skills of sucking, swallowing, not the amount of milk-producing tissue. Most All states have laws that specifically allow from these cells, moves down the milk ducts, and breathing at the same time, in rhythm. women can make enough milk for their babies women to breastfeed in any public or private and flows through the nipple openings to By the time your baby masters the rhythm, no matter what size their breasts are. location. For more information, see the your baby. For your body to continue to your milk supply increases to match their Are there any special foods I should National Conference for State Legislatures produce milk after your baby is born, two increasing appetite. eat? The only requirement is that you eat a (www.ncsl.org), which details breastfeeding important things must happen. First, nipples healthy, well-balanced diet. Some mothers find laws in all 50 states. To feel more comfortable, must be stimulated along nerve pathways so GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START that their babies are upset by certain foods, and you can place a blanket or shawl over your chest your body gets the message to make more For the first hour or two after your baby is they need to eliminate just those foods from and shoulder so that the breast cannot be easily milk. The stimulation is provided either by born, they will likely be wide awake and their diet. But this should be evaluated on an seen. It may be helpful to practice this at home the baby’s sucking at the breast in the proper ready for their first breastfeeding. When individual basis with your physician before you first. Many stores have areas where mothers can position or by expressing your milk yourself. some babies are put skin-to-skin with their cut any particular food out of your diet. breastfeed in private, or you might consider The second key to continued milk production mothers shortly after birth, they will attach ducking into a fitting room to breastfeed. You is frequent and complete emptying of milk (“latch on”) to the breast on their own. Other Can I lose weight while I am may be more at ease trying these things if you from the breasts. The more milk you remove, mothers and babies need a little assistance breastfeeding? Breastfeeding may help breastfeed in front of a mirror at home—and the more milk you will make (see “Breastfeeding before this latching can occur. some mothers get back to their pre-pregnancy note how little of the breast can actually be seen. weight more quickly than mothers who are not How can the rest of baby’s family be positions and techniques,” page 14, and “How do you breastfeeding. The hormones involved in involved? Other members of the family can express your milk?” page 36). breastfeeding cause the uterus to contract, provide breastfeeding support and THE FIRST MILK which helps it shrink in size. It is important that encouragement. For example, studies have Colostrum is the name of the first milk to the foods you eat are healthy, so that you can shown that with the partner’s help and come from the breasts. The breasts begin to keep up your energy while breastfeeding. It is support, breastfeeding is more successful and make colostrum—a thick, sticky, yellowish or you, not your baby, who will suffer if your diet is continues longer. Other caregivers can also not a good one. Many mothers find that eating make sure you get enough to eat and drink, white substance—in the 16th week of small, frequent, nutritious snacks and meals, and they can do many things to help care for pregnancy. Because colostrum is small in and drinking plenty of fluids, will help them lose the baby so that it is easier for you to amount, some first-time mothers think weight more quickly. Breastfeeding mothers can breastfeed. they “don’t have any milk” for their baby. participate in an exercise program as soon as But a little colostrum goes a long way! their health care professional gives the OK. If the first feeding doesn’t go perfectly, Do I need to stay at home to breastfeed? It is the ideal food for your newborn to start be patient. You are both new at this. No. Breastfed babies are easy and convenient to on for several reasons. First, it contains a Instead, breastfeed as often as possible take along with you. When you have recovered large amount of antibodies, which will help during your hospital stay. Studies have from the birth of your baby and are ready to go protect your baby from illnesses during the shown that mothers who stay with their out, all you need is your baby and the diaper first months of life. Second, it is a very babies after birth have greater success bag. If you need to go out without baby, you can concentrated food source, high in protein at breastfeeding. By being together, you soon express your milk and leave it for someone and minerals. recognize each other’s signals and get off to a else to feed while you are gone (see “Expressing great beginning! and storing breast milk,” page 36). 8 9