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Breastfeeding Basics

Breastfeeding Styles

Just as babies have different personalities, so too do they exhibit a variety of breastfeeding styles. Some babies latch on and start sucking immediately; others take a slow and easy approach. Remember, breastfeeding is not only a mode of providing nutrition, it is also a special way of nurturing your baby. Although the terms "breastfeeding" and "nursing" are used interchangeably, breastfeeding can be used to describe the nutritive sucking (slow, long, drawing, rhythmic sucking accompanied by swallowing) during feeding, and nursing can be used to describe the non-nutritive sucking (lighter, faster and less intense with minimal or no swallowing) when the baby is relaxing at the breast. Babies will often suck quickly and intensely at the breast when they first attach to initiate let-down (milk ejection reflex) before settling into the rhythmic deep sucking that characterizes breastfeeding.

This publication is for general informational purposes only and it is not intended to provide any reader with specific authority, advice or recommendations. Where you deem necessary, we suggest that you seek advice regarding your particular situation from the appropriate professional.

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