I love helping moms breastfeed. While breastfeeding is natural, it doesn’t always come naturally.

Sometimes it comes easily.

Sometimes it can be challenging.

When breastfeeding is hard it can help to keep going when you know why breastfeeding is important.

Most moms don’t get enough support when breastfeeding is hard.

Moms get advice and information from family and friends, and Facebook groups. They may take their questions and concerns to Google.

All the different opinions can make your head spin.

After reading this you will know some of the most important reasons breastfeeding is important.

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Breast if best. How many times have you heard that?

What would you say if I told you that breastfeeding has no benefits? (Did I just hear you gasp in surprise?)

Stay with me on this one.

When someone talks about something having benefits, they are referencing it to what is the norm. In this case, that reference is usually to formula. However, formula is not the norm.

Think of some other things that are similar in terms of what is seen as best, or better or risky.

Smoking is risky. We don’t say, “Not smoking has benefits.”

Breastfeeding is normal.

Your baby’s body is born expecting to receive breast milk. Not receiving it is not normal.

Eating healthy is important. We don’t say, “Not eating fast food has benefits.”

Breathing air is normal. We don’t say, “Breathing air is best.”

Changing how we talk about breastfeeding is the first step in changing how we think about breastfeeding.

We need to start thinking of breastfeeding as normal.

It’s not simply a choice a mother makes about how to feed her baby. It is so much more than that.

If breast is best, does that make formula the worst?

The reality is that some babies will need formula, for a variety of reasons. Some babies will be fortunate enough to receive donor milk if they need to be supplemented.

Donor milk is a better option than formula. However, even when it is an option, for most parents it is going to be cost-prohibitive in the long term.

Commercial formula is required to meet certain guidelines for ingredients and safety. It’s not the worst. Not feeding a baby enough food would be the worst.

Breastfeeding has enormous value. It makes a difference in a baby’s health, both in the short term and long term.

Breastfeeding is worth working for, even when it is hard.

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In the United States more babies are starting out life being breastfed (Source).

While that is encouraging, most babies are not being exclusively breastfed or breastfed for as long as is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding with the addition of complementary foods (aka solids) until at least the first birthday (Source).

The WHO recommends breastfeeding for at least two years (Source).

There is a lot of speculation about why babies are not being breastfed for as long as is recommended.

Some of the most common reasons given for stopping breastfeeding before a mom intended to or it is recommended include:

• Nipple pain
• The belief or concern that they don’t have enough milk
• Fatigue and the belief that formula feeding will change that.
• Difficulty establishing direct breastfeeding (as opposed to breast milk feeding) and mom does not want to exclusively pump and bottle feed.
• Returning to work can present enormous challenges for some moms in their desire to continue breastfeeding.
•  
• Related Posts
• Exclusive Pumping – Everything You Need To Consider
• Epic Guide – Everything You Need To Know About Breastfeeding and Returning To Work

Clearly, saying to a mom who is struggling with any of these issues, “breast is best”, or “breastfeeding is normal,” is probably not going to be enough to help her through those difficult times or a crisis of confidence.

These moms need help. They also need to know why it is important that they try to work through issues that may come up. Issues that make them think , “Is this worth it?” or, “Maybe I have done this long enough” or, “It’s just too hard and I’m ready to stop”.

How long a mom works at breastfeeding is a personal decision and one that should be respected and not judged.

If you are one of those mothers, these are some of the compelling reasons you should do what you need to do to get through those challenging times.

Breastfeeding makes a difference in the health of babies. Some outcomes are short-term, some are life long.

Some people love breastfeeding, some people can take it or leave it, and some people actually hate it. None of those feelings change the effect that breastfeeding has on a baby’s health.

Breastfeeding makes a difference in the outcomes of many diseases and disorders (Source).

