Definition:
Lactation is giving human breast milk to infants to meet their nutritional needs.

See also formula feeding, appropriate diet for age, iron in diet, and lactose intolerance.

Alternative Names:
Nursing; Breastfeeding

Function:
Breast milk is the natural nutritional source for infants less than one year of age.

Choosing how and what to feed your baby is a personal decision that deserves careful and thorough consideration of the facts, your opinions, and options.

Feeding your baby breast milk or bottled formula are both healthy and responsible decisions, each with advantages and disadvantages. How and what to feed your baby is a decision that should fit you, your baby, and your family.

Side Effects:
Moms who breastfeed may experience:

nipple soreness
breast engorgement
leaking breasts
let-down reflex (other than during breastfeeding)
inadequate milk supply
difficulty knowing how much milk the baby is drinking
Moms who breastfeed their babies may feel:

confused by lack of experience or support
afraid or ashamed to ask for help for such a natural activity
overwhelmed by the time commitment
exhausted by the frequent feedings (every 2 to 3 hours, day and night)
socially isolated from other relationships and activities
frightened by conflicting emotions of enjoyment and resentment
Note: Cow's milk by itself is not an adequate source of complete nutrition for infants. Commercially prepared formulas for bottle feeding are excellent sources of nutrition for babies who do not breastfeed.

Recommendations:
Most healthcare professionals (including the American Academy of Pediatricians and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners) recommend breastfeeding for your baby's first year.

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the first six months of life. It contains appropriate amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat, and provides digestive enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and hormones that infants require. Breast milk also contains antibodies from the mother that can help the baby resist infections.

Experts agree that breastfeeding your baby for any length of time, regardless of how short, is of benefit to you and your baby.

You can provide your baby with breast milk by either breastfeeding or by feeding your baby breast milk from a bottle.

Breast feeding your baby (directly from the breast):

can only be done by you
can be done exclusively or can be supplemented with bottle feedings
involves you making a major commitment
Feeding your baby breast milk (which has been expressed):

can be given with a bottle (by you or others)
requires regular pumping of milk from your breasts
requires appropriate handling and storage of milk
requires appropriate preparation of bottles and nipples
Most doctors advise using only one method (breastfeeding or feeding breast milk by bottle) for at least the first two months of life. This recommendation is based on the possibility of nipple confusion which can cause sucking and feeding problems for infants who are switched between breastfeeding and bottle feeding. After two months of age, most babies adapt to bottle nipples easily.

Breastfeeding is a natural function but is not necessarily a natural instinct for mothers. Most mothers need education during pregnancy to make informed choices about how and what to feed their babies. Mothers also need support, encouragement, and assistance after birth to establish, maintain, and enjoy feeding and caring for their babies.

ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING

Research indicates that breastfed babies may have less frequent:

ear infections
stomach or intestinal infections
low iron levels in the blood (iron-deficiency anemia)
skin diseases (infantile eczema)
infant allergies
Research indicates that breastfed babies may have less risk of:

digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhea
becoming overweight (obese)
developing high blood pressure
developing tooth decay
Moms who breastfeed their babies may enjoy:

no bottle cleaning
no formula preparation
lower cost
easier weight loss
enhancement of the unique bond between mother and child
Moms who breastfeed their babies should:

understand that ANY medications you take may enter the breast milk and affect your baby (check with your physician or lactation consultant about which are safe)
maintain adequate nutrition
drink plenty of fluids, especially water, every day
get plenty of rest
take good care of your nipples and breasts
relax and enjoy the experience

THE DECISION NOT TO BREASTFEED

Many situations or circumstances can change your plans to breast feed. How and what your baby eats may ultimately depend on the infant's physical condition and your health after birth.

Some babies are unable to adequately breast feed due to:

premature birth
small size
weak physical condition
difficulty sucking
birth defects of the mouth (cleft lip or cleft palate)
digestive problems (breast milk jaundice, galactosemia)
Some mothers are unable to breastfeed because of:

breast infection or breast abscess
breast cancer or other cancer
previous surgery or radiation treatment
inadequate milk supply (uncommon)
Some mothers are advised NOT to breastfeed due to health problems such as:

serious illnesses (heart disease or cancer, for example)
eclampsia
nephritis
active, untreated tuberculosis
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection or AIDS
active herpes lesions on the breast
severe malnutrition