The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly endorses breastfeeding based on research findings of the benefits of breastfeeding with regard to an infant's general health, growth and development. Breastfeeding may also enhance cognitive development and significantly decrease risk for many acute and chronic diseases later in life.

Breastfeeding benefits mom too. Lactating women have an earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight, delayed resumption of ovulation and better child spacing, improved postpartum bone remineralization with reduced hip fractures later in life and reduced risk of ovarian cancer and pre-menopausal breast cancer.

There are some cases when breastfeeding is not advisable namely in infants with galactosemia and in infants whose mother uses illegal drugs, has untreated active tuberculosis or is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Breastfeeding should begin quickly - usually within an hour of birth. Newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger, including increased alertness or activity, mouthing or rooting. Crying is a late indicator of hunger.

New mothers worry if their baby is eating enough. AAP suggests:

• Newborns should be nursed approximately 8 to 12 times every 24 hours for usually 10 to 15 minutes on each breast.
• Babies should be aroused to feed every four hours during the first few weeks.
• Mothers should keep a log of breastfeeding including frequency, duration and the baby's elimination patterns. By a week of age babies should urinate six times per day and should produce three to four stools per day.