Marshall University Department of Family and Community Health

• Watch for good weight gain, urine output and sleeping after feeding
• If you have questions, ask your doctor

• This is often more of a problem early on, and tends to get better
• Use lotion on nipples and breasts to avoid cracking of skin
• Use pump several times a day instead of baby early on if painful

• This is a common problem, and usually cannot be helped
• Use bra pads regularly to cut down on the wetness

• This is when the breasts are full of milk and swollen
• It occurs often the first week or so into breastfeeding
• Use a breast pump or hands to express milk between feedings
• Talk with your doctor about pain medicines to use
• Sometimes a good bra that gives support helps

• This is usually an infection of the breast tissue
• It is where part of the breast is usually red, painful and warm
• You can still feed baby, as the milk itself is not infected
• Often, antibiotics are needed, so talk to your doctor quickly

• This is where you start to get the baby to stop breastfeeding
• It is best to wait until at least 6 months, and even better, 12 months old
• Start by exchanging one breastfeeding every 2 or 3 days with a cup, bottle or baby food instead
• Over two or three weeks, get to the point that there is only 1 or 2 breast feedings per day, with all the other feedings from a cup or bottle
• Leave the bedtime feeding for last, and finally stop that one too
• Use a tight fitting bra to help with breast pain and swelling

 

Why Breastfeed?

Breastfeeding Timeline

Breastfeeding Techniques

When NOT to Breastfeed