Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby.

It meets
essentially all of the nutritional needs of full-term babies until
approximately six months of age, when solid foods are usually added to
the diet. Contains just the right amount of lactose, water, fatty
acid, and amino acids.

Benefits of breastfeeding
It has all the nutritional benefits that your baby needs.
Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula.
Breast-fed babies receive antibodies from breast milk- Lower incidence
of ear infections, diarrhea, allergies, and hospital admissions.
Breastfeeding is economical.
Milk is always at the right temperature and is readily available.

Importance of early breastfeeding

Colostrum benefits- During the first few days after birth, your
breasts naturally produce colostrum, or "first milk," which is a gold
or yellow liquid that is rich in nutrition and healthy antibodies that
help protect your baby from infections. Although the quantity of
colostrum is small, it provides all of the nutrition that the baby
needs in the first few days as long as they are receiving it
frequently.

Establishment of milk supply – Frequent breastfeeding (or pumping)

signals the breasts to make more milk. This is a natural "demand and
supply" system, in which your body adapts to meet your baby's needs.
During the first few days after birth, frequent and effective suckling
(at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours) provides the needed signaling to
your body.

When to feed?
It is very important to breastfeed a newborn at least 8 to 12 times
within a 24 hour-period during the first week of the baby’s life. The
infant should be fed whenever he/she shows signs of hunger. These
signs may include: - Making noises or yelling - Crying - Sucking on
his/her fist or finger - Placing hands in mouth - Moving the arms or
legs - Closing the fists tight - Moving the head when his/her cheek or
mouth
is touched.
Breastfeeding technique

Laid back nursing position

1. Remove your top and nursing bra and get into a reclined position
on your bed, a sofa, or a chair.
 2. You should be skin-to-skin, with your baby's belly touching
yours and their head at the level of your breasts. They will then
begin to smell and feel their way to your nipple. Once they find
it, they will move their head back and forth, open their mouth
wide, latch on and begin to nurse.
3. You can hold and support their body, lead them to your breast,
touch them, or just snuggle with them.
4. Adjust their latch as needed so that they get a full mouthful of
the nipple and areola in order to stimulate milk production.
Cradle Hold
The cradle hold is similar to the cross-cradle hold, but you support
the baby with the arm on the same side as the nursing breast, rather
than the opposite arm.
As with the cross-cradle hold, sit up straight — preferably in a chair
with armrests.
Cradle your baby in an arm, with your baby's head resting comfortably
in the crook of your elbow while he or she faces your breast. For
extra support, place a pillow on your lap.
Cross Cradle Hold
The cross-cradle hold is ideal for early breastfeeding. Sit up
straight in a comfortable chair with armrests. Bring your baby across
the front of your body, tummy to tummy. Hold your baby in the crook of
the arm opposite the breast you're feeding from — left arm for right
breast, right arm for left. Support the back of the baby's head with
your open hand. With the other hand, support your breast from the
underside in a U-shaped hold. Guide the baby's mouth to your breast.
Don't bend over or lean forward. Instead, cradle your baby close to
your breast.
Football hold
Hold your baby beside you, with your elbow bent. With your open hand,
support your baby's head and face him or her toward your breast. Your
baby's back will rest on your forearm. It might help to support your
breast in a C-shaped hold with your other hand. For comfort, put a
pillow on your lap and use a chair with broad, low arms.

Football hold for twins

If you have twins, you might choose to breastfeed them separately at
first to see how each baby is doing. Later, if you'd rather breastfeed
them at the same time, try the football hold — with one baby in each
arm.
Hold one baby on each side, with your elbows bent. Your babies' backs
will rest on your forearms. For comfort, put pillows on your lap and
use a chair with broad, low arms.
Side-lying position
A lying position might be a good choice when you're resting — although
it's important to return the baby to his or her own bed to sleep.
Lie on your side and face your baby toward your breast, supporting him
or her with one hand. With the other hand, grasp your breast and touch
your nipple to your baby's lips. Once your baby latches on, use one
arm to support your own head and the other to help support the baby
and bring him or her close.