Why breast milk, and exclusive for 6 months
Breast milk is the perfect first food — and it protects.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months — no water or other food.
- Breast milk has all the nutrition and water a baby needs.
- It gives antibodies that protect against infection and illness.
- Keep breastfeeding with other foods to 2 years or beyond.
Start early and feed on cues
The first hour and frequent feeding set you up for success.
- Start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.
- Feed on cues — stirring, rooting, hands to mouth.
- Newborns feed often: about 8–12 times in 24 hours.
- Frequent feeding builds and protects your milk supply.
A good latch, step by step
A deep latch means comfortable feeding and enough milk.
| Step | Why |
|---|
| Hold baby close, tummy to you, nose to nipple | Aligns for a deep latch |
| Wait for a wide-open mouth | Gets a big mouthful of breast |
| Bring baby to breast (not breast to baby) | Deeper, comfortable latch |
| Chin touches breast, more areola below than above | Sign of a good latch |
| Feeding is comfortable, not pinching | Pain means re-latch |
If latching hurts, gently break the suction and try again — pain is a signal, not a must.
Feeding terms
- Exclusive breastfeeding: Only breast milk for the first 6 months — no water or other food.
- Latch: How the baby attaches to the breast; a deep latch feeds well and hurts less.
- Colostrum: The rich first milk, full of antibodies that protect the baby.
- Feeding on demand: Feeding whenever the baby shows cues, day and night.
- Let-down: The reflex that releases milk when the baby suckles.
- Expressing: Removing milk by hand or pump to store or relieve fullness.
Myth or reality?
Tap each statement about breastfeeding.
- Newborns need water in addition to breast milk (Myth) — For the first 6 months, breast milk alone gives all the water and nutrition a baby needs.
- The more a baby breastfeeds, the more milk you make (Reality) — Milk works by supply and demand — frequent feeding builds and protects your supply.
- Breastfeeding should always hurt at first (Myth) — Some tenderness is common, but ongoing pain usually means a shallow latch — re-latch or get help.
- Feeding often at night is normal and helps supply (Reality) — Night feeds are normal for newborns and are important for building milk supply.
About 6 or more wet diapers a day (after the first week), steady weight gain, and regular soft stools all suggest your baby is getting enough. Feeding on cues and hearing swallowing are good signs too.
Helps breastfeeding or hurts it?
Tap each practice, then whether it helps or hurts feeding.
- Feeding on cues, day and night (Helps breastfeeding)
- A deep, comfortable latch (Helps breastfeeding)
- Skin-to-skin contact (Helps breastfeeding)
- Giving water or formula in first months (without medical need) (Hurts breastfeeding)
- Enduring pain from a shallow latch (Hurts breastfeeding)
- Long gaps between feeds by the clock (Hurts breastfeeding)
Solving common problems
Most breastfeeding challenges have solutions.
- Sore nipples: fix the latch; feeding shouldn't pinch.
- Engorgement: feed often; express a little to soften.
- Worried about supply: feed more often and check latch.
- Get help early from a health worker or breastfeeding supporter.
When to get feeding help
These mean see a health worker or breastfeeding supporter.
- Baby not feeding well, very sleepy, or few wet diapers.
- Not gaining weight, or losing weight after the first days.
- Ongoing pain, cracked nipples, or a red, hot, painful breast with fever.
- Any newborn danger sign — seek care right away.
Recap & what's next
- Start early; breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, on cues.
- Aim for a deep, comfortable latch — pain means re-latch.
- Watch wet diapers and weight gain to know baby's fed.
- Next: newborn danger signs and jaundice, in depth.
