Total breastfeed.

The good news is that most mothers can fully breastfeed their baby if they wish to. Milk production is based on supply and demand. The more you feed your baby, the more milk you'll have for him.

If you wish to feed your baby totally, without supplementing with formula milk, then you should start from day 1. His first feed should be from your breast. If that is not possible, request that the hospital staff cup feed your baby when you cannot breast feed him. (most new borns can drink from a small cup). Feeding the baby from a cup ensures that he does not get used to the bottle. The way a baby drinks from a bottle is different from the way he suckles from your breast. The baby needs to 'milk' your breast to bring out the milk.

You have to take care of yourself too. Take calcium supplements. According to Anne Smith, an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation), "Calcium needs for milk production are met by increased bone resorption and and decreased urinary excretion, and taking calcium supplements doesn't
really make a difference during lactation. That doesn't mean it's a bad idea, because most women (lactating or not) could use extra calcium"

Take lots of fluid. Drink lots of water, soup, milk and fruit juices. Avoid alcohol and coffee. Drinking lots of fluid, together with feeding the baby regularly, and getting enough rest is key to producing lots of milk. That was what worked for me. Fish helped me a lot too. That is what the older generation of Asian women advised me to do. According to Anne Smith, "Excess fluid intake can actually inhibit milk production." So don't overdo it either.

Eat healthily. Get lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and protein rich foods like meat and milk and Soya bean products.

Sometimes, your baby keeps crying when you feed him. Then you start to doubt whether you have enough. The older generation, so used to feeding their children formula milk would probably start to nag, saying you don't have enough. It can be discouraging, but don't let it get to you.

First. Check if your baby is dirty. Maybe he can't feed because he needs a change of diapers.

Secondly, check if there really is a problem with milk supply for this particular feed. Squeeze the darkened area of the breast, around the nipple gently and inwards. See if any milk comes out. If there is milk, then maybe the baby just wants to burp. Burp him before trying to feed him again. If there isn't any milk, feed him from the other breast.

At any feed, when a baby starts to suckle, not much milk comes out. As the baby continues to suckle, your brain signals your breast to release the milk. That is called the let down reflex. When that occurs, milk flows out quickly and then easily. Some babies choke when this happens and get angry with you for that. Mine just ducked.

When you appear to have insufficient milk, it could be because you are too stressed or tense for the let down reflex to occur. Try to relax and make yourself comfortable before each feed. Change the baby's diaper too before you feed him, so he can feed comfortably.

When all else fails, by all means, bottle feed the baby to supplement that particular feed, but drink lots of water (I drank at least 3 glasses of water when I could not produce enough milk for a feed) and rest. If possible, try to express some milk an hour after you bottle-feed him, to stimulate milk flow. Breastfeed him again, the next time he asks for milk.

At times, you may be separated from your baby and be unable to breastfeed him directly. Express your milk every 3 hours to keep up your milk supply. You could try expressing the milk by hand or using a pump. Make sure the bottle and all that comes in contact with the milk is sterile. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 8 days according to the latest research (Info from Anne again).

Total breastfeeding is tough initially, but really worth it. For the 1st 2 to 3 weeks, it'll be really tough. Nipples hurt and are so sore. Don't worry. After the initial 2 or 3 weeks, you'll get used to it. After the first 6 weeks, milk flow is established. It becomes much easier to feed him and you'll have and easier time than your bottle feeding counterparts.

My thanks to Anne for her advice. She has a great site on breastfeeding where you can get great advice on successful breastfeeding.