Breastfeeding
Breastmilk is perfect for growing babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The World Health Organization recommend that babies be given nothing but breastmilk for about six months.
The Seton Healthcare Family provides care after delivery to you and your baby together to allow your baby to breastfeed whenever he or she wants. The staff that will care for you has been trained to help you latch and position your newborn to breastfeed, and to help you learn to recognize when your baby is ready to eat. Lactation consultants are also available at each hospital to help with breastfeeding and answer questions about any special circumstances if needed.
Newborns breastfeed eight to twelve times daily around the clock, so new mothers need to rest frequently, especially during daytime hours. It is best to limit the amount of visitors you plan to have during your hospital stay and to keep their visits short.
It is a good idea to take a breastfeeding class during your pregnancy. The Seton Healthcare Family offers great breastfeeding classes. You may sign up for a breastfeeding class by calling the parent education number listed in the back of this booklet. If you would like to look online for breastfeeding information, several good web sites are also listed, as well as useful telephone numbers. When you are admitted to the hospital you will receive an instructional breastfeeding booklet to take home and additional resources will be provided.
The Texas Department of State Health Service's Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC) is a very good resource for breastfeeding education.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
| Babies who breastfeed have decreased risks of: | Mothers benefit from breastfeeding too | Breastfeeding benefits communities |
|---|---|---|
| SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome | Return to pre-pregnancy weight quicker | Billions of dollars saved in health care for the US |
| Diabetes | Less bleeding after birth | Less missed days from work |
| Respiratory infections | Decreased risk of breast cancer | Less harm to the environment |
| Ear infections | Decreased risk of ovarian cancer | Less water used |
| Allergies & Asthma | Possible decreased risk of hip fracture and osteoporosis | Lower energy demand |
| Some cancers | ||
| Overweight & Obesity |
Tips for Nursing Mothers in the first few days
Ask to hold your baby skin to skin against your chest with nothing in between as soon as possible after delivery.
Keep your baby skin to skin with you after delivery until the first feed.
Allow your baby to breastfeed as soon as you notice any hunger cues. Early hunger cues include babies turning their heads to search for the breast, opening their mouths, lip smacking or sucking on their hands.
The first milk your body makes is called colostrum. Colostrum is very good for your baby and all your baby needs for the first few days of life.
Letting your baby nurse often is the best way to help your body to make a good milk supply.
It is normal for a newborn to breastfeed well for a few hours after birth and then become very sleepy.
To wake a sleepy baby, try unwrapping, undressing, changing the diaper, and especially letting your baby stay with you skin to skin for a while before trying to feed.
Most newborns eat more often at night and may become sleepy during daytime hours.
Pacifiers may make it hard to notice when your baby is hungry and cause your baby to eat less often than needed. It is best to wait until breastfeeding is going well, usually around 3-4 weeks before giving your baby a pacifier.