1. Breastfeeding Education
The Best Start for your baby
Now is the time to get the facts so you can make a decision on how to feed your baby
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2. Breastfeeding is best for baby
Ideal nutrition to help baby grow
Less ear infections and respiratory infections
Less gastrointestinal infections and diarrhea
Less Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Less childhood obesity which means less chance of diabetes and other illnesses later in life
Less allergies
Higher IQ
Formula provides NO protection against infection or illness
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3. Breastfeeding has benefits for mom, too
Less ovarian and breast cancer
Get back to pre-pregnancy weight quicker
Easier
No bottles and nipples
No formula to prepare
Saves money
Breastfeeding is free!
WIC only covers part of formula cost
Breastfeeding mothers get larger food packages from WIC than mothers who are formula feeding
Breastfeeding hormones help mothers feel calm
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4. Skin-to-skin
Should start in the delivery room and as often as possible during your hospital stay
For maximum benefit, first skin-to-skin in the delivery room will be at least 60 minutes
Baby is dressed in hat and diaper and is placed next to your bare chest
Most babies will breastfeed while skin-to-skin in the delivery room
ALL babies benefit from skin-to-skin
Helps steady baby’s heartbeat and breathing
Helps keep baby warm
Helps calm baby
Calms mom, too
Improves bonding between you and your baby
Gets breastfeeding off to a good start
After the first skin-to-skin in the delivery room, anyone can do skin-to-skin including dads
We do skin-to-skin at Tampa
General
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5. Wait! Hold off on that bath!
What is vernix?
White protective material that is present on a newborn’s skin at birth
Absorbs into baby’s skin in about 24 hrs
Vernix should NOT be washed off
Benefits of vernix
Moisturizes skin – less cracking and peeling
Helps prevent infections
Other benefits of not bathing
Baby stays warmer
Blood sugars more stable
Longer skin-to-skin
More successful breastfeeding
Less stressful for baby
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6. Rooming-in
Rooming-in is when your baby stays with you in your hospital room all the time
More chances to bond with your baby
More chances to learn how to care for your baby
More chances to practice breastfeeding
Recognize when your baby is hungry so you can feed them when they are hungry instead of on a strict schedule.
This is called “on demand” feeding
We encourage 24 hour
rooming-in at Tampa General
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7. Feeding “on cue”
Feeding cues are signs a baby shows when they are hungry
Feeding “on cue” means feeding your baby when your baby is hungry
Feeding on cue prevents breastfeeding complications and helps your milk come in
Feeding on cue keeps baby happy
Feeding cues are:
Moving hands to mouth
Rooting (heads moves from side to side
with mouth open)
Sticking out tongue and mouth movements
Crying is a late sign – it’s better to feed before baby starts crying
Pacifiers cover up feeding cues. Your baby prefers you over a pacifier!
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8. A good latch A good latch is important How to get a good latch
Ensures you make enough milk
Ensures baby gets enough breast milk
Prevents sore nipples
How to get a good latch
Hold baby close with tummy and face facing you
Use one hand to support your breast and the other to support baby’s head. Tilt baby’s head back slightly.
Tickle baby’s upper lip with nipple
When mouth opens wide, bring baby to breast chin first
Lips should be flared out and chin should be pressed against your breast
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9. Breastfeeding Positions
Why it’s important:
Helps with good latch
Prevents sore nipples
Helps you make enough milk and helps baby get enough milk
Tips to get started:
Get comfortable
Use pillows to bring baby up to chest level
Baby’s ear, hip, and shoulder should be in a straight line
Bring baby to you. Don’t bend forward
Side-lying
Lie on your side and place the baby on her side facing you
This is a great position after a C-section
Cradle hold
Your forearm supports the baby’s back and your hand supports the baby’s bottom.
Hand opposite the breast baby is nursing can support the breast
Side-lying
Cradle hold
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10. Breastfeeding Positions
Cross cradle
Hold baby across your lap using the arm opposite the breast the baby is nursing on to support baby. Use the hand on the same side to support your breast.
Works well for small babies or when baby is having a hard time latching on
Football hold
Tuck baby under the arm of the side you are nursing on. Baby’s feet are facing your back and support the head as you bring baby to your breast.
Works well for C-sections and if you have large breasts
Cross cradle
Football hold
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11. Breastfeeding in the hospital
How often should I breastfeed?
When baby show signs of hunger
Your baby can breastfeed as often as he wants, but at least times in 24hrs which could be every 1-3 hours
You may need to wake baby up for feedings if he doesn’t feed at least 8 times in 24 hours
How long should he nurse?
Let him feed as long as he is actively sucking and swallowing
Why exclusive breastfeeding in the hospital?
Baby gets all the good colostrum
Giving a bottle may make it hard for baby to breastfeed correctly and baby may be less interested in breastfeeding
Helps your milk come in better
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12. How do I know my baby is getting enough breast milk at first?
He feeds 8-12 times in 24 hours with a good latch
You can hear him swallowing during feeds
He has 1-2 loose stools and at least 1-2 wet diapers per day in the hospital
Seems calm and satisfied between feeds
His stomach is very small at first
Cherry – day 1
Walnut – day 2
Ping pong ball – day 3
The amount of colostrum (first milk) you make is the perfect amount for his small stomach
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13. Breastfeeding for 6 months
The more breast milk your baby gets, the more they benefit – less infections and illness
Your baby may be less interested in breastfeeding if you give them formula, water or other types of food
Breast milk is all the nutrition your baby needs for 6 months
When you breastfeed less often, your breast milk supply will decrease
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months and longer if you want
WIC provides electric breast pumps for mothers who are exclusively breastfeeding
Insurance companies help with breast pump purchase also
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14. Breastfeeding after 6 months
You can still continue breastfeeding after 6 months when your baby starts to eat other food
Breast milk still contains important nutrition and helps fight infection
It is up to you and your baby to decide when to stop breastfeeding
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15. How we can help
You will have plenty of help at Tampa General if you have questions about breastfeeding
All nurses and doctors working in Prenatal Care offices, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, and Nursery have had special training to help mothers breastfeed
Tampa General also has nurses with extra training called lactation consultants
The staff at Tampa General will be supportive of your choice on how you want to feed your baby
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