The first step towards successful breastfeeding is to make the decision before having a baby. It is a good idea to talk to someone with experience, seek information, read books and magazines or surf the Internet.

Breastfeeding can begin immediately after the baby is born. In most maternity wards babies can be put on their mother's stomach straight after birth. This first close contact greatly promotes breastfeeding. Immediately after birth the baby is often awake. It eagerly searches for the breast and wants to suckle. The baby can be helped by carefully supporting it under the soles of its feet so it can crawl or push itself up from the stomach and all the way to the breast. It will eagerly search for the breast and start suckling as soon as it is there.

It is important that the breasts are stimulated as soon as possible, as the quantity of milk depends on how often the baby suckles.