Breastfeeding

It is undeniable that breastmilk is the standard, normal food for babies.  There are instances where your  breastmilk may not be better than milk from a milk bank, or even formula (illegal drug use, chemotherapy treatment, etc), but in the vast majority of instances, anything but breastmilk is substandard nutritional replacement.  Every time you breastfeed your baby, you are giving an invaluable gift.  Breastmilk contains the exact balance of nutrients, immunoglobins, vitamins, and minerals that your baby needs at that particular time.  In fact, your breastmilk's composition changes from the beginning of a feeding to the end, and a woman with a premature baby will produce different levels of necessary nutrients and immunity-instilling immunoglobins than a woman with a healthy full-term baby!  It is simply amazing how perfectly your breasts work to sustain your baby.

That said, breastfeeding is a learned art, and all mothers need supportive women to mentor, guide, and instruct them during the establishment of their breastfeeding relationships.  In cultures around the world that support breastfeeding, women typically learn early breastfeeding skills from seeing their friends and family breastfeed.  This is not typically the case in the US, making it more important for breastfeeding women to seek out their support networks.  Women in the US also need support from partners, husbands, friends, and family.  The most important support person for a successful breastfeeding relationship is your partner.  Women who have an unsupportive partner are much less likely to succeed in breastfeeding.

I highly recommend learning about breastfeeding and pulling together a breastfeeding support team when you are pregnant.  La Leche League leaders are usually well-versed in common breastfeeding setbacks and can lend initial advice.  LLL even has a 24-hour hotline now (see resources page). 

Lactation consultants (LC) have completed training in breastfeeding (training depends on who they trained through and whether or not they received certification; IBCLC is the best).  It is good to have the phone number of an IBCLC in your list of important postpartum numbers in case you have any special concerns (breast implants? inverted nipples? premature baby?).  Most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff.  It can be of immense benefit for you to request a visit from the on-staff LC during your postpartum recovery stay, especially if you have any discomfort while attempting to breastfeed or you have any concerns or questions. 

I also recommend learning how to manually express breastmilk (without a pump).  Some women have a hard time getting a pump that fits correctly, I'm convinced that all breastfeeding women are met with an occasion for needing to express milk unexpectedly at some point, and women who have premature babies have a special need for this simple, effective means of getting that "liquid gold" to their little ones.  There are many reasons to learn to manually express breastmilk.

I have been personally trained in breastfeeding support and can offer some basic support and information, as well as professional referrals if necessary.

See the Resources page for local and online links.