Breastfeeding is important for you and your baby.

Today most babies are breastfed. And as more Canadians understand how important breastfeeding is for the health of mothers and babies, more people are supporting mothers to breastfeed for longer, up to 2 years and more.

Here are 10 great reasons to breastfeed your baby:

1. Perfect nutrition
Breast milk is the best food to help your baby grow and develop. It is custom-made by each mother for her own baby. Breast milk has the perfect amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, and is easy to digest.

2. Protection
Breast milk helps your baby fight off sickness and disease. After birth, the first milk your breasts make is called colostrum. It helps to stop harmful germs that can make your baby sick. Colostrum does this by coating your baby's digestive system so that germs have no place to grow. This protection is even more important if your baby is born early (premature).

Breastfeeding helps reduce the chance your baby will:

• have diarrhea, ear infections or lung infections
• die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• be overweight or obese when they are older

3. Brain power
Research shows that children who were breastfed score higher on intelligence (IQ) tests. They may even stay in school longer and earn more money as adults.

4. Ready and portable
Breast milk is always fresh and exactly the right temperature. It is ready for your baby whenever they are ready to eat. You do not have to heat it, boil water or sterilize bottles. This makes feedings so much easier!
Since breast milk is always with you, travelling or shopping with your baby is easier.

5. Size does not matter
The size of your breasts does not matter. Big or small, your breasts will make enough milk for your baby. Breasts start to get ready for baby very early in pregnancy. Your breasts can make colostrum once you are in your second trimester.
As soon as your baby is born, hormones tell your breasts to start making more milk. Your breasts will make as much milk as your baby needs. The more your baby breastfeeds – the more milk you will make!

6. Good for mothers too
Research shows that breastfeeding can protect mothers from many diseases such as:

• breast and ovarian cancer
• diabetes
• heart disease

Your body uses energy to make milk, so breastfeeding can help you to lose weight that you gained during pregnancy.
Exclusive breastfeeding (feeding your baby only your breast milk) may also delay the return of your periods for at least a little while. It is important to know that you can still get pregnant even if your periods do not start.

7. Builds a special bond
The closeness and comfort of breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby. It is one of the many things you can do to build a secure and loving relationship. Cuddling your baby can help your baby be more trusting and confident as they grow older.

8. Advantages continue as baby grows
Breast milk is so complete, it is the only food or drink your baby needs for the first 6 months. As your baby grows, your breast milk will change to keep up with your baby's needs.
From about 6 months of age, your baby will need a variety of healthy foods as well as breast milk. But breast milk continues to be an important source of nutrition and protection for your baby. Breastfeeding is recommended for up to two years or more, or for as long as you and your baby want to. Any amount of breast milk that you can give your baby is good!

9. Good for the planet
Breastfeeding is good for your baby, for you and for the environment. Breast milk is made and delivered right to your baby - without any processing, chemical preservatives, packaging or waste.

10. Easy on the budget
Breastfeeding saves you money. Having a baby can be expensive, so it is nice to know that breastfeeding is not! Breastfeeding could save you hundreds - or even thousands - of dollars.

Ask for breastfeeding information and support
Learning to breastfeed can take time and patience. It is a skill that mother and baby learn together. Do not give up! There are many people and groups that can help you, including family members and friends who have breastfed.

_{Source: Public Health Agency of Canada - 10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed Your Baby}

^{This material has been reproduced or modified with the permission of Public Health Sudbury & Districts.}

How to feed your baby:

• Look for your baby's early signs of wanting to feed:
• rooting reflex – you will see your baby turn their head and open their mouth in search of food when you touch their mouth or cheek
• licking of lips
• putting their hands to their mouth - babies that have their hands free can show you easily that they are hungry

