Breastfeed Your Baby

50 Breastfeed Your Baby Getting Ready for Your Baby, Nutrition and Physical Activity Nutrition and Physical Activity, Babies and Toddlers 4/26/2013 11:53:23 AM http://www.healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/glmedia/icons/breastfeedyourbaby.jpg woman breastfeeding her newborn http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/pregnancy/getting-ready-for-your-baby/breastfeed-your-baby Stay Active During Pregnancy: Quick tips http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-and-diseases/obesity/stay-active-during-pregnancy-quick-tips tool Eat Healthy During Pregnancy: Quick tips http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/pregnancy/nutrition-and-physical-activity/eat-healthy-during-pregnancy-quick-tips tool Have a Healthy Pregnancy http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/pregnancy/doctor-and-midwife-visits/have-a-healthy-pregnancy topic Talk with Your Doctor about Newborn Screening http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/pregnancy/doctor-and-midwife-visits/talk-with-your-doctor-about-newborn-screening topic Eat Healthy While Breastfeeding: Quick tips http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/nutrition-and-physical-activity/eat-healthy-while-breastfeeding-quick-tips tool Make the Most of Your Baby’s Visit to the Doctor (Ages 0 to 11 months) http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/doctor-visits/make-the-most-of-your-babys-visit-to-the-doctor-ages-0-to-11-months topic

The Basics Breastfeeding is healthy for you and your baby. Breastfeed your baby for the first 6 to 12 months, if you can. Try hard to breastfeed your baby for the first 6 to 12 months after birth. Breastfeeding is very healthy for you and your baby.If you have a health condition or are taking any medicines, talk with your doctor or midwife about breastfeeding before your baby is born.To learn more:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-to-breastfeed/" >Learning to Breastfeed</a></li><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide/BreastfeedingGuide-AfricanAmerican-English.pdf" >Breastfeeding Guide for African American Women and Their Families [PDF - 1 MB]</a></li></ul>What are the benefits of breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is a healthy choice for both you and your baby.Benefits for baby Breast milk:<ul ><li>Has just the right amount of protein, fat, sugar, and water to help your baby grow</li><li>Helps protect your baby from infection and illness</li><li>Is usually easier for babies to digest than formula</li></ul>Benefits for mom Breastfeeding:<ul ><li>Gives you and your baby time to be close, get to know each other, and bond</li><li>Can save your family thousands of dollars</li><li>Burns calories and may help you lose some of your pregnancy weight</li><li>May help lower your risk of diabetes, depression, and some types of breast and ovarian cancers</li></ul>When is my baby ready to eat other foods? <ul > <li>From birth to age 6 months: <ul> <li>Feed your baby breast milk only (no water, no juice, no nonhuman milk, and no foods).</li> <li>It’s okay to give your baby vitamins, minerals, and medicine that your doctor recommends.</li> </ul> </li> <li>From ages 6 months to 12 months: <ul> <li>Keep breastfeeding your baby.</li> <li>You can start feeding your baby cereal or other baby food, like mashed fruit.</li> </ul> </li> <li>For age 12 months and up: <ul> <li>Continue to feed your baby new foods that are recommended by your doctor.</li> <li>If you can, keep breastfeeding.</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Take Action! If you are going to be away from your baby, ask your doctor or midwife how you can plan to supply breast milk. Here are some tips for breastfeeding success.Talk to your doctor or midwife about breastfeeding. While you are pregnant, tell your doctor or midwife that you plan to breastfeed.Many health centers, clinics, and hospitals have lactation (breastfeeding) experts to answer all your questions and help you get started. These experts are usually called lactation counselors, consultants, or specialists.After you begin breastfeeding, you may still have questions. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or lactation counselor as often as you need to.What about cost? Some help to support breastfeeding is covered under the <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/preventive-care/index.html" >Affordable Care Act</a>, the health care reform law passed in 2010. This help includes counseling and access to breastfeeding supplies for pregnant and nursing women.Depending on your insurance, you may be able to get help with breastfeeding at no cost to you. Talk to your insurance company to find out what this means for you.<a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html" >For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov</a>.Make a plan for after your baby is born. If you plan to go to work after pregnancy, a lactation counselor can help you plan to keep providing breast milk for your baby while you are away.Talk to your supervisor about where you can pump and store your breast milk at work. Most employers are required by law to give you time and a place to pump milk for your baby.Get more information about:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-milk-storage/" >Pumping and storing your breast milk</a></li><li><a href="http://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/">Your rights at work</a></li></ul>Try to nurse your baby right away. Tell your doctor, midwife, or nurse that you want to breastfeed within 1 hour of your baby’s birth. After the first hour, your baby will be sleepy. At first, your milk will be yellow. This is called colostrum (“coh-LOSS-trum”), and it’s very good for your baby. Your regular milk will come in after a couple of days, and your breasts will feel full. Nurse your baby whenever he wants to eat. Newborn babies need to nurse often (about every 2 hours). Watch your baby for signs of hunger, such as: <ul> <li>Moving his head from side to side (called rooting) </li> <li>Being more alert </li> <li>Acting fussy </li> </ul>Put your nipple as far back in the baby’s mouth as you can. Nurse with the nipple and the brown area around the nipple (called the areola) in the baby’s mouth. This will make you more comfortable.<a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-to-breastfeed/#e" >Try out these different breastfeeding positions</a>.Ask for help if breastfeeding is difficult. Breastfeeding is natural, but it isn’t always easy. It may take time and practice for you and your baby to get it right. Some women may experience problems with breastfeeding at first, but these problems can usually be solved.Talk to your doctor, nurse, or lactation counselor if you have pain in your nipples or any other problems. Ask for help so that you and your baby get the most from breastfeeding.<ul ><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/common-challenges/" >Find out how to deal with common breastfeeding challenges</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-and-everyday-life/handling-stress.cfm" >Get tips on managing stress with a new baby</a>.</li></ul>Eat healthy. If you are breastfeeding, eating healthy will help you and your baby get the nutrients you need. <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=59">Get tips on eating healthy while breastfeeding</a>.Give your baby vitamin D. Babies need vitamin D for healthy bone growth. Even if you take extra vitamin D, your breast milk won’t provide enough vitamin D for your baby. Talk to your baby’s doctor or nurse about how to make sure your baby gets enough vitamin D.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/newdads_breastfeeding.html">Find out how dad can help with breastfeeding</a>. </li><li>Talk to your doctor or midwife about breastfeeding.</li><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-to-breastfeed/#e" >Try these breastfeeding positions</a>.</li></ul>

