 Health Care Services Hospitals & Facilities Health Information Find a Doctor Why Choose Baptist |
Breastfeeding Is Best
|
Article Categories
|
 |
|
Daily Bread
A cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22 |
|
Nursing has benefits for mother and baby
Angela Rogers always knew she wanted to breastfeed. So when her son Andrew was born a couple of years ago, there was no question about whether or not she would nurse him. “I wanted to do what’s best for my son and I believe breastfeeding is what's best,” Rogers said. She had many reasons for wanting to breastfeed, but its health benefits and the special bonding she experienced with Andrew were the most important, Rogers said. Rogers, LPN, is a nurse on the mother/baby unit at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, so she had seen the benefits of breastfeeding before she had her own baby. Breastfeeding is one of the most important things you can do for your baby, said Mickey Forte, RNC, IBCLC, lactation consultant at Baptist Women’s Hospital. “Breast milk is the perfect food for babies,” Forte said. “Human milk is for human babies, and is specific to the human infant.” Breastfeeding benefits for the baby include (according to the Women’s National Health Information Center):
Health benefits for nursing mothers:
Keys to breastfeeding success Mothers should nurse their babies within that first hour after birth, when the baby is most alert, to quickly establish the breastfeeding connection. New moms need to get plenty of rest. “We have this super mom mindset that we can do everything,” Forte said. “Mom needs to rest, feed herself and feed the baby those first few days. Her family needs to protect that time of rest.” Don’t panic if breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally; it is a learning process for mother and baby. You have many places to go for help. “It’s not always autopilot. It might be. But the benefits for the baby are just phenomenal and well worth the patience and perseverance that may be required,” Forte said. Try to relax. Find a comfortable place to nurse. A sofa, recliner or special nursing chair is best. Rocking chairs with high arms and a narrow seat are usually not a good choice. Use a nursing pillow and rest your feet on a stool. Try to begin the feeding before baby is crying. Watch for early signs of hunger from baby such as hands to mouth, beginning to awaken, stretching and wiggling. Baby should feed 8 to 12 times every 24 hours, Forte said. Breastfeeding challenges For some mothers, breastfeeding can be challenging and even frustrating at first, but most problems have a solution. Rogers had difficulty during the first week after Andrew was born. He had trouble latching on to her breast. But with the help of her own knowledge as a nurse, the other nurses on the unit and the lactation consultant, she kept at it through “perseverance and prayers” until he nursed easily. “I’m determined. When something doesn’t happen right away, I’m going to find a way for it to happen,” Rogers said. Sore nipples are another common problem. A simple change in the baby's position while feeding can sometimes relieve nipple soreness. Some mothers have soreness only during the first few days. Often the problem occurs because the baby’s mouth is not fully open when nursing – causing pain and an improper “latch.” If painful, the mother should simply insert her finger to break the incorrect latch and make sure the baby’s mouth is wide enough to nurse properly before allowing baby to latch again. “A proper latch can prevent or help heal sore nipples,” Forte said. Many treatments help heal sore nipples and decrease pain. Ultra pure lanolin-based ointment such as PureLan and Lansinoh can be used for nipple care and do not have to be washed off before feeding. Hydrogel dressings such as ComfortGel Pads can be used between feedings. These products are available at the Women’s Health Center Boutique at the Baptist Women’s Hospital (901) 227-9856). Expressing and rubbing a little breast milk on the nipple area after each feeding and allowing it to dry before putting pads on will speed healing. Parents can attend a prenatal breastfeeding class together. Check your local hospital or La Leche League for available classes. For mothers who are having trouble or are unsure about breastfeeding, Forte said, “Try taking it one step at a time. We always ask: will you consider trying it while you’re in the hospital? After you get breastfeeding established in the first 2-3 weeks you may want to start pumping so you can introduce a bottle and begin storing some milk to be used when you need to be away from your baby. “Even if you decide you can only nurse for a few weeks while you’re home, you and your baby will still get so many benefits,” Forte said. Where to go for help? There are many places and resources to go for help. Most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff and many have support groups for new moms, such as Beautiful Bundles, which meets each week at Baptist Women’s Hospital. The hospital also has a Breastfeeding Resource Center in which board-certified lactation consultants are available for private appointments or phone consultations at (901) 227-9620. La Leche League, an international organization dedicated to helping breastfeeding mothers, is also a good place to go for information and support. Information, education, patience and perseverance are the keys to breastfeeding success.
Published: June 29, 2006
Source: Mickey Forte, RNC, IBCLC, Angela Rogers, LPN, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women; Women’s National Health Information Center. Writer: Elizabeth Todd Bartholomew, MA, APR  Top of Page |
|
| Home | Health Care Services | Hospitals & Facilities | Health Information | Find a Doctor | Why Choose Baptist |
| ©2009 Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer. Notice of Privacy Practices. | |
 |
In keeping with the three-fold ministry of Christ — healing, preaching and teaching — Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation is committed to providing quality health care. |