• Crying is a late hunger cue. A crying baby will need to be calmed before feeding.
• Sit or lie down comfortably. You might want to use pillows for support.  There are many breastfeeding positions, so find one that works for you. If you had a C-section, you may need help to get into a comfortable position.
• Relax your shoulders and bring your baby to your breast, rather than your breast to the baby.
• Hold your baby close, tummy to tummy, nose to nipple, chin to breast and bottom tucked in close to your body. Support your baby's neck and shoulders firmly without pushing the back of your baby's head - this can make your baby push away from the breast. 
• Learn how to express your milk by hand. A few drops of milk on your nipple will help to get your baby's attention to start feeding.
• For the first few weeks, you may need to support your breast with your hand when breastfeeding. Make sure your fingers are away from the areola (dark area).
• Rest your baby's chin on your breast, nose to nipple until your baby's mouth opens as big as a yawn and your baby moves their head back to take a big mouthful of your breast. You can also gently touch your baby's lips with your nipple until their mouth opens very wide.
• When your baby feeds, both lips should be rolled outwards. You will feel your baby suckling gently at first, and then stronger with a rhythm of one or two sucks per swallow, and little pauses to rest.
• When your baby stops suckling or comes off your breast, burp the baby and offer your other breast.
• If you need to take your baby off your breast, gently place a finger in the corner of the mouth until you break the suction.

A newborn's stomach is very small and cannot hold a large amount of milk. That is why the first milk your breasts make (colostrum) is very concentrated. It is also why babies want to feed often in the beginning.

This image below shows the average size of a newborn's stomach and how much milk it can hold:

_{Source: Public Health Agency of Canada - Ten Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding: How to Feed Your Baby}

Watch the baby, not the clock

Instead of timing feeds by the clock, look for your baby's early signs of wanting to feed:

• rooting
• licking lips
• putting hands to mouth

Babies need to eat often in the first few weeks: at least 8 or more times in 24 hours. This will help you to make more milk and will help your baby to gain back any weight they lose in their first few days. Night feeds are important! They help to get breastfeeding started and help your body to keep making milk.

Some babies prefer many short feeds while others like fewer, longer feeds. Do not rush your baby – take your time.

The first 4 to 6 weeks are a learning period while your body builds its milk supply and you learn your baby's cues. Time, patience and humour can all help!

_{Source: Public Health Agency of Canada - Ten Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding: Watch the Baby Not the Clock}

Look for signs that your baby is getting enough breast milk

A sign your baby is feeding well is that by day 6, they are having 6 or more wet diapers in 24 hours and are pooing often. Another sign is weight gain.  Many babies lose a bit of weight in their first few days then gain it back by the time they are about two weeks old.

Track your baby’s feeding frequency and output with Best Start's Signs that Feeding is Going Well chart.

_{Source: Public Health Agency of Canada - Ten Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding: Look for Signs that Your Baby is Getting Enough Breast Milk}

In the early days, try to rest when your baby sleeps. Accept or ask for help with housework and meals from your partner, family and friends.

Have visitors over only when you feel ready.

Eat healthy foods and drink when you feel thirsty. You may be extra thirsty, so try to have a glass of water every time your baby breastfeeds. See Canada's Food Guide for information on healthy eating.

Do something fun every day. Relax in the bath, take a walk with your baby, keep in touch with family and friends.

If your nipples hurt, make sure your baby has a good latch on your breast when feeding. (Please see the "How to Breastfeed" section above for more information.)

If your breasts are swollen and painful (engorged), apply warm compresses and gently massage your breast before breastfeeding to help the milk flow better. Expressing some milk before feeding and breastfeeding more often will help your breasts feel more comfortable. Between feedings, apply cold compresses on your breast to decrease swelling.

Discuss birth control with your doctor, nurse or midwife. Exclusive breastfeeding (feeding your baby only your breast milk) for the first 6 months may delay the return of your period, but it is important to know that you can still get pregnant even if your period has not started.

_{Source: Public Health Agency of Canada - Ten Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding: Looking After Mom}

Health Canada recommends giving all babies who are breastfed 400 IU (international units) per day.

Learn more at Caring for Kids - Vitamin D.

Nicotine, cannabis, alcohol, medication and other drugs pass into your breast milk, so the safest choice is to not use them if you breastfeed. There are also things you can do to decrease the risk to your baby.