1.Remember, the baby does the breastfeeding, not the mother. It’s the mother’s job to get baby to work at the right place and on time, but it’s the baby who has to do his or her job in order to get paid! You can’t force your baby to breastfeed.  You can help out, of course, but allow your baby to do what she was meant to do. You’ll be amazed and delighted to see how competent your baby actually is.

2.Practice lots of skin to skin immediately after birth and for the first few weeks. Skin to skin keeps babies warm, calm and close to the restaurant, helps with growth and milk production.

3.Babies do not forget how to breastfeed. Your baby is hardwired to breastfeed. Babies do not forget this important survival skill. The two most important things are to keep feeding your baby and work to establish a bountiful milk supply. Once problems are resolved, babies usually breastfeed beautifully. It’s how they were designed to eat.

4.Breastfeeding is more than just a food delivery system.  It is the single best parenting tool you will ever have.

5.Protect your milk production. If your baby has not latched within the first 6 hours, you need to start removing milk.  Once your milk “comes in” around day 3-4, you must use a pump and/or use your hands to remove milk at least 8-10 times each day but more often for shorter periods works even better. Milk is made when milk is removed. Remember, your breasts are organs that must be properly utilized to function optimally.  Milk left behind tells your body to slow down production. If everything is going well, you do not need to own a breast pump.  If you do choose to own one, don’t run out to buy the most expensive one on the market right away.  I am a fan of the simple $40 hand pump. I have seen women remove more milk from these pumps than from the $300 pumps.  If you need to pump temporarily until the baby is doing his or her job better, it may be more cost effective to rent a hospital grade pump, rather than buying one.  Often hospitals give you the tubing and the rental is approximately $55-$60 per month. Not all pumps work equally well.

6.Look for early feeding cues -- noises, movements, hands in mouth, and/or throwing her head towards the breast. These signals are your baby’s way of telling you that she is hungry BEFORE CRYING. If your newborn is crying, calm her down before trying to breastfeed.

7.Carry your baby a lot.  Babies that are held more, cry less. A calm, content baby translates into greater happiness for everyone in your house.

8.Your baby’s needs are the same as his wants. Babies cannot be manipulative and controlling. When your baby “wants” to eat, it is because he “needs” to eat.

9.Do not apply bottle feeding “rules” to breastfeeding.  They are two different ways of feeding babies. Breastfed babies will not grow optimally if put on a feeding schedule no more than you would want someone controlling when or how much you eat everyday. When your baby “tells” you s/he is hungry, sit down, relax, and feed your baby until s/he is “milk drunk” -- totally full, relaxed, floppy arm with no muscle tension, and usually asleep.

10. Your baby needs to eat often (at least 10-12 times/day). Human milk has relatively low levels of protein and fat, which means that human babies need to eat often. Other, more self-sufficient mammals, can go longer stretches between feeds because of higher fat and protein levels in their mother’s milk.

11. Your breastmilk is a complete food.  Don’t be in a rush to start solids. The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend starting solids until the baby is at least six months old. Your breastmilk continues to be your baby’s only complete food.

12. Follow your instincts.  Do what feels right in your gut.  A mother’s intuition is often right. Remember, you know your baby best.

13. Eat what you want. Women all over the world are breastfeeding and eating many different types of foods.

14. Get rest, sleep when the baby sleeps and accept help.    Don’t expect too much from yourself; take at least 1-2 naps each day. If your house is clean, you’re not getting enough rest.  You will be at your best when you are rested. If you have visitors and they ask if they can bring something, say “yes” because in a couple of months, people may stop offering!