Babies should receive only breastmilk or formula for the first 6 months of life.

Breast milk provides important health benefits for both you and your baby. It helps build your baby’s immune system, protecting them from illness, it supports healthy growth and development, and it strengthens the emotional bond between you and your baby.

Tips for Success

1. Start breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth.
2. Find a comfortable position and hold your baby close.
3. When your baby has a “good latch,” it should be comfortable to you and not hurt or pinch.
4. Aim to breastfeed every 1-3 hours, or whenever your baby shows signs of hunger, such as rooting or sucking on their fists.
5. To make sure your baby is getting enough milk, check their diapers. Once your breast milk is in, a healthy baby should have at least 6-8 wet diapers and 2-3 dirty diapers per day.

Pumping & Storage:

If you need to be away from your baby, pumping breast milk is a good option. Always make sure to use a clean breast pump and bottles. You can use the table below to make sure you are storing your breast milk safely.

Thawing & Warming Breast Milk

• Thaw the oldest breast milk first.
• Thaw frozen breast milk in the refrigerator overnight.
• Breast milk does not need to be warmed, but if you decide to warm it:
  • Keep the container sealed while warming
  • Hold it under warm running water or set it in a container of warm water.
  • Never use a microwave to warm breast milk, as it can damage important nutrients.
  • Test the temperature before feeding it to your baby by dropping some on your wrist. It should be body temperature, not hot.
• Swirl the thawed or warmed milk to mix the fat, which may have separated (do not shake).
• Use a bottle with a slow-flow nipple to mimic breastfeeding.

Returning to Work

Plan ahead for breastfeeding when you return to work. Find a comfortable space at your work to pump breast milk and create a schedule for pumping breast milk during your workday.

Need Support?

Arkansas Breastfeeding Helpline
Call: 501-202-7378 or 844-344-0408
Text: “arbff” to 61222

Arkansas WIC Breastfeeding Helpline
Call: 1-800-445-6175

Babies should receive only breastmilk or formula for the first 6 months of life.

If breastfeeding isn’t possible, infant formula is a healthy alternative. Look for formulas that are made specifically for infants and include iron. Make sure the container is in good condition. Learn more about choosing an infant formula.

How Much & How Often to Feed:

• Newborns usually need to eat every 2-3 hours.
• Start with 1-3 ounces of formula per feeding.
• As your baby grows, you’ll gradually increase the amount.

Preparation & Storage:

• Always follow the preparation instructions on the formula container.
• Prepared formula can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day (24 hours)

The leading cause of death for infants aged 1 month – 1 year is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDs), which includes sleep-related deaths and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

You can reduce the risk of all sleep-related deaths by following the recommendations below:

1. Put baby on their back.

The safest sleep position is on the back. Place all babies on their backs to sleep until they are 1 year old. It is not safe to place babies on their sides or stomachs to sleep, not even for a nap.

Once babies can roll over on their own, you can leave them in the position they choose after starting sleep on their back.

2. Use a firm, flat sleep surface.

Put baby in a crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard that meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Check the CPSC website for more information.

Soft surfaces, such as couches, sofas, memory foam, pillow-top mattresses, or thick blankets are not safe for babies to sleep on. Soft surfaces can increase risk of suffocation. Inclined or tilted surfaces are not safe for sleep, as they can cause baby’s head to slump forward. Make sure your crib mattress is designed for your specific crib and that it fits tightly.

In an emergency, you can temporarily put your baby to sleep in a box, basket, dresser drawer, or something similar. It should have thin, firm padding.

3. Keep things out of baby’s sleep area.

Remove everything from baby’s sleep area except a fitted sheet covering the mattress. Things in the sleep area can be dangerous for baby, especially if they are:

• Soft (e.g., pillows, plush toys, crib bumpers)
• Under or over baby (e.g., non-fitted blankets)
• Weighted (e.g., weighted swaddles)

If you’re worried about your baby getting cold, you can dress them in layers of clothing or use a wearable blanket or sleep sack.

