Breastfeed Your Baby

50 Breastfeed Your Baby Getting Ready for Your Baby, Nutrition and Physical Activity Nutrition and Physical Activity, Babies and Toddlers 4/26/2013 11:53:23 AM http://www.healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/glmedia/icons/breastfeedyourbaby.jpg woman breastfeeding her newborn http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/pregnancy/getting-ready-for-your-baby/breastfeed-your-baby Stay Active During Pregnancy: Quick tips http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-and-diseases/obesity/stay-active-during-pregnancy-quick-tips tool Eat Healthy During Pregnancy: Quick tips http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/pregnancy/nutrition-and-physical-activity/eat-healthy-during-pregnancy-quick-tips tool Have a Healthy Pregnancy http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/pregnancy/doctor-and-midwife-visits/have-a-healthy-pregnancy topic Talk with Your Doctor about Newborn Screening http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/pregnancy/doctor-and-midwife-visits/talk-with-your-doctor-about-newborn-screening topic Eat Healthy While Breastfeeding: Quick tips http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/nutrition-and-physical-activity/eat-healthy-while-breastfeeding-quick-tips tool Make the Most of Your Baby’s Visit to the Doctor (Ages 0 to 11 months) http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/doctor-visits/make-the-most-of-your-babys-visit-to-the-doctor-ages-0-to-11-months topic

The Basics Breastfeeding is healthy for you and your baby. Breastfeed your baby for the first 6 to 12 months, if you can. Try hard to breastfeed your baby for the first 6 to 12 months after birth. Breastfeeding is very healthy for you and your baby.If you have a health condition or are taking any medicines, talk with your doctor or midwife about breastfeeding before your baby is born.To learn more:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-to-breastfeed/" >Learning to Breastfeed</a></li><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide/BreastfeedingGuide-AfricanAmerican-English.pdf" >Breastfeeding Guide for African American Women and Their Families [PDF - 1 MB]</a></li></ul>What are the benefits of breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is a healthy choice for both you and your baby.Benefits for baby Breast milk:<ul ><li>Has just the right amount of protein, fat, sugar, and water to help your baby grow</li><li>Helps protect your baby from infection and illness</li><li>Is usually easier for babies to digest than formula</li></ul>Benefits for mom Breastfeeding:<ul ><li>Gives you and your baby time to be close, get to know each other, and bond</li><li>Can save your family thousands of dollars</li><li>Burns calories and may help you lose some of your pregnancy weight</li><li>May help lower your risk of diabetes, depression, and some types of breast and ovarian cancers</li></ul>When is my baby ready to eat other foods? <ul > <li>From birth to age 6 months: <ul> <li>Feed your baby breast milk only (no water, no juice, no nonhuman milk, and no foods).</li> <li>It’s okay to give your baby vitamins, minerals, and medicine that your doctor recommends.</li> </ul> </li> <li>From ages 6 months to 12 months: <ul> <li>Keep breastfeeding your baby.</li> <li>You can start feeding your baby cereal or other baby food, like mashed fruit.</li> </ul> </li> <li>For age 12 months and up: <ul> <li>Continue to feed your baby new foods that are recommended by your doctor.</li> <li>If you can, keep breastfeeding.</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Take Action! If you are going to be away from your baby, ask your doctor or midwife how you can plan to supply breast milk. Here are some tips for breastfeeding success.Talk to your doctor or midwife about breastfeeding. While you are pregnant, tell your doctor or midwife that you plan to breastfeed.Many health centers, clinics, and hospitals have lactation (breastfeeding) experts to answer all your questions and help you get started. These experts are usually called lactation counselors, consultants, or specialists.After you begin breastfeeding, you may still have questions. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or lactation counselor as often as you need to.What about cost? Some help to support breastfeeding is covered under the <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/preventive-care/index.html" >Affordable Care Act</a>, the health care reform law passed in 2010. This help includes counseling and access to breastfeeding supplies for pregnant and nursing women.Depending on your insurance, you may be able to get help with breastfeeding at no cost to you. Talk to your insurance company to find out what this means for you.<a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html" >For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov</a>.Make a plan for after your baby is born. If you plan to go to work after pregnancy, a lactation counselor can help you plan to keep providing breast milk for your baby while you are away.Talk to your supervisor about where you can pump and store your breast milk at work. Most employers are required by law to give you time and a place to pump milk for your baby.Get more information about:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-milk-storage/" >Pumping and storing your breast milk</a></li><li><a href="http://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/">Your rights at work</a></li></ul>Try to nurse your baby right away. Tell your doctor, midwife, or nurse that you want to breastfeed within 1 hour of your baby’s birth. After the first hour, your baby will be sleepy. At first, your milk will be yellow. This is called colostrum (“coh-LOSS-trum”), and it’s very good for your baby. Your regular milk will come in after a couple of days, and your breasts will feel full. Nurse your baby whenever he wants to eat. Newborn babies need to nurse often (about every 2 hours). Watch your baby for signs of hunger, such as: <ul> <li>Moving his head from side to side (called rooting) </li> <li>Being more alert </li> <li>Acting fussy </li> </ul>Put your nipple as far back in the baby’s mouth as you can. Nurse with the nipple and the brown area around the nipple (called the areola) in the baby’s mouth. This will make you more comfortable.<a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-to-breastfeed/#e" >Try out these different breastfeeding positions</a>.Ask for help if breastfeeding is difficult. Breastfeeding is natural, but it isn’t always easy. It may take time and practice for you and your baby to get it right. Some women may experience problems with breastfeeding at first, but these problems can usually be solved.Talk to your doctor, nurse, or lactation counselor if you have pain in your nipples or any other problems. Ask for help so that you and your baby get the most from breastfeeding.<ul ><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/common-challenges/" >Find out how to deal with common breastfeeding challenges</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-and-everyday-life/handling-stress.cfm" >Get tips on managing stress with a new baby</a>.</li></ul>Eat healthy. If you are breastfeeding, eating healthy will help you and your baby get the nutrients you need. <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=59">Get tips on eating healthy while breastfeeding</a>.Give your baby vitamin D. Babies need vitamin D for healthy bone growth. Even if you take extra vitamin D, your breast milk won’t provide enough vitamin D for your baby. Talk to your baby’s doctor or nurse about how to make sure your baby gets enough vitamin D.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/newdads_breastfeeding.html">Find out how dad can help with breastfeeding</a>. </li><li>Talk to your doctor or midwife about breastfeeding.</li><li><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-to-breastfeed/#e" >Try these breastfeeding positions</a>.</li></ul>