The Basics Talk with your doctor or midwife about newborn screening before your baby is born. Newborn screenings are tests that find diseases or disorders in newborn babies. Most tests are done before your baby leaves the hospital. Newborn screenings will help you make sure your baby grows up healthy. With a simple blood test, doctors can tell whether or not your baby has certain diseases or disorders. Talk about newborn screening with your doctor or midwife before your baby is born.What tests will my baby need? Most states require newborn screening. But the number and types of tests are different in each state. Depending on your family health history, you may want to ask for extra tests.Here are some examples of conditions that can be found early with newborn screening tests.Thyroid disorder The thyroid is a gland in the neck that makes hormones. It’s important to find and treat thyroid disorder early to prevent problems with growth and development.PKU (Phenylketonuria) Babies with PKU can’t process certain foods and must be fed special formula. PKU can cause mental retardation if it’s not treated early.Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is a serious blood disorder. It can be watched and treated if it’s found early.Hearing loss Finding out early if your baby has hearing loss can prevent problems with speech and language. If your hospital doesn’t test for hearing loss, make sure to have your baby’s hearing checked within the first month.How are the tests done? Most newborn screening tests use a few drops of blood taken from the heel of your baby’s foot. The same blood can be used to test for many different diseases. These tests don’t cause any harm or risk to the baby. A hearing test uses a small microphone or earphone to check how your baby responds to sounds. For more information, <a href="http://mchb.hrsa.gov/pregnancyandbeyond/newbornscreening/" >visit The Parent’s Guide to Newborn Screening</a>.

