Breastfeeding and Nutrition Tips for Healthy Breast Milk

Breastfeeding
Your breasts start getting ready to produce milk in the first few weeks of your pregnancy. Sometimes women think if they have small breasts, they will not be able to breastfeed, but that is not true. Women with small breasts can breastfeed just as well as women with large breasts.

The science of breastfeeding: How your breasts make milk your breasts have mammary glands that make milk. Hormones cause cells in these glands to push the milk into milk ducts in your breasts and under the areola. When your baby’s gums press on your areola, milk is released.

A healthy start in life Breast milk has natural antibodies that help protect your baby
from illness. The first milk your breasts produce is called colostrum. It is thick and yellow, but after a few days, it will change color and look more like milk. Your baby knows what to do Just like your body knows how to grow a baby, your baby knows
how to breastfeed. It comes naturally to him. Offer him your breast an hour or two after giving birth. Your first breast fluid is colostrum, which is rich in antibodies and proteins (and exactly the right food to start your baby off in a healthy way). Because it is thicker, there is less of it than you will produce later on.

Don’t worry! It is very rare that a woman’s breasts don’t produce enough milk for her baby. If you have any doubts, ask your health care provider at your baby’s next appointment.

Nutrition Tips for Healthy Breast Milk
Eat a healthy diet.
Eat about 500 extra healthy calories a day. It takes more calories to make breast milk.
Drink lots of fluids, especially water.
Limit drinks with caffeine.
Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take street drugs.
Check with your provider before taking any medications.
Get some exercise.
Get as much rest as you can

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. But if that is not possible, ask your baby’s health care provider to tell you which infant formula would be best for your baby.

Mix and store formula safely:
Use only sterilized bottles and nipples.
Follow directions carefully when mixing formula.
Do not water down formula.
Store mixed formula in the refrigerator and use within 48 hours. Do not keep half-finished bottles. Bacteria can grow in them.
To warm a bottle of formula, put it in a pot of water and heat it on the stove. It must be warm but not hot.