The Basics Help your child stay at a healthy weight by balancing what your child eats with physical activity. Help your child – and your whole family – eat healthy and stay physically active. The healthy habits your child learns now can last a lifetime.What can I do to help my child stay at a healthy weight? Help your child stay at a healthy weight by balancing what your child eats with physical activity. Two of the best ways to prevent overweight and obesity in your child are to eat healthier foods and to get more active as a family.Parents are often the most important role models for children. When you eat right and are physically active, your child will be more likely to make these choices, too. Plus, getting active and eating healthy as a family will help you spend more quality time together.Why do I need to worry about my child’s weight? Americans are getting heavier. Today, most adults are overweight or obese. Children are becoming heavier, too.Overweight and obesity in children can lead to serious problems, like:<ul><li>Heart disease</li><li>Type 2 diabetes</li><li>Asthma</li><li>Sleep problems</li><li>Low self-esteem</li><li>Getting bullied</li></ul>Being overweight as a child increases the risk of being overweight or obese as an adolescent and young adult. In other words, many kids don’t “grow out of” being overweight.<a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/health-problems-and-childhood-obesity" >Learn more about health problems and childhood obesity</a>.Is my child at a healthy weight? Children grow at different rates, so it’s not always easy to tell if your child is at a healthy weight. Overweight is defined differently for children and teens than it is for adults.Ask your child’s doctor or nurse whether your child is at a healthy weight.What if my child is overweight or obese? Successful weight management programs for kids include counseling and education about eating a healthy diet and getting physically active. Parents have an important role to play in these programs, too.Talk to your child’s doctor or nurse for more information.

