Frequently Asked Questions

Breastfeeding is good for babies, mothers, workplaces, and the earth. It is the natural way to feed babies.

Breastfeeding is good for babies because:

• Human breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition and changes to meet your baby’s special needs.
• Human breast milk is easier on baby’s tummy and causes less diarrhea and vomiting
• Breastfeeding builds better immunities and protects babies from many common health problems, like ear infections.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to have some long-lasting health problems, such as diabetes, asthma, and Crohn's disease.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to develop allergies and childhood cancers.
• Breastfeeding lowers risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Human milk is even more important for babies who are born early and those with low birth weights (less than 5 ½  pounds).
• Breastfeeding results in lower health care costs and less trips to the hospital for serious illnesses.
  
• Breastfeeding produces less risk of babies becoming overweight.
• Breastfeeding promotes good jaw development and growth of straight, healthy teeth.
  

Breastfeeding is good for mothers because it:

• Helps mothers recover more quickly after giving birth
• May help mothers return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster (it burns an average of 500 extra calories a day)
• Reduces risk of long-lasting health problems, such as breast and ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes
• Creates a special bond between mother and baby
• Reduces the risk of postpartum depression
  
• Helps mothers feel good about giving their babies the healthiest start in life
  

Breastfeeding is good for everyone because:

• Breastfeeding saves families money.
• Employees who breastfeed miss fewer days from work to care for a sick child because breastfed babies are healthier.
• Breastfeeding is good for the earth; it uses less energy and creates less waste.

Doctors recommend that babies receive only breast milk for at least the first six months of life (this means no water, juice, or other milk). The following organizations strongly recommend breastfeeding be continued for two years or longer:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least two years or longer to achieve optimal maternal and child health.
• The World Health Organization also recommends continued breastfeeding throughout the child’s second year of life or beyond.

Every family has the right to decide how their baby will be fed, and they deserve accurate information to make that decision. However, the longer baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits for both mother and baby.  Ask your health care provider when to offer other foods to your baby. 

You can tell your baby is getting enough milk by keeping track of the number of wet and dirty diapers. In the first few days, your baby will have fewer wet diapers. After your milk supply has increased, your baby should have more wet and dirty diapers. Baby’s stools will become runny, yellowish, and may look seedy. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about your baby's weight gain.

Baby is full when he:

• “Falls off” your breast, releasing the nipple.
• Falls asleep.
• Relaxes body and opens fists.

Milk in your breasts is produced by “supply and demand” or milk removal. As baby nurses and removes milk from your breast, more milk is made. Your body will make enough milk if you nurse your baby 8-12 times in a 24-hour period during the first 4 to 6 weeks. Newborns feed often, even hourly, for the first few nights. If you are not able to nurse your baby or have to miss a feeding, you can use a breast pump to keep up or even increase your milk supply.

If you watch the clock and only feed your baby at certain times, you may not make enough milk.  Learn your baby’s early hunger signs, and nurse your baby when he or she is hungry. Some of the early hunger signs are smacking lips, sucking on hands or fingers, and turning to the breast.

View more information about the minimum number of daily diapers for most babies.

There is no special diet for breastfeeding.  Mothers make healthy breast milk even when their own diets are lacking. Keep yourself healthy by choosing a variety of foods, and by following your USDA MyPlate Plan for Moms.

Sometimes certain foods in mom’s diet may make baby fussy.  Milk products, nuts, eggs, wheat, chocolate, and coffee or tea with caffeine may be the cause.  Should a certain food make your baby fussy, you may need to limit that food. Your thirst is the best signal of how much fluid to drink. In fact, excess fluids can decrease the amount of milk you make.  So it’s best to follow your own thirst, and have healthy drinks like water, low fat or nonfat milk, or 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice every time you nurse your baby or pump. Urine that is clear or pale yellow is a sign that you’re getting enough fluids.  

Visit our Working and Breastfeeding page for specific information about breastfeeding in the workplace. 

You can breastfeed your baby wherever you feel comfortable. Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby. Oklahoma and other states have laws that protect mothers who breastfeed in public.

Tips for breastfeeding or pumping in public:

• Wear loose fitting tops that you can raise up. The top can then rest around your baby’s head so your breast will not be seen. For a top with buttons, unbutton from the bottom just enough so your baby can be put to the breast.
• Practice at home in front of a mirror to see which tops work best for breastfeeding in public.
• Some mothers find baby slings, blankets, sweaters or jackets helpful.
• A nursing bra may help make nursing or pumping easier.

Colostrum is mother’s first breast milk.  It’s usually yellow in color, and can be either thick or thin. It has lots of antibodies that protect against infections. Small amounts are made during the last months of pregnancy and in the first days after birth. This meets your new baby’s need for small amounts of food often.  Breast milk changes during the first two weeks from colostrum to mature milk, which has two parts, foremilk and hindmilk.  Foremilk is thin and watery and helps to satisfy your baby’s thirst. As you nurse your baby, the foremilk changes to hindmilk, which is thicker and creamier and has more calories that help your baby to grow. The more your baby nurses, the more milk you will make.

Normally breast size does not affect how much milk you make. Mothers with small breasts can make as much milk as those with larger breasts.  If you have had breast surgery or implants, or have questions about the size or shape of your breasts or nipples, talk with your health care provider.

Moms who smoke or vape are encouraged to breastfeed but also to quit smoking or cut down on their smoking and vaping as much as possible. Babies have a higher risk of having breathing problems and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) if their moms smoke. Breastfeeding lowers the risk of both these health problems for your baby. Heavy smoking or vaping can also decrease your milk supply. 

If you smoke and are breastfeeding, be sure to smoke outside, away from your baby, and change clothes to keep baby from breathing the smoke on your clothing.  

• Improving Infant Outcomes: Smoking and Pregnancy
  
• E-cigarette Use During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding FAQs - American Academy of Pediatrics

Call the 24/7 Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline today!
1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669)
Spanish: 1-800-793-1552

Alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) passes easily into breast milk, and even small amounts can affect how you care for your baby.  If you choose to drink alcohol, it’s best to limit to one or two small drinks a week and wait at least 2 hours after you drink to breastfeed.

• CDC recommendations on alcohol and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt, but nipples can get sore if your baby doesn’t have a good latch. If pain lasts more than a few seconds, try breaking the suction, take baby off the breast and try again.  Other causes of nipple soreness include breast engorgement, breast infection, the use of creams or ointments, and the misuse of nipple shields or breast pumps. Breastfeeding should be comfortable for you and your baby, but if you continue to have pain, talk with your health care provider.