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 feed 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. 

I highly recommend that you begin going to La Leche League meetings when you are pregnant so that you may see women breastfeeding and learn a few things about it before you are trying it yourself.  LLL leaders are usually well-versed in common breastfeeding setbacks and can lend initial advice. 

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?).  Every hospital in Colorado Springs has lactation consultants on staff.  It will be of immense benefit for you to request a visit during your recovery stay, especially if you have any discomfort while attempting to breastfeed or you have any concerns or questions. 

See the Resources page for local and online links.