Right after birth, a baby will drink milk. This milk comes in different stages depending on the babies age and needs. For about six months, until babies stored iron is used up and their bellies have developed enough bacteria to digest new foods, milk is the only food they need. In fact, breastmilk is the only complete food we humans ever consume in our life. During this short time it is everything needed to develop properly.

One of the big question every future mom will have to answer at one point in her pregnancy is whether she will breastfeed her child or use formula. And most of the time, the person who asks will have an opinion of their own. Meanwhile it is a highly personal choice that depends on a variety of factors. As everything in parenthood, it is important to know as much as possible about it beforehand to make informed choices and have an alternative for when things don’t go as planned.

The Milk stage starts right after birth since it is the first food your baby can digest until about 4-6 months old. Milk is a big part of your first 40 days. You will learn your babies cues for hunger and satiation as well as how to feed your baby, what position feels good for both of you, where you feel most comfortable at and who feeds your baby when, if your partner or someone else is able to jump in. But, like everything that comes with new parenthood, it is not as easy as it always seems.