Lactation services

Our lactation consultant and nursing staff provide education, support and assistance to nursing mothers throughout the hospital stay. Breastfeeding pumps, supplies and nursing aides are part of the tools used to assist each new mom toward breastfeeding success. Follow up lactation support continues after discharge by phone and by outpatient appointment. Our lactation consultant also provides on-going lactation support at the weekly, community Baby Stop Program, held at McKinley Early Childhood Center.

Important information about breastfeeding

Breastfeeding facts

The number of benefits to both mother and child resulting from breastfeeding is staggering. Although most people would generally agree that breastfeeding is good for the baby, the following summary of the impact it has on mothers, babies, and society will, undoubtedly, come as quite a surprise to many people:

Health benefits to babies who breastfeed

• Human milk provides children with the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients and antibiotics
• Breast milk has a varying composition which keeps pace with the infant’s growth and changing nutritional needs
• Protects against diarrhea, gastroenteritis and other stomach upsets
• Reduced risk of diabetes
• Reduced risk of ear infections and respiratory illness
  • Reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome
• Protects against meningitis, childhood lymphoma, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative entercolitis
• Reduced incidence and severity of allergic disease
  
• Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional development of babies
• Babies develop higher IQs, better brain and nervous system development
• Breastfeeding lessens the risk of heart disease in later life
• Increased bone density

Health benefits to moms who breastfeed

• Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers
• Reduced risk of anemia
• Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
• Helps return mothers body to its pre-pregnancy state faster
• Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies
• Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child
• Breast milk is free – reducing or eliminating the cost of formula
• Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family and requiring less time off work
• Decreased mortality of rheumatoid arthritis has been associated with total time of lactation

Benefits to the environment and society

• Breastfeeding reduces the cost of healthcare by promoting healthier children and mothers
• Breastfeeding reduces global pollution by reducing the use of resources and energy required to produce, process, package, distribute, promote, and dispose of material created by artificial baby milk
• Reduces tax burden on community and government to ensure children are properly fed
• Reduced absenteeism in the workplace due to children’s health benefit

Staying healthy

Your choices are just as important when you’re breast-feeding as they were when you were pregnant.

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• Drink lots of fluids
• Rest as much as possible
• Only take medication with your doctor’s approval
• Don’t smoke
• Too much caffeine can make your baby irritable and interfere with your baby’s sleep
• If you choose to have an occasional alcoholic drink, avoid breast-feeding for two hours afterward

Help is available

Breastfeeding is an amazing experience. Whether this is your first time breastfeeding a baby or your fourth, please contact us if you need additional information or assistance.

Breastfeeding is a learned art for mother and baby. Relax, and learn how you and your baby can become a matched team.