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Prepare before your baby is born
- Talk to your healthcare provider
- Attend classes through your hospital or WIC
- Build a support team – your health care provider, lactation professional, peer support group, home health nurses and WIC clinic may be available to support you!
Provide a good start in the first days
- Breastfeed or chestfeed within the first hour after the baby is born. If the baby does not latch in the first hour, hand express colostrum, your first milk
- Hold your baby skin to skin in the first days and beyond.
- Let baby set the pace and feeding schedule – follow their cues.
- Feed baby at least 8-12 times a day.
- Your milk only (unless baby needs supplementation for medical reasons) and let others know. Avoid bottles or pacifiers until breastfeeding or chestfeeding is consistent.
- Lean on your support network.
