Getting Started

Breastmilk is good for your baby. It is superior to any alternative form of infant formula and is uniquely designed to meet the nutritional needs of your infant. It contains antibodies which will help protect your baby against illness. Breastfeeding is easy, inexpensive, and convenient; there are no bottles to wash and no formula to prepare. Breastmilk is easy to digest, and less allergenic, thus there are fewer problems with constipation and diarrhea. Breastfeeding provides a special bonding for baby and mother. It also helps mom get back into shape by contracting the uterus.

While breastfeeding may be the natural thing to do, it helps to know a little about how to do it. Here are a few steps to help you get started.

  • Wash hands with soap and water.
  • Hold your baby close to your breast and turn your baby so you are tummy to tummy.
  • Hold the breast in your hand and gently stroke the babies lips with the nipple until the baby opens wide. Your baby has a "rooting reflex" which will make him turn his mouth toward your touch.
  • Pull the baby onto your breast, helping him to take in as much of the brown area of the nipple as possible.
  • Nurse the baby on both breasts, about 10 minutes per side, burping in between.
  • To remove the baby from the breast, place your finger in the corner of his mouth to break the suction.
  • Proper positioning of the baby on the breast and using different positions to hold your baby while nursing is very important to reduce nipple soreness.

Date Updated: Oct 27 2024 20:22 Version 0.1

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Customzed from Breastfeeding Article v0.1 7/7/2025

Is Your Child Sick?®

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Measles update

February 12, 2026
There have been cases of measles in NC, with exposures in Chapel Hill, Durham, and Wake County. We can give the MMR dose early to families who want it. This applies to infants 6-12 months who have not gotten a dose yet or kids under 4-5 years who have not gotten their second MMR dose. At this time, the NC DHHS and health departments are not recommending this unless traveling or living in an area with sustained transmission. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective (97%) at preventing measles infections. At CHCAC, children receive their first dose at 12 months of age and a second dose at 4 years of age, ensuring they are fully protected as soon as possible, in accordance with the most up-to-date AAP recommendations. Some infants aged 6 months to 11 months who travel internationally or in high-prevalence areas may need a dose to protect them; however, they still require the 1-year and 4-year-old doses as well. If you are ever concerned about a possible exposure to measles, please CALL before entering our office. DO NOT ENTER the office. NC DHHS keeps a list of areas with measles exposures here . This is a highly contagious illness, and special precautions must be taken to prevent spread. The virus can be present in the air for 2 hours after an infected person is in the room, and 90% of susceptible patients can be infected. As always, if you have questions, we are here to help make sense of it all!