Take Action! Find out which tests are offered at the hospital where your baby will be born. If you are pregnant, it’s time to find out about newborn screening.Find out which tests your hospital offers. Talk with your doctor or midwife about newborn screening. Find out which screening tests are offered at the hospital where your baby will be born.If your baby isn’t born at a hospital, he still needs to get screened. Take your baby to a hospital or clinic to get checked within a few days of his birth.<ul ><li><a href="http://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/states" >See which screening tests are offered in your state</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/international/relres.html" >Contact your state health department</a> to ask about required newborn screening.</li></ul>What about cost? Some newborn screening tests are covered under the <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/preventive-care/index.html" >Affordable Care Act</a>, the health care reform law passed in 2010. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get your baby screened at no cost to you.Check with your insurance provider to find out what’s included in your plan. <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html" >For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov</a>.If you don’t have insurance, you can still get medical care for yourself and your baby. The toll-free telephone numbers below will connect you to the health department in your area code. Ask them about free care.<ul ><li>For information in English, call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229).</li><li>For information in Spanish, call 1-800-504-7081.</li></ul>Follow up. Ask your doctor when you will get the test results. Some tests may need to be repeated after 1 or 2 weeks, especially if you leave the hospital before your baby is 24 hours old. Make a plan with your doctor.<a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics//prevention/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=89">Schedule well-baby checkups</a>. Most babies have their first checkup within the first few days of birth. A well-baby visit is when you take your baby to the doctor for a full checkup, separate from any other visit for sickness or injury.Well-baby visits are an important part of keeping your child healthy.Start building your child’s health record now. Keep track of your baby’s test results and shots. Keep medical information in a safe place – you will need it for child care, school, and other activities.Your family’s health history is an important part of your baby’s health record. <a href="https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/home.action" >Use this family health history tool</a> to keep track of your family’s health. Keep a copy with your baby’s other health information.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/newbornscreening/htm/index.htm" >Watch this short presentation on newborn screening</a>.</li><li>If you have health insurance, find out which newborn screening tests are covered.</li><li><a href="http://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/states" >Find out which newborn screenings your state requires</a>. </li></ul>

The Basics Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing lead. Most lead poisoning comes from paint in homes built before 1978. Take steps to protect your family from lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing lead. Most lead poisoning comes from paint in homes built before 1978.Who is at risk for lead poisoning? Children under age 6 and pregnant women are most at risk.<ul ><li>When children are young, their bodies are still growing and are more sensitive to the harmful effects of lead.</li><li>If a pregnant woman has too much lead in her body, it can increase her risk for miscarriage (losing the baby). Lead can also pass from the mother to her baby.</li></ul>There are no signs or symptoms of lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can lead to learning and behavior problems. Some of the effects of lead poisoning may never go away.How do kids get lead poisoning? Paint in homes built before 1978 often has lead in it. When old paint cracks and chips, it creates lead dust. Children get lead poisoning from breathing in or swallowing dust on their hands and toys.Lead can also be found in the soil around your home, drinking water, and products with old paint, like toys, furniture, and jewelry.<a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/hotspot.html" >If your home was built before 1978, use this Home Danger Zone Finder tool to see which spots in your home could contain lead</a>.Keep your family safe from lead. Take these steps to <a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadpdfe.pdf" >keep your family safe [PDF - 674 KB]</a>:<ul ><li>Keep kids and pregnant women away from chipping or peeling lead paint.</li><li>Wash your child’s hands and toys often.</li><li>If you live in an older home, have your home tested for lead paint.</li><li>Ask a doctor to test your child for lead.</li></ul>To learn more about preventing lead poisoning:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm" >Check out these lead poisoning prevention tips</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.html" >Contact the National Lead Information Center</a> at 1-800-424-LEAD (1-800-424-5323).</li></ul>

