Breast milk is the best food you can give to your baby. Breast milk is a complete food source, containing all the nutrients your baby need - at least 400 of them to be exact, including hormones and disease fighting compounds that aren't found in formula.

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The nutritional makeup in breast milk will adjust to your baby's needs as he or she grows and develops. Aside from the brain building, infection fighting benefits of breast milk, which no formula can match, nursing will also help to build a special bond between you and your baby. When nursing, your child thrives on the contact, cuddling, and holding - which you will as well.

Since breast feedings can take up to 40 minutes or more, you should pick a cozy spot for nursing. The atmosphere is very important, even more so in the early days of breast feeding when you're still trying to get the hang of it. If you get easily distracted by noise, go somewhere quiet.

You should always hold your baby in a position that won't leave your arms or back sore. It works the best to support the back of your baby's head with your hand, although which position you choose depends on what's more comfortable to you.

When supporting your baby, a nursing pillow can sometimes be a big help. You should never feed until both you and your baby are comfortable. Pay attention to how your breasts feel when your baby latches on, as his mouth should cover most of the areola below the nipple, and the nipple should be far back into your baby's mouth.

While some women adjust to breast feeding easily, other moms find it hard to learn. If you feel discouraged, always know that you aren't the only one. Everyone feels different when starting, it all depends on the mother and the situation.

Breast feeding will take practice. Therefore, you should give yourself as much time as you need to get it down to second nature. Always take it one feeding at a time. If you are having a bad day, tell yourself that it'll get better. Keep in mind that any problems are temporary, as you'll be nursing like a pro by your six week postpartum checkup.

The first six weeks will be both an adventure and training. You can't expect to know everything when you begin, which is where training and practice will really help you excel. The more you breast feed, the more you'll learn. You'll also build a bond with your baby - which is something you'll always have for the rest of your lives.

Once you've given birth, breast feeding is the single
most important thing you can do to protect your baby
and help to promote good health. Best of all, breast
feeding is free.

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Along with saving you money on HMR (Human Milk
Replacement), breast feeding can also help you to
keep your medical bills down. Babies that are fed
with formula get sicker more often and more seriously than babies that are breast fed They also have more ear infections, respiratory infections, and other problems.

This can be even more true if your family has had a
history of allergies. When a baby is breast fed, the
antibodies pass on from the mother to the baby, elping to protect against illness and allergies. As
the baby's system matures, his body will begin to ke it's own antibodies, and he'll be more equipped
to handle sensitivities of food.

Sucking on the breast will also help with the development or jaw alignment and the development of
the cheekbone. For this very reason, there is less
of the need for costly orthodontic work when the
child gets older.

Unlike formula, breast milk is always ready, always
available, convenient, and always the right temperature
for feeding. Plus, it contains all of the vitamins
and minerals your growing baby needs, saving you a
lot of money.

Breast feeding also offers many benefits for the mom
as well. The baby sucking at the breast will cause
contractions right after birth, leading to less
bleeding for the mom, and helping her uterus to it's
shape before pregnancy much faster.

Breast feeding will also burn calories, so a mom can
lose weight much faster than if she fed her baby with
a bottle. Breast feeding will also create a special
bond with the mother and the baby - which is one
thing formula simpy cannot do.

For some people, the process of breast feeding

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seems to come natural, although there's a level
of skill required for successful feeding and a
correct technique to use. Incorrect positioning
is one of the biggest reasons for unsuccessful
feeding and it can even injure the nipple or
breast quite easily.

By stroking the baby's cheek with the nipple, the baby will open its mouth towards the nipple, which should then be pushed in so that the baby will
get a mouthful of nipple and areola. This position is known as latching on. A lot of women prefer to wear a nursing bra to allow easier access
to the breast than other normal bras.

The length of feeding time will vary.Regardless of the duration of feeding time, it's important for mothers to be comfortable. The following are positions you can use:

1. Upright - The sitting position where the back is straight.

2. Mobile - Mobile is where the mother carries her baby in a sling or carrier while breast feeding. Doing this allows the mother to breast feed in the work of everyday life.

3. Lying down - This is good for night feeds or for those who have had a caesarean section.

4. On her back - The mother is sitting slightly upright, also a useful position for tandem breast feeding.

5. On her side - The mother and baby both lie on their sides.

6. Hands and knees - In this feeding position the mother is on all fours with the baby underneath her. Keep in mind, this position isn't normally
recommended.

Anytime you don't feel comfortable with a feeding position, always stop and switch to a different position. Each position is different, while some
mothers prefer one position, other's may like a totally different position. All you need to do is experiment and see which position is best for you.

Sore nipples

A lot of mothers complain about tender nipples that make breast feeding painful and frustrating. There is good news though, as most mothers don't suffer
that long. The nipples will toughen up quickly and render breast feeding virtually painless.

Improperly positioned babies or babies that suck really hard can make the breasts extremely sore. Below, are some ways to ease your discomfort:

1. Make sure your baby is in the correct position, since a baby that isn't positioned correctly is the number one cause of sore nipples.

2. Once you have finished feeding, expose your breasts to the air and try to protect them from clothing and other irritations.

