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How to Breastfeed: Step-by-Step Latch and the Best Positions
A step-by-step guide to getting a deep, comfortable latch, five breastfeeding positions to try, and the beginner mistakes that are easy to fix.
Read the full guidePractical advice / Real support / Every step
Breastfeeding made easier
Trusted, evidence-based information and practical support for every stage of your breastfeeding journey.
Evidence-based
Every guide is based on the CDC, AAP, WHO and NIH LactMed, with its sources listed.
Practical, real-life tips
Clear steps you can use at 3 a.m., not textbook theory.
Support when you need it
You are not alone: know when and where to get help from a lactation consultant.
For every stage
From the first latch and the first weeks to pumping, returning to work and weaning.
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Breastfeeding basicsHow milk is made, what the first days look like, how to get a good latch and how to tell your baby is getting enough.Explore breastfeeding basics Milk supplyHow breast milk supply builds, the signs your baby is getting enough, real vs perceived low supply, and what can affect it.Explore milk supply Common challengesSore nipples, engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis and supply worries: how to recognize them, what to try first and when to call.Explore common challenges PumpingWhy and when to pump, how to choose a pump and flange, what to expect per session, pumping at work and keeping parts clean.Explore pumping Breast milk storageCDC breast milk storage guidelines in one table, plus simple tips for containers, labels, freezing, thawing and warming.Explore breast milk storage Medicines & safetyHow medicines and other substances pass into breast milk, where to check a specific drug, and evidence-based guides to common questions.Explore medicines & safety Nutrition & healthWhat to eat and drink while breastfeeding: calories, key nutrients, fish, caffeine, supplements, and looking after your mental health.Explore nutrition & health WeaningWhat the AAP and WHO recommend, child-led and parent-led weaning, a gradual approach and the feelings that can come after.Explore weaning
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Free calculators
Quick answers, worked out for you
Breastfeeding calorie calculatorEstimate how many calories you need a day while breastfeeding, based on your size, activity and how much your baby nurses.Breast milk feeding chartSee how much breast milk a baby typically drinks per feed and per day, from the first days to 6 months, in ounces and milliliters.Breast milk storage calculatorEnter when your milk was pumped or thawed and where it's stored, and see the exact date and time to use it by, based on CDC guidelines.Baby poop color chartPick the color in the diaper and see what it means, when to call the pediatrician and how many wet and dirty diapers to expect by age.Flange size calculatorMeasure your nipple in millimeters and get a starting breast pump flange size for each side, plus the signs of a good fit.Breastfeeding alcohol calculatorEnter your weight, your drinks and when you started to see when alcohol should be out of your breast milk.
You don't have to do this alone
Struggling with latching, pain or supply? Real help is closer than you think.
IBCLC lactation consultants, La Leche League leaders, WIC peer counselors and free helplines can help you in person, by phone or online.
About Breastfeeding Mom
Breastfeeding Mom is an independent guide for parents who breastfeed, pump or combine breast milk and formula. We explain the things that matter in everyday life, in plain words: how to get a comfortable latch and the right positions, how milk supply works, what to do about sore nipples, clogged ducts and mastitis, how to plan a pumping schedule and how long breast milk can be stored.
Every guide is based on current guidance from the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, NIH LactMed and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and lists its sources. Our free breastfeeding calculators give quick answers about calories, milk intake and storage times, and our breastfeeding statistics page gathers more than 100 verified figures in one place. And when you need a person rather than an article, our breastfeeding support directory shows where to find a lactation consultant, a La Leche League leader or a free helpline.