BREASTFEEDING KNOW HOW

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for baby and mom. It's important not to get frustrated if you are having problems. What works for one mother and baby may not work for another, so just focus on finding a comfortable routine and positions for you and your baby.

View the complete text and printable version of Breastfeeding Know How

Text last updated June 2004

The following publications and organizations provide more information on breastfeeding know how:

Publications

1. A Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding (Copyright © AAP) - This fact sheet encourages women to breastfeed, and provides practical information on topics such as, how to know if the baby is getting enough food, how to help the baby latch on, and being careful about your diet and medications while breastfeeding.
   
   
2.   An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding for African-American Women - This guide for all African American women and their families is a supportive tool for women who choose to breastfeed. It explains the benefits for baby, mom and society, and also provides frequently asked questions and answers about breastfeeding. It also stresses the importance of breastfeeding in the African-American community, provides information on how this issue is being addressed, and how to talk to your healthcare provider about breastfeeding.
   
   
3. Breast Feeding: Hints to Help You Get Off to a Good Start (Copyright © AAFP) - This fact sheet offers helpful hints on successful breastfeeding including, the benefits, how to begin, how to hold your baby, the let-down reflex, what to do if your nipples get sore, preventing/healing sore nipples, how often should you feed your baby, signs that your baby is getting enough milk, how to increase your milk supply, what to eat, what to avoid eating and where to get more information on breastfeeding.
   
   
4. Breast-Feeding: Helpful Hints for You (Copyright © AAFP) - This on-line resource contains information on the details of breastfeeding including, planning ahead for breastfeeding, nipple confusion, successful breastfeeding, how to tell if the baby is getting enough breast milk and other possible problems.
   
   
5. Breastfeeding (Copyright © AAP) - This on-line resource is dedicated to breastfeeding. It offers information on the benefits of breastfeeding, getting started, taking care of the breast, how often you should nurse, how long it will take, latching on and let down, how to express milk from the breast, common concerns, and breastfeeding and working.
   
   
6. Breastfeeding and Your Diet (Copyright © AAP) - This publication provides guidance on what substances and foods should be avoided while breastfeeding.
   
   
7. Breastfeeding the High-Risk Newborn (Copyright © UUHSC) - This on-line resource offers information on the benefits of breastfeeding high risk newborns including, how to overcome difficulties in breastfeeding and how to express breast milk and maintain milk production.
   
   
8. Breastfeeding Tips (Copyright © NMC, INC.) - This on-line resource has information to offer on breastfeeding tips including, establishing a good milk supply, positioning, engorgement, sore nipples and signs that breastfeeding is going well.
   
   
9. Breastfeeding Your Baby (Copyright © ACOG) - This on-line resource contains information on breastfeeding such as, benefits, facts about breastfeeding, getting started, how to breastfeed, diet, sex and birth control, work, breast health and a glossary of terms.
   
   
10. Caring for your Baby (Copyright © ACNM) - This factsheet offers new mothers tips on caring for their babies including breastfeeding, common problems for babies, ABC's of breastfeeding, circumcision and bonding, and keeping your baby close.
    
    
11. Effective Breastfeeding (Copyright © UUHSC) - This on-line resource has information to offer on what is effective breastfeeding including, feeding positions and deep latch on.
    
    
12. Effective Sucking (Copyright © UUHSC) - This on-line resource has information to offer on breastfeeding and effective sucking, including what mother's should be listening for during feeding and how long the newborn should nurse before self-detachment.
    
    
13. Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (Copyright © URI) - This on-line resource contains detailed information on the benefits of breastfeeding including, getting started, challenges and concerns, storing the breast milk, nutrition during lactation, information for father's and additional resources on breastfeeding.
    
    
14. Got Mom... (Copyright © ACNM) - GotMom.org was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives to provide breastfeeding information and resources for mothers and families. It contains information on why breast milk is best, dispels common misunderstandings about breastfeeding, provides a list of resources that can help women and families breastfeed, information for employers and links to the latest research findings.
    
    
15. High Risk Newborn: Moving Toward Breastfeeding (Copyright © UUHSC) - This breastfeeding guide contains information in assisting mothers make their decision about moving forward with breastfeeding. It includes signs of a baby getting ready for breastfeeding, stages in breastfeeding progression, helpful hints for beginning to breastfeed, breastfeeding high-risk newborns, and hints for breastfeeding at home and relaxation techniques for mothers.
    
    
16. Ineffective Latch-On or Sucking (Copyright © UUHSC) - This on-line resource offers information on ineffective latch on and sucking during breastfeeding. It also offers information on what one can do to help with the breastfeeding process and other ways to help the baby with ineffective sucking.
    
    
17. Nutrition and Your Health (Copyright © NNH) - This breastfeeding guide contains information on breastfeeding such as understanding breastfeeding supply and demand, pre-delivery planning, benefits, learning to tell when all is well with your baby, cold facts on breast milk storage, knowing your baby's sign language, positioning, questions and answers about breastfeeding, fast facts, breastfeeding web link and CNRC Research updates.
    
    
18. Weaning Your Breast-fed Baby (Copyright © CWRU) - This fact sheet has information to offer on weaning your baby off the breast. It includes when to wean, how to wean, what happens if the breast becomes engorged or uncomfortable, feelings you may have while weaning, sudden weaning, nursing strike and coaxing the baby back to the breast after a nursing strike.
    
    

Organizations

1. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
   
   
2. American Academy of Family Physicians
   
   
3. American Academy of Pediatrics
   
   
4. American College of Nurse-Midwives
   
   
5. Healthy People... Healthy Communities, National Network for Health (NNH)
   
   
6. International Boad of Lactation Consultant Examiners
   
   
7. International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
   
   
8. La Leche League International
   
   
9.   Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA, HHS
   
   
10.   National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health, MCHB, HRSA, HHS
    
    
11. National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
    
    
12.   National Women's Health Information Center, OWH, HHS
    
    
13. Nursing Mothers Counsel, Inc
    
    
14. Proyecto Lacta
    
    
15. University of Utah Health Sciences Center
    
    
16. Wellstart International
    
    
17. World Alliance For Breastfeeding Action
    
    

= Indicates Federal Resources