• Mother’s milk is a Nature’s gift. This elixir of life has all components of nutrition, immunology and development
• Mother’s milk should be a baby’s first taste
• Mother’s milk is complete food for newborns and perfectly satisfies baby’s nutritional & fluid needs for the first 6 months
• Nutritional composition of breast milk changes as the baby’s nutritional needs change, even within a single feeding
• Mother’s milk is easily digestible, hence no constipation & colic
• Only Mother’s milk contains Colostrum, which serves as the baby’s first immunization
• Colostrum contains antibodies which helps to protect the baby from disease
• Colostrum has a mild laxative effect, expelling meconium and helping to prevent jaundice

• Breastfeeding should be initiated as early as possible preferably within an hour of birth
• The newborn is very active & alert during first hour of life & then goes to sleep. The baby has very strong suckling reflex at this time
• It stimulates oxytocin & prolactin reflex which leads to breast milk production

Breastfeeding is good for mother & good for baby. It offers numerous benefits to both of them.

Breastfeeding – Good for Baby

• All infants should be exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months
• The baby receives adequate nutrients and antibodies necessary for healthy growth through breastfeeding
• The average breastfed baby doubles its birth weight in 5 – 6 months
• Exclusively breastfed children are at a much lower risk of developing many disorders of heart, GI tract, Respiratory tract and metabolism
• Breastfeeding helps babies develop proper speech and facial movement as per milestone standards
• Breastfeeding enhances brain development & Intelligent Quotient (IQ) of the baby
• Breastfed baby is completely free from Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Breastfeeding strengthens the special bond between mother & baby

• Breastfeeding stimulates Oxytocin hormone that cause uterus to contract and return to normal size
• Reduces chances of postpartum haemorrhage
• Helps in reducing weight faster without restricting calories
• Breastfeeding delays return of the fertility cycle thereby giving adequate space for next pregnancy
• Reduces risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis
• Breastfeeding aids maternal, physical and emotional health. Mothers who successfully breastfeed are less likely to develop postpartum depression
• Breastfeeding helps the mother to feel the joy of motherhood

• An infant’s stomach is small and needs to be refilled often
• Babies should be fed 8 – 12 times per 24 hours, every 2 – 3 hours or more frequently if needed, especially in the early months

• Correct breastfeeding position helps effective milk transfer from mother to baby
• This also helps to prevent breastfeeding problems like nipple pain, sore nipples or mastitis which may lead to discontinuation of breastfeeding at latter time

Correct Positions	Incorrect Positions