4. Keep baby from overheating.

Baby can get hot or overheated if they are wearing too many layers of clothes and bedding. Dress baby in clothes suitable for the temperature of the room. Take off baby’s hat when inside.

Watch for signs that baby is too hot, such as:

• Sweating
• Flushing/red or hot skin
• Baby’s chest feeling hot to the touch

5. Share a room, not a bed.

Keep your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep for at least the first 6 months.

Room sharing is safer than sharing your bed with baby. Sharing an adult bed, couch, or armchair with baby can be risky; couches and armchairs are especially dangerous. If you accidentally fall asleep with your baby, put them back in a separate sleep area as soon as you wake up.

6. Stop swaddling once baby can roll over.

Even though swaddling does not reduce the risk of SIDS, some babies are calmer and sleep better when they are swaddled safely. However, once baby starts to roll over, swaddling can increase the risk of suffocation. Stop swaddling when they start rolling over (usually around 3 months of age).

Types of Car Seats

Infants should always be rear-facing in the car.

The type of seat your child needs depends on things like age, size, and developmental needs. Familiarize yourself with the various car seat types.

Installation

Always follow the car seat manual each time you install the seat. Ensure the car seat is installed tightly and does not move more than an inch side to side.

Everyone can benefit from professional installation help to make sure your child’s car seat is installed correctly. Find a car seat technician near you.

Fitting Your Baby

Your baby should fit snugly in the car seat, with the harness straps at or below their shoulders and the buckle in line with the armpits.

Do the “pinch test” to make sure the harness is snug enough: Pinch the harness at the shoulder. If you can pinch the webbing between your fingers, the harness is too loose.

Safety Considerations

1. Do not add any extra items (like positioners) to the car seat.
2. Avoid bulky clothing (like coats) or blankets before placing your baby in the seat.
3. Never use the car seat as a sleep space; your baby should sleep flat in a crib.
4. Keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Seek medical attention immediately if your baby has any of the following symptoms:

• Signs of jaundice: yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Trouble breathing, making unusual noises, or using their stomach muscles to breathe
• Not feeding well or seems lethargic

Bathing

Newborns don’t need a bath every day. Daily baths can dry out baby’s delicate skin. You can give your baby a sponge bath until the umbilical cord stump falls off. After that, you can begin giving your baby full baths in a small tub or sink.

Never leave your baby unattended in the bath.

Genital Care

Diaper Rash Prevention

Change diapers often and apply a barrier cream (like zinc oxide) to prevent rashes.

Infection Prevention

• Wash your hands with soap and water before handling your baby or preparing food. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
• Keep up with your baby’s vaccination schedule to protect against serious diseases.
• Keep your baby away from people who are sick.
• Continue breastfeeding. Breast milk helps protect your baby from infections.

Tobacco & Opiate Exposure

Tobacco Exposure: Exposure to tobacco smoke can harm your baby. If you or someone in your household smokes, seek help to quit. Visit Smoking and Your Baby for more information.

Opiate-Exposed Infants: If your baby has been exposed to opiates during pregnancy, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Monitor for signs like irritability, poor feeding, and difficulty sleeping. Contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Crying

Babies cry for lots of reasons, including hunger, discomfort, tiredness, or needing attention. Here are things you can try to comfort a crying baby:

• Swaddle your baby.
• Hold your baby in your arms and place them on their left side.
• Turn on a calming sound, such as a white noise device or a fan.
• Walk your baby in a body carrier or rock them.
• Avoid overfeeding (try to wait 2 – 2.5 hours between feedings).
• Offer a pacifier.

Crying can be tough for a parent to handle. It’s okay to take a break if you feel overwhelmed. Place your baby safely in their crib and step away for a moment.

Developmental Milestones to Consider

Tummy Time: Provide supervised tummy time daily to help your baby strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles. Aim for a few minutes several times a day.

Reading & Talking: Engage with your baby by reading to them and talking to them. This supports language development and strengthens your bond, even before they can understand you.