You’ve stocked up on diapers, worked to get the car seat installed correctly, and assembled the crib. She is now anxiously awaiting the birth of her baby. But whether you’re a new mom or an experienced mom, you may still have questions about another vital part of caring for your baby: feeding.
August is National Breastfeeding Month, and August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week. Because of its many benefits to mother and baby, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding even after solid foods are introduced.
While some parents-to-be are determined to breastfeed their babies, others aren’t so sure. Yet even among the best-intentioned, breastfeeding can be difficult, experts acknowledge. “Many people think that because breastfeeding is natural, it’s easy and they don’t need to do anything to prepare,” says Grisel Gigato, RN and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at South Miami Hospital. , which is part of Baptist Health.
“The reality,” she adds, “is that it can be challenging. But with a little education and support, you can likely work through any issues and give your baby the best start in life.”
There is no doubt that breastfeeding provides a baby with immunity against many diseases, decreases the chance of recurrent ear infections, reduces the chance of childhood obesity and disease later in life, and much more.
“For the baby, it’s the perfect food,” says Anne-Marie Sawicki, a registered nurse and IBCLC at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health. “It has the perfect amount of calories, protein, and fat, and it gets your gut off to a good, healthy start.”
For the mother, the benefits include a reduced risk of premenopausal breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
Before childbirth
For the best breastfeeding experience, Baptist Health lactation consultants suggest taking these steps before your due date:
- Make sure your obstetrician, midwife, or other caregivers know that you want to breastfeed your baby. Have a birth plan.
- Find out. Read books and articles. Watch videos about breastfeeding. Take a lactation class and/or make an appointment with a lactation consultant, especially if you think you may have a problem with flat or inverted nipples, previous breast surgery, or a health condition.
- Gather supplies for breastfeeding. You don’t need a lot of extra gear, which is why women talk about the comfort of breastfeeding. However, a few basic supplies like a breast pump, storage bags, nursing bras, and other items will go a long way.
- If you plan to work outside the home after your baby is born, check with your human resources department about your company’s lactation policies. Make sure there is a clean, quiet, and private place where you can express your milk, and that you have enough time to do so. In addition, you will need a place to store the milk safely.
The first days
- Immediately after birth, the goal of the mother-baby team is for the baby to be in skin-to-skin contact for bonding and potentially feeding. “That magic hour after delivery is so important,” says Sawicki. “As long as the mother and baby are okay, we put them skin to skin. There is no pressure to breastfeed.” Even if the mother has had a C-section, if all is well, skin-to-skin contact can be started.
- Ask that the baby stay in your room after delivery if everyone is healthy.
- Take advantage of breastfeeding education while you are in the hospital. “We will come and help you with the technique or how to express milk by hand. Some babies have to learn to coordinate their sucking,” says Gigato. “We are there to help you.”
- Keep in mind that your milk supply may take several days to fully come in, but the baby receives nutrients from colostrum, the first phase of breast milk produced by the mother’s breasts.
- Try to rest when your baby rests. This will help milk production and recovery. And talk to your lactation consultant about when, or if, you should wake your baby to breastfeed.
Special circumstances or health problems
Special circumstances require special measures. If the baby has to go to nursery or neonatal intensive care unit, or the mother has health problems, there may be a time of separation. Baptist Health doctors, nurses and lactation consultants will work closely with you to ensure proper nutrition. The options are adapted to each person. They can include things like supplemental feeding systems, donor breast milk, and more.
“It is important to seek help as soon as possible if you are experiencing breast pain, engorgement or another problem. There is no need to suffer,” says Sawicki. “Support is available through your obstetrician, your pediatrician, lactation consultants in the hospital and the community.”
Parents often wonder if their breastfed baby is getting enough to eat. Experts say to watch for wet and dirty diapers, check that the baby is latching on well, listen for the sound of swallowing or swallowing, and watch the baby to see if he is full (or drunk on milk). , How do you say). When you visit your pediatrician for the first time after delivery, it’s a good time to talk about your baby’s weight, your eating habits, how to adjust to upcoming growth spurts, and much more.
And remember, lactation consultants say you should ask for help, whether it’s someone who brings you food or comes to do your laundry.
In addition to South Miami Hospital and Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Baptist Health hospitals that offer maternity services include Baptist Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Homestead Hospital and Bethesda Hospital East. For more information on breastfeeding.
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