Breast-feeding may be perfectly natural, but for many women it becomes perfectly frustrating. Lots of women start out intending to breast-feed but quit within a short time because of discomfort or uncertainty. What if your baby can't seem to latch on? How can you know if your baby is getting enough milk? And what can you do about sore nipples?

It's a good idea to learn as much as you can about breast-feeding before your baby is born. Still, it may take some practice to get the hang of it, even if you understand how it's done. Don't be afraid to ask for help. A nurse, midwife or lactation consultant will help you get breast-feeding established.

Getting off to a good start
The following tips can help breast-feeding be successful and rewarding for both you and your baby.

• Start early. Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery if possible, while the baby is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. You won't be producing milk yet, but your breasts will contain colostrum, a thin fluid that has important antibodies to protect your baby from disease. Your milk will come in within a few days.
• Get your baby in the proper position. Hold your baby close to your body with his whole body (not just his head) facing your breast. To nurse, the baby's mouth should be wide open, with the nipple and most of the dark area around it in his mouth. This will help minimize nipple soreness. Nursing shouldn't hurt. If it does, the baby may not have enough of the breast in his mouth. Insert your finger between the breast and his mouth to break the suction and then reposition him.
• Feed on demand. Newborns need to nurse at least every two hours but not on any strict schedule. Nursing often will stimulate your breasts to produce plenty of milk. Breast milk is more easily digested than formula, so breast-fed babies usually eat more often than bottle-fed babies. In the first few weeks you may be nursing eight to 12 times in 24 hours. Later, the baby will settle into a more predictable routine.
• Delay artificial nipples. It's best to wait a month before introducing a pacifier. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a pacifier or bottle could also confuse some babies if given before breast-feeding is well established.
• Do not give supplemental feedings. Nursing newborns don't need sugar water or formula supplements. These may interfere with their appetite for nursing and lead to a decreased milk supply.
• Keep your breasts healthy. Until your nipples get used to nursing, air-dry them after each feeding to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If your nipples do crack, coat them with breast milk or a natural moisturizer such as lanolin to help them heal. Don't wash your breast with harsh soaps or use scented lotions.
• See your doctor for follow-up. Your doctor or midwife will want to see your baby within the first week after leaving the hospital. This will give you a chance to ask any questions and get any help you might need. Call them in the meantime if you have any concerns or questions.

Is my baby getting enough milk?
This is a common concern of new mothers. It's understandable because you can't see just how much milk is coming out. A baby is probably getting enough to eat if he or she:

• Nurses often, about every two hours for 10 to 15 minutes per breast.
• Seems sleepy and content after feeding.
• Wets at least six diapers a day. The urine should be clear. A baby will also have about three bowel movements a day, which should be soft and yellow.
• Is gaining weight. Most babies lose a few ounces during the first week of life, but after that they should start gaining weight.

If you are worried that your baby is not getting enough milk, call your doctor right away.

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External Sources American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Breastfeeding your baby. . Accessed July 21, 2009 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Medication guide: Reglan (metoclopramide). . Accessed August 11, 2009 Keister D, Roberts KT, Werner SL. Strategies for breastfeeding success. American Family Physician. 2008;78(2):225-232. . Accessed July 21, 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics. Policy statement. The changing concept of sudden infant death syndrome: diagnostic coding shifts, controversies regarding the sleeping environment, and new variables to consider in reducing risk. Pediatrics. 2005;116(5):1245-1255.. Accessed July 10, 2009 March of Dimes. Breast-feeding: strategies for success. . Accessed July 21, 2009 La Leche League International. Proper positioning and latch. . Accessed July 21, 2009

This article was reviewed and updated 08-01-2009.