Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is important for you and your baby.

We understand how important breastfeeding is for the health of mom and babe, so it’s important we stay committed to supporting breastfeeding up to 2 years or older.

1. Special bond. Breastfeeding builds a special bond with baby.
2. Breast milk helps your baby fight off sickness and disease.
3. Ideal nutrition. Breast milk is perfect for baby’s growth and development.
4. Portable and ready. Breast milk is the right temperature and fresh at any time.
5. Any size. All shapes and breast sizes make the same nutritious milk for baby.
6. Saves Money. Breastfeeding is free and saves you money.
7. Helps mothers. Breastfeeding can protect mothers from many diseases.
8. Friendly planet. Breastfeeding is good for your baby and the environment.
9. All in one. Breastmilk is the only food baby needs for the first 6 months of life.
10. Brain power. Research states children who were breastfed score higher on tests.

Skin-to skin is a way of holding your baby that helps to comfort and nurture. The baby wears only a diaper and is held on the mother or father’s bare chest in an upright position.

• Increases bonding
• Breastfeeding easier
• Increases milk supply
• Helps mom recognize baby cues
• Baby will cry less and be soothed
• Baby will be protected by parents ‘good bacteria’
• Baby stays warm and is able to regulate body temperature
• Baby will have better blood sugar levels and hear rate regulation

Milk Supply Video

Look for your baby’s early signs of wanting to feed such as:

• Rooting reflex – Baby will turn their head and open their mouth in search of food when you touch their mouth or cheek
• Licking Lips – Baby will to lick their lips or put their hand to their mouth
• Crying is a late hunger cue and will need to be settled before feeding

Baby should breastfeed often with no time schedule.  Early on baby should breastfeed no less than 8 times in 24 hours or on demand and showing adequate signs of output and weight gain.

Breastfeeding Basics Video

There are many different breastfeeding positions to use.  Breastfeeding should be comfortable for mom therefore positions will be unique to each individual situation. Using a breastfeeding position that is comfortable will help ensure the latch provides optimal milk transfer to baby.

Breastfeeding Positions:

• Cross-cradle position: This position is a good start for early breastfeeding. It allows for more control if baby is small and if the baby needs support to stay latched.

• Cradle position: This position can be used once breastfeeding is established and the latch is comfortable.

• Football position: This position is used when baby is small, mom has large breasts or a cesarian section incision.

• Side Lying position: This position works well if mom has large breasts, has had a cesarian incision or if mom has a sore bottom and cannot sit comfortably.

Breastfeeding Positions Video

There are many reasons why a mother may need to express breast milk some reasons for expressing breast milk are as follows;

• Increasing breastmilk supply
• Painful or difficulty with latching
• Prolonged separation from baby

Expressing breastmilk can be done using hand expression or mechanical pump. Hand expression can provide good results if the technique is done correctly. Hand expression takes time to learn however it requires less equipment, no cost and can be done at anytime as needed.

It is important to note, excessive mechanical pumping after delivery can produce an oversupply or abundant milk supply for baby therefore consult your nurse for more information on expressing breastmilk.

Hand expression Post Card Document

Hand Expression Video

If mom cannot breastfeed, baby can be fed expressed breast milk or breast milk substitutes using a bottle.  It is important to understand risks and benefits to using other methods of feeding. If bottle feeding is used it is important to also understand how to ‘pace bottle’ feed baby to ensure baby is tolerating bottle feeding.