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A project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health

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A project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health
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womenshealth.gov

Empowering women to live healthier lives!

 
 

Breastfeeding

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The experience of breastfeeding is special for so many reasons – the joyful bonding with your baby, the cost savings, and the health benefits for both mother and baby. Read on for tips and suggestions to help you successfully breastfeed.


Topics

Why breastfeeding is important

  • Breastfeeding protects babies
  • Mothers benefit from breastfeeding
  • Breastfeeding benefits society
  • Breastfeeding during an emergency
 

Finding support and information

Learning to breastfeed

Common breastfeeding challenges

Breastfeeding in public

  • Laws protecting you
  • Tips for breastfeeding in public
  • Responding to criticism

Pumping and milk storage

  • Ways to express your milk (hand expression and pumping)
  • Storage of breast milk
  • Tips for freezing milk

Going back to work

  • Planning ahead for your return to work
  • Setting up a breastfeeding routine
  • Expressing milk at work

Breastfeeding and everyday life

Government in action on breastfeeding

Share your story


Andrea from Oklahoma says...

My 5th baby was born 7 weeks early, and was in NICU for 16 days. I had never pumped before, and was eager to get to actually nurse him instead of pumping. Even after he got home, I was told he was st... (more)

Read all the stories or share your own.

Features

Content last updated August 1, 2010.

Resources last updated August 1, 2010.

baby breastfeeding

womenshealth.gov
A federal government website managed by the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
200 Independence Avenue, S.W. • Washington, DC 20201