Take Action! Put at least 60 minutes (1 hour) of physical activity into your child’s day. Help your child make healthy choices.Ask the doctor to screen your child for obesity. Your child’s doctor or nurse can tell you if your child is at a healthy weight. If your child is overweight or obese, ask the doctor or nurse to help you find a weight-loss program for your child.Look for a weight-loss program that includes counseling to help kids:<ul ><li>Make healthy choices about food</li><li>Get more physical activity</li></ul>What about cost? Obesity screening and counseling are covered under the <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/preventive-care/index.html" >Affordable Care Act</a>, the health care reform law passed in 2010. Depending on your insurance plan, your child may be able to get these services at no cost to you.Check with your insurance provider to find out what’s included in your plan. <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html" >For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov</a>.Put at least 60 minutes (1 hour) of physical activity into your child’s day. It doesn’t have to be 60 minutes all at once – it can be shorter activities that add up to 1 hour a day. Fun activities that children do on their own are best. For example, playing tag is a great way to get moving.Be sure your child is doing different types of activity, including:<ul ><li>Aerobic activities, like running, skipping, or dancing</li><li>Muscle-strengthening activities, like climbing playground equipment or trees</li><li>Bone-strengthening activities, like jumping rope or playing basketball</li></ul><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/children.html" > Find out how much physical activity your child needs</a>.Make getting active a family project.<ul ><li>Let children pick family activities.</li><li>Try walking the dog or biking to the library together.</li><li><a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/Family_Calendar_1.pdf" >Post a family activity calendar [PDF - 148 KB]</a> on your refrigerator.</li><li><a href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm" >Find a park near you to explore</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/what-do" >Plan your next outdoor family activity</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.presidentschallenge.org/celebrate/active-lifestyle.shtml" >Sign up for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA+) challenge</a>. </li></ul><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/get-active/activity-plan.htm" >Get more ideas on how to increase your family’s daily activity</a>.Limit screen time. Keep inactive (sitting down) screen time to 2 hours or less a day for kids age 2 and older. Exercise TV shows or video games where your child moves around are a better choice than inactive screen time, but most of them do not count as physical activity time.<ul ><li>Set clear rules about when and for how long your child can watch TV, use the computer, and play video games.</li><li>Keep the TV out of your child’s room.</li><li><a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/Screen_Time_Log_1.pdf" >Use this screen time log [PDF - 118 KB]</a> to track how much time your family is spending in front of a screen.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/reduce-screen-time/tips-to-reduce-screen-time.htm" >Get more tips to limit screen time</a>.</li></ul>Shop, cook, and plan for healthy meals. Buy and serve more vegetables, fruits, and whole grain foods. Here are some tips and ideas:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/Grocery_List_1.pdf" >Make a shopping list with healthy foods [PDF - 285 KB]</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/eat-right/nutrition-facts.htm" >Read the nutrition label on packages to help you make healthy choices</a>.</li><li>Let your child pick out healthy foods to try.</li><li>Give children age 2 and older water or fat-free or low-fat milk instead of soda or juice. Children under age 2 can drink whole milk.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/eat-right/fun-family-recipes.htm" >Get tips on how to lower the calories and fat in family meals and snacks</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/preschoolers/healthy-habits/know-when-they-had-enough.html" >Help children know when they’ve had enough</a>. Give your kids a chance to stop eating when they feel full.</li></ul><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/eat-right/smart-food-shopping.htm" >Get more tips for smart food shopping</a>.<a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=21">Eat healthy</a>. You can be a role model for your child by making smart food choices. Plus, a healthy diet can help protect you from heart disease, some types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.Start the day with a good breakfast. Skipping breakfast can make kids hungry and tired, and it may lead them to snack on junk food later in the day. Give your kids whole-grain cereal with fat-free or low‑fat milk and fruit instead of sugary cereal.<a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=1">Make healthy snacks</a>. Snacks give kids important nutrients and help control hunger between meals.Sit at the table and eat together as a family. When families eat together, children eat more vegetables and fruits and less junk food. Plan healthy, affordable meals and enjoy them as a family. Let children help pick out healthy foods, prepare meals, and set the table.Make sure your child gets enough sleep. If kids don’t get enough sleep, they are at higher risk of being overweight or obese.<ul ><li>Teens need at least 9 hours of sleep each night.</li><li>School-aged and preschool children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep.</li><li>Newborns sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day.</li></ul>Set a bedtime schedule and remind your child when it’s time to get ready for bed. <a href="http://www.bblocks.samhsa.gov/family/showtell/sleep.aspx" >Get more tips on helping your child get enough sleep</a>.Share these Web sites with your kids. These safe Web sites can help children learn about healthy habits.<ul ><li><a href="http://www.bam.gov/index.html" >BAM! Body and Mind</a></li><li><a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/children-over-five.html" >MyPlate Blast Off Game</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bestbonesforever.gov/" >Best Bones Forever</a></li></ul>