3. After breast feeding, apply some ultra purified, medical grade lanolin, making sure to avoid petroleum jelly and other products with oil.

4. Make sure to wash your nipples with water and not with soap.

5. Many women find teabags ran under cold water to provide some relief when placed on the nipples.

6. Make sure you vary your position each time with feeding to ensure that a different area of the nipple is being compressed each time.

Clogged milk ducts

Clogged milk ducts can be identified as small, red tender lumps on the tissue of the breast. Clogged ducts can cause the milk to back up and lead to infection. The best way to unclog these ducts is to ensure that you've emptied as completely as possible. You should offer the clogged breast first at feeding time, then let your baby empty it as much as possible.

If milk remains after the feeding, the remaining amount should be removed by hand or with a pump. You should also keep pressure off the duct by making sure your bra is not too tight.

Breast infection

Also known as mastititis, breast infection is normally due to empty breasts completely out of milk, germs gaining entrance to the milk ducts through cracks or fissures in the nipple, and decreased immunity in the mother due to stress or inadequate nutrition.

The symptoms of breast infection include severe pain or soreness, hardness of the breast, redness of the breast, heat coming from the area, swelling, or even chills.

The treatment of breast infection includes bed rest, antibiotics, pain relievers, increased fluid intake, and applying heat. Many women will stop breast feeding during an infection, although it's actually the wrong thing to do. By emptying the breasts, you'll actually help to prevent clogged milk duct.

If the pain is so bad you can't feed, try using a pump while laying in a tub of warm water with your breasts floating comfortably in the water. You should
also make sure that the pump isn't electric if you plan to use it in the bath tub.

You should always make sure that breast infections are treated promptly and completely or you may risk the chance of abscess. An abscess is very painful, involving throbbing and swelling. You'll also experience swelling, tenderness, and heat in the area of the abscess. If the infection progresses this far, your doctor may prescribe medicine and even surgery.

Many women (and men), often feel that when a new baby arrives on the scene they are going to have to forget having a sex life for a number of months if the wife is breast feeding her new baby.

Nothing can be further from the truth and though it can be difficult establishing that sense of intimacy you both require, it can be done if you both put some thought into it. It should also bring you both closer together.

It's difficult for new parents when baby arrives, and that includes dad as well as mum especially if it's a first baby as sometimes dad can feel he is now taking a back seat in his partners affections. He may feel slightly resentful because his partner's breasts are now "off limits", and she may be feeling exhausted after the strain of looking after baby and any other children there may be.

Many men find it difficult to appreciate how tired she may be feeling, whilst she may be not only feeling tired, but also unattractive. After all who wants to make love if they don't feel their best!

Men have a part to play in the tending of a new baby. and encouraging his partner to breast feed their child whilst telling her how much he loves her and how proud of her he is, goes a long way to making her feel more desirable.

Tact and diplomacy is needed, and a realization that the "mechanics" of intimacy may need a helping hand. For a start, because she is breast feeding, the woman may experience some vaginal dryness which will make sex uncomfortable for her. If her partner realizes this and takes it into consideration by supplying a water based lubricant, it could mean she would be much more relaxed about making love as she realizes he is taking her feelings etc into account.

Just because the woman is breast feeding doesn't mean she can't have sex. If she finds it uncomfortable for her partner to touch her breasts because they are tender or full, it's a good idea to ensure they have been emptied beforehand. Alternatively a pretty or sexy bra can be worn which will help to protect them.

If the woman does reach orgasm, she may find her milk sprays from her breasts at the crucial part. As this may be slightly off putting for both partners, it may be a good idea to feed baby before intimacy occurs.

If the woman truly finds lovemaking uncomfortable, it doesn't mean there doesn't have to be any contact between her and her partner. Stroking and caressing can be very arousing, and ensures he doesn't feel neglected or second best.

Many women find that they can eat whatever they may like during breast feeding. Even though it's true that some stongly favored foods can change the
taste of your milk, many babies seem to enjoy the varieties of breast milk flavors. Occasionally, your baby may get cranky at the breast after you
eat certain foods. If you notice this happening, simply avoid that particular food.

The most common offenders duing breast feeding include chocolate, spices, citrus fruits, garlic, chili, lime, gassy vegetables, and fruits with
laxative type effects, such as prunes and cherries.

You can have a cup or two of coffee a day, although too much caffeine can interfere with your baby's sleep and even make him or her cranky. Keep in
mind, caffeine is found in many soda's, tea, and even over the counter type medicine as well. It's okay to have an alcoholic beverage every now
and the, although having more than one drink can increase your blood alcohol level, putting the alcohol into your breast milk.

If you are planning to have more than one drink at a time, it's best to wait two hours or more per drink before you resume any type of nursing
or breast feeding. There is no need to pump and dump unless your breasts are full and its time to feed your baby. While breast feeding, any type of heavy drinking should be avoided.

Before you actually omit any foods from your diet, you should talk to your doctor. If you avoid certain foods and it causes a nutritional imbalance, you may need to see a nutritionist for advice on taking other foods or getting nutritional supplements.