This is a personal decision. You can choose to either breastfeed or bottle-feed exclusively, or a combination of both at different proportion or times. It is entirely up to you, and there is no right or wrong answer.
Breast milk has many advantages. If you choose to breastfeed exclusively, it is recommended to do so for the first 6 months of baby’s life and beyond for as long as you and your baby are comfortable with.
For baby:
For you:
Start within the first hour of birth
Skin-to-skin contact where you hold your baby against your bare skin right after birth encourages the start of breastfeeding. Try to room in with your baby as it will allow you to breastfeed easily.
Latch on
Cup your breast in your hand and stroke your baby’s lower lip with your nipple. Your baby will open his/her mouth – bring your baby close to your breast and aim your nipple towards the roof of your baby’s mouth.
The first breast milk you will produce is colostrum, which is yellow in colour and contains all the good stuff including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and antibodies. Over the next 2 weeks you will find that this slowly changes to mature breast milk.
Hungry babies usually look alert, bend their arms, close their fists, and bring their fingers or fists to their mouths. Offer your baby your breast when he/she starts bringing fingers to his/her mouth. Crying is a late sign of hunger and an unhappy baby will be difficult to soothe. When full, babies relax and close their eyes.
Breastfeed often
Breastfeed on demand – this will mean feeding at least 8-12 times in 24 hours, or at least every 2-3 hours. Many babies breastfeed for 10-15 minutes on each breast, sometimes longer. When your baby releases one breast, offer the other. If your baby is not interested, start on this other breast for the next feed.
Troubleshoot breastfeeding
Nobody starts off as an expert in breastfeeding – it is something that takes time to learn even if you have the necessary equipment. Do not be discouraged or take it personally! Help is readily available from lactation consultants, and there is no shame in asking for help. Don’t beat yourself up about it and try not to become too anxious.
You will need 450-500 extra calories to make breast milk for your baby. Keep well hydrated. Continue to take your prenatal multivitamins and calcium tablets while you are breastfeeding. Eat fish and seafood 2-3 times a week but avoid fish with high mercury levels e.g. swordfish, mackerel, tilefish, albacore tuna. Avoid caffeine especially in the beginning or if your baby is premature. If you take alcohol, wait for at least 2 hours after drinking before breastfeeding. Avoid smoking. If you prescribed medications, let your doctor know that you are breastfeeding.
Exclusive breastfeeding can technically act as birth control for the first 6 months, but it is not 100% protection. If you are doing mixed or combination feeding, your fertility will return earlier (maybe even before your periods resume).
Depending on the interval from your childbirth, many birth control methods can be used, including birth control pills, implanon, intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) etc. Your gynaecologist will be able to discuss these with you.
