• TV SCHEDULES |
  • VIDEO |
  • TV SHOWS |
  • SHOP
  • Daily TV Schedule
  • Weekly TV Schedule
  • Adventures in Parenting
  • Baby Madness
  • Dr. G: Medical Examiner
  • I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant
  • My Teen's a Nightmare
  • I'm Pregnant And ...
  • Psych Week
  • New Year, New You
  • World's Worst Teens
  • TV Specials
Discovery Health Finder Discovery Health Newsletters
  • Diseases & Conditions
  • Human Body
  • Love & Relationships
  • Medicine
  • Mental Health
  • Pregnancy & Parenting
  • Sexual Health
  • Skin Care
  • Wellness
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular Conditions
  • Cold & Flu
  • Headache
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Osteoporosis
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Digestive Health
  • Pain Management
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Musculoskeletal Conditions
  • Rare Diseases
  • Respiratory Conditions
  • Death & Dying
  • Body Parts
  • Body Systems
  • Cells & Tissues
  • Dating
  • Relationship Advice
  • Relationship Tips
  • Love
  • Marriage
  • Modern Medicine
  • Medications
  • Tests & Treatment
  • Surgeries & Procedures
  • Healthcare System
  • First Aid
  • Army Medicine
  • Human Nature
  • Sleep & Dreams
  • Anxiety
  • Autism
  • Coping
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Mental Disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Neurological Conditions
  • Great Psychologists
  • Pregnancy
  • Baby Health
  • Parenting
  • Teenage Health
  • Childhood Conditions
  • Male Reproductive System
  • Female Reproductive System
  • Contraception
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Sexuality
  • Daily Skin Care
  • Skin Cleansing
  • Skin Moisturizing
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Skin Problems
  • Skin Information
  • Skin Care for Men
  • Underarm Care
  • Scalp Care
  • Lip Care
  • Nail Care
  • Beauty & Hygiene
  • Diet & Fitness
  • Drugs & Alcohol
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Natural Medicine
  • Preventive Care
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Stress Management
  • Cosmetic Treatments
  • Aging
  • Men's Health
  • Women's Health
  • Discovery Fit & Health > 
  • Guides > 
  • Pregnancy & Parenting > 
  • Pregnancy > 
  • Postpartum Care

by Christina Breda

Print
Cite This!
Close 
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

Breda, Christina.  "Breastfeeding Basics: What You Need to Know to Get Started"  23 May 2005.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/postpartum-care/breastfeeding-basics.htm>  22 May 2012.
Cite
Feedback

Do you know the popular baby names?

Take the Quiz

Inside this Article
  1. Breastfeeding Basics
  2. How to Breastfeed
  3. Feeding Schedule
  1. Breastfeeding FAQ
  2. Breastfeeding Diet
  3. How Long Should You Breastfeed?
  4. See more »
    1. Lots More Information
    2. See all Postpartum Care articles

Lots More Information

Related Articles

  • Breast-feeding Quiz
  • How Breastfeeding Works
  • Does breast-feeding make better babies?
  • Is the breast best for you?
  • What to Feed Baby and When
  • Breastfeeding: What Dad Can Do
Previous Page

You Might Also Like

How To Calculate Your Pregnancy Due Date

Once your pregnancy has been confirmed, what you most want to know is your due date. The average length of a pregnancy is 40 weeks from the first day of the last normal menstrual period. Here's an example of how it works.

What's the difference between a midwife and a doula?

People ask pregnant women a lot of questions. What names are you considering? When are you due? Do you know if it's a boy or a girl? Are you going to use a midwife or a doula -- or both -- and just what's the difference, anyway?

Popular Articles

  • How to Prepare for Childbirth
  • How does pregnancy affect the senses of smell and taste?
  • Miscarriage Questions
Inside this Article
  1. Breastfeeding Basics
  2. How to Breastfeed
  3. Feeding Schedule
  4. Breastfeeding FAQ
  1. Breastfeeding Diet
  2. How Long Should You Breastfeed?
  3. Lots More Information
  4. See all Postpartum Care articles
Previous Page

A Conception Story

FPO
  • Amber's Journal
  • Becky and Steve's Journal
  • Bari and Chad's Journal
  • Conception Q&A
  • Watch Videos
  • See More»

Oral Health Guide

FPO
  • Oral Hygiene 101
  • How to Relieve a Toothache
  • 5 Benefits of Electric Toothbrushes
  • 10 Tips to Cure Bad Breath
  • See more >>»

SYMPTOM CHECKER

DISEASES A-Z

Learn more about what ails you. Here are some common symptoms.

See all »

Common Symptoms:

  • Back Pain
  • Breast Lump
  • Chest Pain
  • Chills
  • Dizziness
  • Dry Skin
  • Fever
  • Joint Pain
  • Rash
  • Sunburn

A comprehensive guide with three thousand articles, including images and multimedia.

See all �

Common Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Headache
  • Heart Disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke

Shop TLC

Meade Basic Camera Adapter
Meade Basic Camera Adapter
$35.00
SHOP NOW »
  • Aquarium Care of Goldfish Book (Paperback)
    $8.99
  • Cake Decorating for Dummies (Paperback)
    $19.99
  • Yoga Journal Yoga Pose Encyclopedia DVD
    $19.95
OUR SITES
  • Animal Planet
  • Discovery Channel
  • Discovery Kids
  • Discovery Fit & Health
  • HD Theater
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Military Channel
  • Oprah Winfrey Network
  • Planet Green
  • Science Channel
  • TLC
  • Turbo
  • Consumer Guide Auto
  • Consumer Guide Products
  • Discovery Education
  • Discovery News
  • HowStuffWorks
  • Petfinder
  • Student Competitions
  • TreeHugger
VIDEO
  • Discovery Health Video
SHOP
  • Discovery Store
  • DVDs & Books
  • Custom Gear
  • Toys & Games
  • Gift Sets
  • Sale
  • Discovery Adventures
  • Student Adventures
  • Discovery TSX
  • Discovery Corporate Sales
STAY CONNECTED
  • Email Newsletters
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
CORPORATE
  • Discovery Communications, LLC
  • Viewer Relations
  • Advertising
  • Careers @ Discovery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visitor Agreement

Copyright © 2012 Discovery Communications, LLC. The number-one nonfiction media company.