Fact: 99% of all mothers around the world can make enough breast milk to feed one baby, or multiple babies, if they learn how. It's all in the technique.

Fact: Babies and mothers with special needs or circumstances can also learn to breastfeed their baby and give them mother's milk with help, time, and patience.

Breastfeeding is simple and natural only after you understand the basics—which includes . . .

Here's how . . .

Initiate breastfeeding for the first time as soon after birth as possible, using proper technique, including "let-down," and ask to "room-in" with your baby, breastfeeding "on-demand" between 8-12 times per day throughout the first six to eight weeks of life.

Supply and demand definitely applies to breastfeeding—the more you breastfeed, the more milk you'll make. The more milk you make in the first days, weeks, and months—the longer you and your baby will enjoy the health benefits and bonding that long-term, extended breastfeeding brings.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends . . .

. . . that breastfeeding begin within the first hour after birth, emphasizing " exclusive breastfeeding " —no water, glucose water or infant formula should be given to a breastfeeding newborn unless there are medical indications. Mothers should provide expressed breast milk for times when they are separated from their babies because of infant or maternal illness. In order to assist mothers who must express milk, hospitals should provide them with quality breast pumps.

The World Health Organization recommends . . .

. . . breastfeeding your baby exclusively (no water, formula, juice, or solid food) for the first six months of life, and then continuing to breastfeed until the second year of age, or longer, as mutually desired by both mother and child.

Fact—Globally, all governments and experts promote exclusive breastfeeding for six months and extended breastfeeding as long as possible.

Fact—Breastfeeding is "dose-related," meaning the longer you breastfeed—the greater the benefits.

Great news! This means that most everyone, today, is aware of the unlimited benefits that only mother's milk can provide—but sadly, many whole-hearted attempts to breastfeed result in failure because the mother did not have the correct knowledge to get off to the right start , including understanding proper technique and how to avoid breastfeeding problems in the first place.

Almost all pediatricians will tell you more motherhood tears are shed over breastfeeding issues than anything else. Most mothers want to breastfeed their baby, they just don't know how.

Why? Because most new moms do not realize breastfeeding is a learned art that requires practice and patience. Optimal learning should take place before the baby enters the world, not a week or two after delivery.

Breastfeeding problems can be avoided if you understand the basics of breastfeeding.

Fact: Proper breastfeeding technique (positioning/latching/sucking) and "let-down" of milk is crucial to exclusive (no formula, water, food) breastfeeding and long-term breastfeeding success. It is only natural after you learn how it all works, which takes education, time, and patience.