Breastfeeding is natural but it doesn't always come naturally. Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants have put together this list to help you prepare!

1. WhatEveryMom&Partner
NeedstoKnow
“You’redoinganamazingjob!”
If you have questions about breastfeeding, or are struggling
with nursing, contact a DMG lactation consultant at:
DuPageMedicalGroup.com/lactation-consultants
Latch &
Positions
Side-lyingFootball Cross-cradle Cradle
Mothers do not need to use all of these positions.
Best Advice: Use the most comfortable position for you.
A Productive, Painless Latch
Areola is most likely
covered by lower jaw
but may be visible
around upper jaw
Position baby’s head
with a slight upward
angle, line nose across
from nipple, place lower
jaw onto areola & tilt
baby’s head across
the nipple
Baby’s head is
positioned on a slant
– chin is deeper into
breast than forehead
(draw imaginary line
from chin to forehead)
Baby’s nose slightly
touching the breast
Most Common Problems
Breastfeeding
Storing Breast Milk
Store pumped milk in bags made specifically
for storage of breast milk or a clean container
Label & date each bottle or bag of breast milk
Never thaw frozen breast milk in microwave
Breast milk does not have to be warmed up
after being refrigerated to feed to your baby
Signs of Mastitis
Sore nipples caused
by latching difficulties
Baby not gaining weight Mom not having
enough breast milk
Painful engorgement
Baby unsettled, crying
or sleepy at breast
Baby demanding to be fed
every hour & feeding on
breast over 45 minutes
Chills & Fever Breast Pain
& Swelling
Fatigue &
Body Aches
Decreased
Milk Supply
Snacks & Diet for Mom
Healthy, balanced dietChicken, turkey,
& red meats
(by preference)
Vegetables & fruits
Must Have Products
Nipple Cream Nursing Bra
Nursing Pillow Nursing Pads
Double-electric Personal Breast Pump
If you plan to return to work (most
insurance plans cover breast pumps –
check with your insurance)
Hospital Grade Double-Electric
Breast Pump (Rental)
Should problems arise, a hospital grade
pump usually is necessary (e.g. newborn
not latching, preterm infant, near term
infant, infant not gaining weight, maternal
complications – delayed milk production,
pre-eclampsia, preterm labor)
Breast Pump
Tips for Your Partner
Praise Mom Help with Baby Make Sure Mom
Eats & Hydrates
If you encounter any of these issues, reach out to your Obstetrician,
Pediatrician or Lactation Consultant
Requireddailyintake > 1500 calories
300–500 additional calories than regular diet
Freezer
Best=6MONThs
GOODUNTIL=12MONTHS
Tip Store milk toward back
of freezer
Freshly Pumped
Best=3TO4hours
at room temperature
GOODUNTIL=6TO8hours
under very clean conditions
Refrigerator
Best=72hours
GOODUNTIL=upto8days
under very clean conditions
TipPlace milk in back of main
section of refrigerator
How Much is Enough?
Mastitis is a breast infection. If you think you have mastitis, call your
doctor & lactation consultant.
Lanolin or other
nipple creams to
treat sore nipples
Comfortable fitted
nursing bra or tank
Prepare her meals, bring her
nutritional snacks & water
Mom should drink a minimum of
6-8 glasses (8 oz) of water per day
Words of encouragement
& support are invaluable
Hold baby while mom is napping
Change the baby before
or after feeding
At lease 1 wet diaper
for each day the baby
is old - up to 6 days
(stop counting after 6 days)
MONDAY
A newborn should be
fed 8-10 times per day
Baby should be sucking strong,
slow & steady & swallowing often
1 DAY 2 DAYS 3 DAYS 4 DAYS 5 DAYS 6 DAYS
Wet Diapers
In the first 1-2 days, stool
will be black/tarry, then
change & vary between
brown, green or yellow
After day 5, baby
should have at least 3
soft, liquid or seedy
stools per day
From day 4 onward baby
should gain ½ to 1 oz
per day & regain birth
weight by 10 to 14 days