Take Action! Keep children away from chipping or peeling paint. You can help protect your family from lead poisoning by taking these simple steps.Keep children away from lead dust. If you live in an older home (built before 1978), treat all paint as if it has lead in it. Follow these tips to keep kids from breathing in or swallowing lead:<ul ><li>Keep children away from rooms with chipping or peeling paint.</li><li>Cover peeling or chipping paint with duct tape or contact paper.</li><li>Use a wet paper towel or mop to clean up dust regularly, especially around windows and floors.</li></ul>Renovate safely. If you are doing any home remodeling or repairs, be sure to <a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/rrpamph.pdf" >follow lead-safe work practices [PDF - 3 MB]</a>. Keep pregnant women and children away from the work area.Wash your child’s hands and toys. Lead dust from chipping and peeling paint can get on children’s toys and hands. Wash toys and hands often, especially before eating and sleeping.<a href="http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=770473" >Play this podcast on Happy Handwashing for your child</a>.Test your home for lead. If you live in a home built before 1978, have your home inspected (tested) for lead paint by a licensed lead inspector .Also ask the inspector about testing your soil and water.For more information, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyHomes/programs.html" >contact your state’s Healthy Homes program</a>. The Healthy Homes program may be able to inspect your home for lead at no cost to you.What if I rent my home? Ask your landlord to have your home tested for lead. Your local health department can give you information about your landlord’s responsibilities.Test your child for lead. There are no signs or symptoms of lead poisoning. A lead test is the only way to know for sure if your child has lead poisoning.A lead test measures the amount of lead in your child’s blood. If you are worried about lead poisoning, ask your child’s doctor or nurse to test your child for lead.<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tools/5things.pdf" >If your child has a high lead level, find out 5 things you can do to help lower it [PDF – 190 KB]</a>.What about cost? Medicaid covers lead screening for children at ages 12 and 24 months.For families with private insurance, lead screening for children at high risk of exposure to lead is covered under the <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/preventive-care/index.html" >Affordable Care Act</a>, the health care reform law passed in 2010.Check with your insurance provider to find out what’s included in your plan. <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html" >For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov</a>.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li>Find out if your home was built before 1978.</li><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyHomes/programs.html" >Ask your state’s Healthy Homes program if they do free lead testing</a>.</li><li>Wipe your shoes before entering your home.</li></ul>

The Basics Knowing basic first aid can help you deal with injuries and emergencies. Do you know what to do in an emergency? What if someone has a heart attack or gets stung by a bee?An accident or emergency can happen at any time. Giving first aid is what you can do to help someone before medical help arrives. Taking action right away can help save a life.<ul ><li>Learn when to call 911.</li><li>Learn how to help someone who is choking.</li><li>Take a class to learn first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). CPR is a way to help when someone’s heart or breathing has stopped by providing chest compressions.</li><li>Keep a first aid kit in your house and your car.</li></ul>Find out more about:<ul><li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/firstaid.html" >First aid</a></li><li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cpr.html" >CPR</a></li></ul>

Take Action! Sign up for a first aid class in your community. Plan ahead for injuries and emergencies.Learn when to call 911. Call 911 when you need help right away. Call 911 if someone is seriously hurt, stops breathing, or if there is a fire. Don’t call 911 for things like a flat tire.<ul ><li><a href="http://www.911.gov/whencall.html" >Get more information on when to call 911</a>.</li><li><a href="http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/911.html" >Teach your children how to use 911</a>, and keep the number next to the phone.</li></ul>Learn what to do when someone is choking. When someone is choking on food or a small object, it’s important to act right away. You can press your fist against a person’s stomach to force out whatever is causing that person to choke. This is called the Heimlich (“HIME-lik”) maneuver.<ul ><li><a href="http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/videodemo/choking-adult-video.html" >Watch this video on how to do the Heimlich maneuver</a>. <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/../aboutus/disclaimer.aspx"> <img alt="External Links Disclaimer Logo" border="0" height="10" src="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/../images/exit_disclaimer.png" width="10" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001983.htm" >Find out how to do the Heimlich maneuver on yourself if you are alone and choking</a>.</li></ul>Take a first aid and CPR class. Taking a class will teach you how to give first aid and CPR correctly. This training will help you respond quickly and safely in emergencies.<a href="http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class" >Find a first aid and CPR class in your community</a>. <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/../aboutus/disclaimer.aspx"> <img alt="External Links Disclaimer Logo" border="0" height="10" src="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/../images/exit_disclaimer.png" width="10" /></a>Keep a first aid kit in your house and your car. A first aid kit has the things you need to treat someone who is hurt. It includes supplies like bandages, tape, and scissors. It’s a good idea to have one kit for the house and one for the car.Make sure each first aid kit has directions on how to treat basic injuries and when to get more help. After you use your kit, remember to replace the supplies.<a href="http://home.fema.gov/plan/prepare/firstaid.shtm" >Use this list to check the supplies in your first aid kits</a>.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/first-aid-cuts-scrapes-and-stitches.printerview.all.html" >Put these instructions for treating cuts, scrapes, and stitches in your first aid kit</a>. </li><li><a href="http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/nosebleeds_sheet.html" >Find out how to treat a nosebleed</a>. </li><li><a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart.htm#travelhealthkit" >Know what to pack in your first aid kit when you travel [PDF - 578 KB]</a>. </li></ul>