Prepare before your baby is born
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Talk to your healthcare provider
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Attend classes through your hospital or WIC
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Build a support team – your health care provider, lactation professional, peer support group, home health nurses and WIC clinic may be available to support you!
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Sign up for FREE text messages on prenatal care, baby health, parenting and more! Text4Baby – Sign up by texting BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411
Provide a good start in the first days
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Breastfeed or chestfeed within the first hour after baby is born.
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Hold your baby skin to skin in the first days and beyond
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Let baby set the pace and feeding schedule – follow their cues.
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Feed baby at least 8-12 times a day.
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Your milk only (unless baby needs supplementation for medical reasons) and let others know. Avoid bottles or pacifiers until breastfeeding or chestfeeding is consistent.
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Lean on your support network.
