Breastfeeding Also called: Lactation, Nursing Summary Breastfeeding offers many benefits to your baby. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients to help your infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler. Some of the nutrients in breast milk also help protect your infant against some common childhood illnesses and infections. It may also help your health. Certain types of cancer may occur less often in mothers who have breastfed their babies. Women who don’t have health problems should try to give their babies breast milk for at least the first six months of life. Most women with health problems can breastfeed. There are rare exceptions when women are advised not to breastfeed because they have certain illnesses. Some medicines, illegal drugs, and alcohol can also pass through the breast milk and cause harm to your baby. Check with your health care provider if you have concerns about whether you should breastfeed. If you are having problems with breastfeeding, contact a lactation consultant. NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Videos and Tutorials Benefits of Breastfeeding Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Daddy Duty Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk? Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Making the Decision to Breastfeed Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Overcoming Breastfeeding Challenges Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Time to Eat! What Will You Feed Your Baby? March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Related Issues Breast Pumps: Don’t Be Misled – Get the Facts Food and Drug Administration Breast-Feeding Twins: Making Feedings Manageable Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Breastfeeding FAQs: Sleep – Yours and Your Baby’s Nemours Foundation Breastfeeding FAQs: Solids and Supplementing Nemours Foundation Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding Nemours Foundation Burping Your Baby Nemours Foundation Colostrum: Your Baby’s First Meal American Academy of Pediatrics Easy Guide to Breastfeeding for American Indian and Alaska Native Families Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Food Safety for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Department of Agriculture Infant Allergies and Food Sensitivities American Academy of Pediatrics Nursing Supplies American Academy of Pediatrics Pumping and Breastmilk Storage Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Selecting a Caregiver Who Supports Breastfeeding American Academy of Pediatrics Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breastfeeding Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Supply and Demand American Academy of Pediatrics Things to Avoid When Breastfeeding American Academy of Pediatrics Travel Recommendations for the Nursing Mother Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Types of Breast Pumps Food and Drug Administration Using a Breast Pump Food and Drug Administration Weaning Your Child Nemours Foundation Your Guide to Breastfeeding for African-American Women Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Start Here Breastfeed Your Baby Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Breastfeeding Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Breastfeeding and Breast Milk National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Breastfeeding and Everyday Life Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Breastfeeding FAQs: Your Eating and Drinking Habits Nemours Foundation Breastfeeding Your Baby American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Breastfeeding: Hints to Help You Get Off to a Good Start American Academy of Family Physicians Health & Nutrition Information for Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women Department of Agriculture How a Healthy Diet Helps You Breastfeed American Academy of Pediatrics How Do I Breastfeed? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development It’s Only Natural: Mother’s Love, Mother’s Milk Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health What Are the DGAs for Moms and Infants? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Your Guide to Breastfeeding Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Specifics Breastfeeding After Cesarean Delivery American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding FAQs: Pain and Discomfort Nemours Foundation Common Breastfeeding Challenges Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Engorgement American Academy of Pediatrics Extended Breast-Feeding: What You Need to Know Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research FAQ on Tattoos and Breastfeeding La Leche League International Mastitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Nipple Dermatitis Logical Images Possible Problems: Inverted, Flat, or Pierced Nipples American Academy of Pediatrics Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Bone Health National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Serious Illnesses and Breastfeeding American Academy of Pediatrics Smallpox Vaccination Information for Women Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention When Should a Mother Avoid Breastfeeding? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics and Research Breastfeeding Among U.S. Children Born 2000 – 2009, CDC National Immunization Survey Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Breastfeeding Report Card 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Vital Signs: Hospital Actions Affect Breastfeeding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention LactMed: Drugs and Lactation Database National Library of Medicine Array Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding Overcoming breastfeeding problems Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Breast Feeding National Institutes of Health Men Dad’s Role in Breastfeeding American Academy of Pediatrics Fathers Can Support Breastfeeding Department of Agriculture Health Check Tools Daily Food Plan for Moms Department of Agriculture Patient Handouts Frequently Asked Questions about Breastfeeding Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Find an Expert National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Images Nursing Positions Nemours Foundation Journal Articles Breastfeeding Diagnosis and Tests Warning Signs of Breastfeeding Problems American Academy of Pediatrics Latest News When New Moms Work Longer Hours, Breast-Feeding Takes a Back Seat HealthDay Breast Milk Best from the Breast? HealthDay