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/hundredcalories.pdf" >Let your kids pick one of these healthy snacks [PDF - 168 KB]</a>.</li><li>Eat fresh fruit for dessert.</li><li><a href="http://womenshealth.gov/body-image/kids/" >Get ideas to help you teach your kids to have a healthy body image</a>.</li></ul>

The Basics Always wear a bike helmet and ride in the same direction as cars. Riding bikes is a great way for you to get active. Riding a bike can help you:<ul ><li>Get in shape</li><li>Lose weight</li><li>Lower your risk of health conditions like heart disease</li><li>Save money on gas</li><li>Spend time together as a family</li></ul>Follow these safety tips every time you ride.<ul ><li>Ride a bike that’s the right size for you.</li><li>Check the brakes before you ride.</li><li>Always wear a bike helmet.</li><li>Wear bright colors and reflective tape.</li><li>Ride in the same direction as cars.</li></ul>A bike crash could send you to the emergency room. The good news is that many bike injuries can be prevented. If you have kids, teach them these safety tips right from the start.

Take Action! Make sure your bike has reflectors on the front, back, and tires. Make safe biking a habit.Ride a bike that’s the right size for you. Riders of any age should be able to put one leg on each side of the top bar (tube) of their bike with both feet flat on the ground. Otherwise, the bike isn’t safe to ride.Check the brakes. Make sure the brakes are working before you ride.If you are choosing a bike for a child, choose one that brakes when the rider pedals backwards. Young children’s hands aren’t big enough or strong enough to use hand brakes.Always wear a bike helmet! Get in the “helmet habit” – wear a helmet every time and everywhere you ride a bike. A bike helmet is the best way to prevent injury or death from a bike crash.Make sure your helmet is certified. Look for a sticker on the inside that says “CPSC.” This means it’s been tested for safety.Bike helmets only protect you if you wear them the right way. Every time you put your helmet on, make sure that:<ul ><li>The helmet is flat on the top of your head</li><li>The helmet is covering the top of your forehead</li><li>The strap is buckled snugly under your chin</li></ul><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/EasyStepsWeb/index.htm" >Find out more about the right way to fit a bike helmet</a>.Kids grow quickly – check regularly to make sure their helmets still fit.Replace your helmet if you crash. Even if your helmet doesn’t look cracked or damaged, it might not protect you in another crash.Make sure people can see you easily. Drivers can have a hard time seeing bike riders, even during the day. Follow these tips to help drivers see you: <ul > <li>Wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors.</li> <li>Put something on your clothes or bike that reflects light, like reflective tape. </li> </ul> Try to plan ahead so your bike rides are over before it gets dark. If you are going to ride at night, here are some safety tips: <ul > <li>Make sure your bike has reflectors on the front, back, and tires.</li> <li>Put battery powered lights on your bike. A red light is for the back, and a white light is for the front – just like with cars.</li> </ul>Follow the “rules of the road.”<ul ><li>Look both ways before entering the street.</li><li>Ride in the same direction as the cars.</li><li>Stop at all stop signs and intersections.</li><li>Use hand signals to show others what you plan to do next.<ul><li>For a left turn, look behind you, hold your left arm straight out to the side, and turn carefully.</li><li>For a right turn, hold your left arm out and up in an “L” shape.</li><li>To signal that you are stopping, hold your left arm out and down in an upside-down “L” shape.</li></ul></li></ul><div ><img alt="Left turn hand signal" height="85" src="http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/glmedia/icons/left_turn.gif" width="85" /> <img alt="Right turn hand signal" height="85" hspace="30" src="http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/glmedia/icons/right-turn.gif" width="85" /> <img alt="Stop hand signal" height="85" src="http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/glmedia/icons/stop.gif" width="85" /> Use your left hand to make these signals for left turn, right turn, and stop.</div>

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li>Check your bike tires to make sure they have the right amount of tire pressure.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/BikeSafetyforAdults.pdf" >Know the 7 Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety [PDF - 315 KB]</a>.</li><li>Don’t forget sunscreen! Put sunscreen on before you ride your bike.</li></ul>