Early initiation of breastfeeding 

• Breastfeeding should be initiated within 1 hour for a normal delivery and within 2 hours for a caesarean birth.

• Breast milk is present immediately after birth and there is no need to wait for the milk to “come in”. Colostrum quantities may seem minute but when fed frequently are sufficient to satiate the hunger of the baby.

• Pre-lacteal feeds such as honey, glucose water or any traditional foods should not be given to the baby before the first breastfeed.
• In case if breastfeeding is difficult for some reason, then milk can be expressed using a breast pumps and fed to the baby using cup and spoon method.
• All babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding should then be continued along with homemade foods for first two years of baby’s life.
• While breastfeeding a baby needs to latch onto the mother’s areola and not the nipple to effectively drain the breast. This is done by making sure that the baby has a mouthful of the areola when attaching. (charts will be shown)
• Breastfeeding should be on demand. The frequency of breastfeeding as well as how long one breastfeeding session lasts should be decided by the baby.
• When any baby starts breastfeeding, the first 2-3 minutes a painful sensation is experienced by the mother. This is normal if the pain subsides after the initial 2-3 minutes. If not the baby needs to re-latch.
• In order to re-latch the baby or to remove a sleeping baby from the breast, a mother should insert a clean finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth to break the suction and then release the attachment.
• Breastfeeding can be done in any position comfortable for both the mother and the baby.
• Side lying feeding position is especially beneficial for mothers who have undergone normal deliveries as episiotomies make it difficult for the mother to sit upright and feed every single time.
• Back support is a crucial part of sitting upright and breastfeeding. Special breastfeeding pillows are an essential part of breastfeeding as they enable the mother to breastfeed in a comfortable position.
• (Different breastfeeding positions will be demonstrated using a doll)
• Bottle feeding or formula feeding using a bottle is not recommended immediately after birth and also for the first 6 months of the baby’s life. The rate of milk flow from a bottle is very high as compared to the milk flow from the mother’s breast. This interferes with the baby’s natural sucking reflex causing problems with breastfeeding.
• Formula feeding should not be started without medical guidance.
• Any kind of nipple stimulation I not advised in pregnancy esp. in the last trimester.
• In case a mother has flat nipples or retracted nipples, they can easily be taken care of post pregnancy. 
• Frequent cleaning of the breasts with soap and water is not advised as this may cause drying of the breast tissue leading to cracks and fissures.