Breastfeeding: Nourish, Bond, and Thrive Together

“A newborn has only three demands. These are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three.” 

-Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, British Obstetrician

Breastfeeding is truly remarkable—it nourishes your baby and transforms lives. It not only provides essential nutrition but also strengthens the unbreakable bond between you and your child with every feeding. Breastfeeding saves lives and creates lasting connections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that: “infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health” (1). The WHO says that breastfeeding should continue up to 2 years of age and beyond. The Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop once said, on the subject of the wonder of breastmilk; “it is the lucky child who still breastfeeds past two years old”. 

Discover more about the incredible benefits of breastmilk on our Breastfeeding Resources and Support page. Learn why it’s essential for your baby’s nutrition, development, and lifelong health. 

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Breastfeeding: Tips for a Smooth Start

Planning to Breastfeed – Education and Support

Whether you have always known that you wanted to breastfeed your children; or it’s a new topic to you; breastmilk will give your baby the very best start in life. Breastfeeding is natural and gives your baby the best nutrition; breastmilk even contains stem cells and it has the ability to protect a baby’s immune system (2). 

Many mothers find it difficult to breastfeed at first. Breastfeeding is a learned skill that you and your little one develop together. This is why breastfeeding support and education is vital for helping new mothers to breastfeed. Research tells us that mothers who have experienced really good breastfeeding support are far more likely to achieve their breastfeeding goals (3). 

You are already doing a great job by reading articles, such as this one, and informing yourself on the most up-to-date breastfeeding knowledge. The research also tells us that having access to clear and accurate breastfeeding information is significant when it comes to experiencing a long, happy breastfeeding journey (4). 

Here are some places to gain breastfeeding support (you could make contact with them during pregnancy and begin creating your support network):

• Connect with local breastfeeding support. Ask your midwife, doctor, or care team if there is a breastfeeding peer support group in your community. Many families find encouragement and confidence through shared experiences.
• Reach out to trusted nonprofit resources. Organizations such as the California Breastfeeding Coalition offer reliable information and, in some cases, breastfeeding support phonelines to help answer questions and provide guidance.
• Lean on your personal support network. Family members or friends who have had positive breastfeeding experiences can be a meaningful source of encouragement and understanding. Feeling supported can make a real difference.
• Consider professional lactation support. If you’re experiencing challenges, a lactation consultant can provide individualized, expert care. You can find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) website. For additional guidance, we invite you to explore our related resources and articles.

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Getting Started with Breastfeeding

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Breastmilk will give your little one everything that they need for the first 6 months of life. Beyond this stage, breastfeeding remains essential and complements the introduction of solid foods. Exclusive breastfeeding means your baby consumes breastmilk only, and nothing else. A wealth of research illustrates that exclusive breastfeeding (until 6 months of age) provides the best start in life for your baby (8). 

Breastmilk is produced on a supply-and-demand basis—meaning the more you breastfeed, the more milk your body will produce for your baby. In those crucial early days and weeks, establishing a strong milk supply is key. The best way to achieve this is through exclusive, on-demand breastfeeding. This involves responding to your baby’s hunger cues, day and night, by offering the breast whenever they show signs of needing to feed.

Here are the typical cues to watch out for when the baby needs feeding:

Early cues

• stirring
• mouth opening
• turning head: rooting/ seeking

Mid cues

• more physical movement
• putting his hand in his mouth
• stretching

Later cues 

• agitated body movements
• upset and crying
• fussiness and redness 

Whenever possible, offer your baby the breast at the first signs of hunger. Responding to these early cues makes feeding smoother.  A baby who becomes upset or agitated may be harder to position comfortably at the breast.

The more frequent that you breastfeed; the more milk your body will produce. Your milk supply will be established by around 4-12 weeks after birth. Keep offering your little one the breast, day and night, whenever they show signs of hunger. This is particularly important during the early days and weeks. 

The supply and demand nature of breastmilk production suggests that you refrain from using feeding bottles when possible, until you are confident that your milk supply is well-established. Spending more time sucking on an artificial nipple  means less time at the breast, which can lead to a decrease in your milk supply. Once your milk supply has stabilized, you may choose to introduce a bottle of expressed breastmilk if desired.

It is important that you find the breastfeeding positions that are most comfortable for both you and your baby. You may refer to our article on ‘Getting a good latch and positioning your baby’ to learn more. . Being well-informed and using the right position can help support effective feeding for your baby, ensure your comfort, and promote a healthy milk supply. 

