Breast Is Still Best

Fifteen years ago, we knew breastfeeding was the best way to feed your baby, and we're even more convinced today.

By Cori Vanchieri

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2. Watch another mom nurse "It's hard to learn to ride a bike without seeing someone else do it," say Babes for Breastfeeding founders Bettina Forbes and Danielle Rigg.

3. Go for skin-to-skin contact Doing so immediately after delivery will help trigger your newborn's urge to breastfeed. "Whisking away the baby to be cleaned and evaluated for a prolonged time is a relic of the 1930s and '40s," Wolynn says. In fact, the AAP recommends that the baby be put on the mother's chest and cleaned and evaluated there, so the first feeding can happen right away.

4. Don't wait to get help "Day 4 or 5 is when troubles come up," Wolynn says. "If it's going well at this point, it will typically continue to. But if problems do occur, you're more likely to give up if you don't have support."

5. Do your best "Some breastfeeding is better than none," says Wolynn. "Listen to your baby and feed early and often in the first three to seven days to establish a good milk supply." Then, if you just can't breastfeed exclusively, you and the baby can acclimate to a nursing schedule that works for the two of you. For that all-important immune protection, he adds: "Going past 2 months of age is an important milestone."

6. Know your rights Thirty-nine states have laws guaranteeing women the right to breastfeed in any public or private location. Some states even have laws that protect a woman's right to pump at work. For more information, visit ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm.

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August/September 2008