Exclusive Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding means feeding a baby only breast milk, except for vitamins and medicines as told by a health care provider. It is recommended that babies be exclusively fed breast milk for the first 6 months of life.

Breastfeeding should continue past 6 months of age. After your baby is 6 months old, you should breastfeed and also offer your child age-appropriate solid foods. It is recommended to breastfeed until the baby is 2 years of age or older, as long as this is wanted by both the breastfeeding parent and child.

There may be struggles with exclusive breastfeeding, but reaching out for support early will help maintain your milk supply. Exclusive breast milk feeding has many benefits for you and your baby. Ask your provider or breastfeeding specialist (lactation consultant) for more information and help if needed.

How does breastfeeding benefit me?

Whether you put your baby to breast, or pump breast milk for bottle-feeding, feeding breast milk to a baby may:

• Help to create a special bond between you and your baby.
• Slow bleeding after you give birth.
• Help your uterus return to its size before pregnancy.
• Help you lose weight gained during pregnancy.
• Lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer later in life.

How does breastfeeding benefit my baby?

Nutrients in breast milk are better for your baby compared to nutrients in infant formula. Breast milk is also easier for your baby to digest. As your baby grows, your body changes the nutrients in your breast milk to meet your baby's needs.

• The first milk (colostrum) helps your baby's digestive system function better.
• Breast milk feeding lowers the risk of:
  • Problems with the stomach and intestines. This includes necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in newborns. NEC is the inflammation and death of tissue in the intestine. Babies born early (premature)are at a higher risk of developing NEC.
  • Infections of the nose, throat, or airways (respiratory infections).
  • Allergies.
  • Obesity.
  • Diabetes.
• Breast milk improves your baby's brain development.
• Breast milk lowers your baby's risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

What are breast milk antibodies?

Breast milk antibodies are substances that are a part of the body's disease-fighting system (immune system). Antibodies help your baby fight off infections. Breast milk antibodies protect your baby from illnesses that you have:

• Had yourself.
• Been vaccinated against.
• Been exposed to while breastfeeding or pumping breast milk.

What actions can I take to help with breastfeeding?

If you work outside the home or if you are having trouble breastfeeding, it may be hard to continue exclusive breastfeeding directly from the breast. You can make sure your baby continues to receive only breast milk if you pump (express) breast milk and offer it by bottle.

If you decide to bottle-feed:

• Pump after feedings and store breast milk.
• Continue to offer your baby breast milk by using a breast pump to keep up your milk supply.
• Offer only breast milk in a bottle.

Tips for exclusive breast milk feeding

• Work with a lactation consultant to find positions, equipment, and strategies that work best for you and your baby.
• Make sure your baby is getting enough milk by counting their wet diapers and bowel movements. Signs that your baby is getting enough milk include:
  • Wetting 6–8 diapers every 24 hours as your baby grows.
  • Making 3 poops(stools) in a 24-hour period as your baby grows. The poops should be soft and yellow.
• Avoid giving your baby infant formula, water, or solid food before they are 6 months old, unless told to do that by your provider.
• Feed your baby on demand. This means feeding anytime your baby shows signs of hunger or you need to reduce the fullness of your breasts. Doing this can help to keep up your milk supply.
• Make sure your baby is gaining a healthy amount of weight. Talk with your provider or lactation consultant about how much weight your baby should be gaining.

Questions to ask your health care provider or lactation specialist

• Is exclusive breastfeeding right for me?
• What support is available to help me in exclusive breastfeeding or feeding my baby only breast milk?

Where to find support

You can find support through:

• Health care providers and lactation specialists. They can help by:
  • Giving you information about where you can get supplies such as nursing bras or clothing and breast pumps.
  • Sharing feeding basics with you, such as effective positions for breastfeeding.
  • Working through feeding challenges with you.
• Education programs to help you prepare for breastfeeding before your baby is born. These include classes, videos, and support by phone.

Where to find more information:

• La Leche League International: llli.org
• CDC: cdc.gov
• Office on Women's Health: womenshealth.gov

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have become frustrated with breastfeeding.
• You are worried your baby is not getting enough milk. Signs of not getting enough milk include:
  • Your baby is not gaining weight or loses weight.
  • Your baby is more than 1 week old and wetting fewer than 6 diapers in a 24-hour period.
• Your baby is frequently too sleepy to feed well or is crying and will not stop.
• You have pain or discomfort in your breasts, such as:
  • Continued pain with breastfeeding.
  • Breasts being too full of milk (engorgement) that does not improve after 48–72 hours.
  • Cracking or soreness in your nipples that does not get better with treatment.
  • Bleeding from your nipples.
• You have signs of an infection, such as:
  • A fever.
  • Pus-like fluid coming from your nipple.
  • Warm, red areas on your breasts.