Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding your baby videos

These instructional videos are available in English, Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Somali and Spanish.

Read the transcript for each translation below.

Breastfeeding

Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby. It has nutrients that are not found in formula. Breastmilk doesn't stain clothing and it produces less-smelly diapers than formula.

There are many benefits of breastfeeding:

• convenience: you do not need to prepare
• financial: your family can save up to $3,000 a year in formula costs
• health: in general, breastfeeding babies are healthier than babies who formula feed
• environmental: there is no clean-up or waste
• emotional: breastfeeding provides security, comfort and bonding

Benefits for your baby

Breastfed babies are known to:

• have healthier immune systems
• be less likely to have ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza and meningitis
• have decreased response to allergens
• have a lower risk for diseases such as diabetes, childhood cancer and asthma
• have a lower risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
• be less likely to be overweight or obese
• have fewer doctors' visits and hospital stays

Any amount of breastmilk gives your baby's immune system positive effects, both short- and long-term. Breastmilk changes as your baby develops, making it the perfect food for growth and development. It is the only food your baby needs for the first six months.

Benefits for you

For you, breastfeeding:

• helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size
• helps reduce bleeding after birth
• will lower your risk of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, anemia and urinary tract infections
• helps you lose weight
• releases hormones that help you relax and enjoy your baby

You and your baby are partners in breastfeeding. You both are learning together. It is normal if it takes a while for you to feel comfortable with breastfeeding.

Your baby may nurse well right from the start. Or, your baby may need more practice before breastfeeding is well established. That means being a little more patient and making sure you use your resources to help you until things are going well.