BENEFITS FOR BABY:

• Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.

• As a result, breastfed infants grow exactly the way they should. They tend to gain less unnecessary weight and to be leaner. This may result in being less overweight later in life.

• Premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature babies who are fed formula.

• Breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests, especially babies who were born pre-maturely.

• Eat a balanced diet
• Continue prenatal vitamins until you stop nursing
• Increase fluid intake
• Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine
• Check with your pediatrician about medications, many pass through the breast milk.
• Breastfeeding can delay return of menstruation and fertility, BUT this is not a dependable form of birth control.
• Certain birth control pills are safe to use while breastfeeding, check with your gynecologist for recommendations.
• Wear a good supportive bra.
• Uterine cramping is normal for the first 3 to 4 weeks.
• Always wash your hands before breastfeeding.
• Nurse from both breasts with each feeding.
• Use lanolin cream on nipples 3 to 4 times a day after feeding to keep the nipples from becoming dry and cracked.