0-6 Months

Yes, it seems like another pregnancy miracle, but it’s true—your body produces the perfect baby food: Breast milk. For starters, learn as much as you can even before baby arrives (it’s an ideal part of you being prepared to breastfeed)—and follow this guide! You’ll be aware of common challenges and feel ready to get this wonderful bonding experience off to a good start for both you and your baby.

Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months, and sustained for up to two years or longer with appropriate complementary feeding is important for the nutrition, immunologic protection, growth, and development of infants and toddlers and has many benefits for you as well.

Just as it was important to eat right while you were pregnant, it's also vital that you continue to do so while breastfeeding. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you adapt to life as a nursing mom. 

Did you know that your breast milk changes to meet the needs of your baby? During the first few days after birth you will produce colostrum, a nutrient-rich milk, in small amounts, perfect for your baby’s tiny tummy. By the second week your breast milk will change to mature milk to meet your baby’s growing needs.

Experts agree breast milk is best for babies. Not only is it the most nutritionally complete food your newborn will ever have, but it also benefits you and your baby in other ways, some that will last a lifetime.

Take action with these tips to try.

Your baby’s first focus? She’ll use her eyes and ears, along with her sense of smell and touch, to learn her new world.

Let’s talk baby talk! No, not words just yet, but the language basics begin here!

Ideas for fitting new and fun games into your baby’s routine. 

Tummy time can start soon after you bring your baby home from the hospital. Just don’t expect too much. At first your newborn will struggle to lift their head even a tiny bit while on their stomach. Tummy time is hard, tiring work! A few seconds at a time, several times a day, is a great start. You can gradually increase the amount of time your baby spends on their tummy as long as they’re happy and comfortable—and always be there to supervise. 

Scientists agree that good sleep is important for healthy growth, so follow our all-day guide to better sleep for baby.

How will you feed your newborn?

Choosing a feeding method can weigh on any parent’s mind—so here’s what you can consider when it comes to meeting your baby’s nutrition needs.

Formula. It’s full of nutrition—but how you prep and store it can serve up some questions, too.

Your baby’s growing (so fast!) and his digestive system is developing, too.

There is growing evidence that factors in the environment, including baby's first foods and the time of their introduction, can play a critical role when a child develops allergies.

Depending on their level of hunger, your baby’s cues may become very obvious to you. The longer their hunger cues go unanswered, though, the more vocal and focused they will be to communicate that they're hungry.