Breastfeeding — Best For Baby. Best For Mom.

In the news

• New Research Suggests Link between Maternal Diet and Childhood Leukemia Risk
• The Office on Women's Health has been selected to receive the Normal Birth Media Award at the Lamaze International 2004 Annual Conference, Making Waves for Normal Birth, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL September 10-12, 2004.  The Normal Birth Media Award is given in recognition of and appreciation for OWH's contribution to the promotion of breastfeeding.
• Analysis Shows Infants of Mothers Infected With HIV Face Nearly Constant Risk For HIV Infection For Duration of Breastfeeding Previously, Researchers Thought Risk Diminished As Infants Grew Older

Whether you are a new or expecting Mom, if you are on this section of the web site, you're probably interested in giving your baby the best care you can. And one of the best things that only you can do is to breastfeed for as long as possible. While breastfeeding isn't the only option for feeding your baby, every mother has the potential to succeed and make it a wonderful experience. Or maybe you are the partner or a family member of a breastfeeding Mom and would like to learn more about breastfeeding. You've come to the right place! Here we provide practical, helpful breastfeeding information. Dive into our resources to find out how breastfeeding can be one of the most important things you do for both you and your baby!

Why Should You Breastfeed Your Baby?

Best for Baby

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. Breast milk has agents (called antibodies) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses and to help them fight off infection and disease. Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile.
More detail on benefits for baby.

Best for Mom

Breastfeeding saves times and money. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula, and there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night. Breastfeeding also helps a mother bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted. Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds gained from pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size more quickly and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth. Breastfeeding also may lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
More detail on benefits for mom.

The U.S. Surgeon General Recommends Breastfeeding

The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that babies be fed with breast milk only — no formula — for the first 6 months of life. It is better to breastfeed for 6 months and best to breastfeed for 12 months, or for as long as you and your baby wish. Solid foods can be introduced when the baby is 6 months old, while you continue to breastfeed.
Click here for the HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding (PDF file, 439 Kb)

Click here for:

A Printable Compilation of our Breastfeeding web site:

• English version (43 pages, PDF file, 780 Kb)
• Spanish version (38 pages, PDF file, 700 Kb)
• Chinese version (42 pages, PDF file, 1 Mb)

Easy Guides to Breastfeeding

NWHIC's Pregnancy Specialty Section on our Web Site

Advancing Women's Health: Health Plans' Innovative Programs in Breastfeeding Promotion

Text last updated June 2004