The first milk your body produces is called colostrum. You may have heard colostrum called ‘liquid gold’, referring to its perfect nutritional content for newborn babies. Many women also notice their breasts producing colostrum (the orangey-golden colour liquid when you gently squeeze your nipples) towards the end of pregnancy . A newborn’s tummy is tiny; it is approximately the size of a hazelnut at birth. Just a small amount of colostrum can fill and satisfy your newborn’s tummy. 

Here at MMBCA, we want to acknowledge just how challenging those early days and weeks of breastfeeding can be for some mothers. Every breastfeed counts; every breastfeed makes a difference. You’re doing an amazing job, and remember—you’re not alone. You’re part of a global community of breastfeeding mothers, supporting and inspiring one another.

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What are the Signs of a Happy Breastfed Baby? 

You cannot overfeed an exclusively breastfed baby. If you think that your baby may want to breastfeed at any time; offer them the breast. Your baby will find nutrition, comfort and may fall asleep at your breast; these are a normal, natural part of breastfeeding and a baby’s development. 

Signs of good feeding include: 

• At least 8 breastfeeds every 24 hours (anything more than this is normal too). Your newborn baby should be feeding regularly during the day and night.
• A total of 6 or more wet diapers every 24 hours. If you are unsure if a diaper is wet; then you could weigh it (and compare it to the weight of a clean diaper).
• At least 3 or more stools each day.
• The latch is comfortable. The latch is how the baby attaches to the breast to feed. A good latch is vital. A good latch will be comfortable and will allow the baby to empty the milk efficiently from the breast (and helps establish a good breastmilk supply). 

Conversely, a poor latch could be: painful, cause bleeding or lead to misshapen nipples after feeding. You know best when it comes to the latch; if it feels good and your baby appears satisfied at the breast – then you have most likely got a good latch. If the latch feels painful or not right; unlatch your baby (insert your pinky finger gently into the side of your baby’s mouth to break the suction) and relatch your baby onto your breast. 

Having a good latch is really key when it comes to a long, successful breastfeeding journey. In a deep latch, your baby’s   mouth should be wide open and take in a good amount of breast tissue, not just the nipple, so the nipple ends up farther back in the mouth. You should see more of your areola (the darker skin around your nipple) above your little one’s top lip than below their bottom lip. 

Signs your baby is feeding well:

• Your baby begins feeding with some quick sucks followed by longer, rhythmic sucks. You should be able to hear your baby swallow. Your baby’s cheeks should look rounded (not hollow) whilst they are sucking. 
• Your baby seems relaxed during the breastfeed. 
• Your baby seems satisfied at the end of most breastfeeds.
• Your breasts should feel softer after each breastfeed. 
• Most babies regain their birth weight by 2 weeks after birth. It is normal for your baby to lose some birth weight in the first 2 weeks following birth. 

Signs that you may need to seek more support or help:

• Pain during breastfeeds. 
• Bleeding or misshapen nipples. 
• Your baby has difficulty staying latched onto your breast. 
• Baby does not seem satisfied at the end of the feed. 
• Infrequent breastfeeding can also be a sign of difficulty breastfeeding. Remember that your baby needs to feed frequently enough in order for you to establish a good milk supply. 
• Clicking or popping noises from your baby’s mouth. 
• No rhythm to the breastfeed; inconsistent and weak sucking.
• Engorgement: if your breasts become painful, hard and feel overly full then it could be a sign that your baby is not emptying milk efficiently from your breasts.
• Not enough soiled and wet diapers (see above).
• Quick or excessive weight loss can also indicate a problem with breastfeeding.t is normal for a baby to lose some weight in the first 2 weeks following birth. During this time, your breastmilk supply is being established and you and your baby are learning the art of breastfeeding together. If you are concerned about your baby’s weight at any time, please consult your pediatrician. 

Every baby grows at their own pace. If you have concerns about your baby’s weight, feeding, or growth at any point, we encourage you to speak with your pediatrician or healthcare provider, who can offer personalized guidance and support.

Your pediatrician, midwife, lactation consultant, breastfeeding peer support group, and breastfeeding friends are all great resources to seek for additional support. If your baby is generally content, seems satisfied after feeding,  and is gaining weight (with plenty of wet and soiled diapers) and you feel confident; these are all great signs of a positive start to your breastfeeding journey together. . 

Every breastfeed matters, and you’re doing an incredible job. Breastfeeding not only meets your baby’s nutritional needs but also nurtures their emotional well-being and strengthens your bond in countless ways. At MMBCA, we celebrate and support every breastfeeding journey.