Practice 5: Breastfeeding

Ensure that the baby is breastfed immediately after birth (at least within one hour) and is exclusively breastfed for six months.

• Talk about breastfeeding the baby within 1st hour.
• Listen attentively about her intention and/or practice. Ask after how long she or anyone in her family breastfed the baby.
• Listen attentively.

• Appreciate if the mother intends to breastfeed within 1st hour after delivery or has already done so.
• If not, discuss why? For example, is properly holding the baby and providing skin-contact a problem or the misperception of insufficient milk immediately after childbirth is a problem?

• Guide the mother how to breastfeed properly (proper attachment and positioning). Demonstrate how to hold the baby, if required.
• Explain that the first milk (colostrum) is very nutritious for the baby.
• Ask family to support the mother in breastfeeding her baby.

• Give colostrum (mother’s first milk) to your newborn as a first feed within one hour after delivery because it is nutritious and good for the baby
• Select a support person before time and ensure she helps the woman in breastfeeding her baby.
• Continue mother’s milk and nothing else -not even water-for six months.
• Mothers milk protects babies from diseases.
• When breastfeeding the baby, look the baby in the eyes and smile at him/her, talk or sing to him/her. This will help in their cognitive development and establish a good relationship with your child.
• Provide ways for your child to see, hear, feel, smell, move freely, and touch you while breastfeeding.
• Slowly move colourful things for your child to see and reach for. Sample toys: shaker rattle, big ring on a string etc