• Respiratory tract infections and ear infections
• Gastrointestinal tract infections
• Allergic Diseases
• Celiac Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Childhood Leukemia
• Childhood Lymphoma

And the big ones:

• SIDS
• Infant Mortality

The impact that breastfeeding has on these outcomes has been well studied.Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

A difference in the outcomes doesn’t mean these illnesses never happen to a breastfed baby. It means there is a difference in how often these things happen to breastfed babies as compared to formula or mixed-fed babies.

A difference in outcomes also means how severe these diseases and disorders can be.

The research has shown that formula fed and mixed-fed babies experience these dieseases and conditions more often and more severely than breastfed babies do.

Exclusive breastfeeding at the breast is going to result in the best outcomes.

It’s also important to know that any breastfeeding or breastmilk is better than none at all. The more, the better.

If you are experiencing breastfeedingdifficulties that are making you want to stop, the most important thing to do is get help. A lactation consultant is usually the best qualified to provide that help.

If you can’t get help soon enough, you can always talk to someone, and take a break and pump so that you continue to support your milk supply.

Breastfeeding is not just important for babies. It helps mom stay her healthiest as well.

Women who breastfeed experience many positive effects on their short-term and long-term health (Source).

• Less blood loss postpartum
• Uterus gets back to its pre-pregnant shape more quickly
• Can provide natural birth-control
• Decreased incidence of postpartum depression
• Helps with postpartum weight loss
• Lower rates of rheumatoid arthritis
• Decreased rates of cardiovascular disease
• Lower risk of breast cancer
• Lower risk of ovarian cancer

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One study showed that if 90% of moms in the US breastfed exclusively for six months it would result in a savings of $13 billion (Source). Yes, billion.

That study was done in 2010, so if you consider inflation it is certainly more today.

There are other things that are valuable about breastmilk and breastfeeding. I don’t want to give a long list though. I want to give you the really important ones. These are the ones that can make a difference in motivation to most people.

The other important thing to remember is that breastfeeding is not an “all or nothing” deal. Any amount of breastmilk is valuable.

Moms have taught me that no one can, or should tell a mother how much is enough to keep working on it.

However, even the most dedicated mother may sometimes have to stop breastfeeding. There may be a medical reason. Or, her breastfeeding difficulties may have taken her to a dark and scary place and her mental health is truly at risk. This sometimes happens. It’s important to get help if you feel that is happening to you.

Breastfeeding is important.

Breastfeeding matters.

Breastfeeding is normal.

 

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Do you know what is really silly? While most pregnant women are advised to take a childbirth preparation course they are rarely told to take a class to prepare for breastfeeding. That’s kind of ridiculous when you think about it. 

Labor and birth last an average of 12-24 hours. Breastfeeding can last months or years. Does it make sense to spend hours learning about something that will probably be over in a day but not spend any time learning about breastfeeding?

One piece of breastfeeding advice I give all expectant moms is to take a prenatal breastfeeding class.

Moms often say they are going to “try” to breastfeed. You can hear the doubt and worry in their voice. They’ve listened to horror stories. They probably know more than one mama who didn’t have enough milk or struggled with sore and cracked nipples. 

Reason # 1

While breastfeeding is natural, there are a lot of potential bumps in a woman’s breastfeeding journey that can leave her feeling frustrated. Checking Google when you have a question or problem can leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed.

Don’t worry, taking a breastfeeding preparation class is the best way to avoid all that craziness. A prenatal breastfeeding class will help you with your breastfeeding goals. That is not just my opinion.

Reason # 2

Research studies have shown that mothers who have prepared for breastfeeding by taking a class breastfeed for longer and more of them are able to breastfeed exclusively (Source 1, Source 2).

Don’t make the mistake that so many moms make and skip this essential step in preparing for breastfeeding! Set yourself up for a positive breastfeeding experience.

Reason # 3

A woman who has never breastfed before, maybe never even seen a baby breastfeed, will have no idea what to expect. A class will prepare you so you can do the right things. You will know what things to avoid that could derail your breastfeeding efforts.

Reason # 4

A breastfeeding class will let you know what is normal and reassuring and what is a possible warning sign. You will know how to tell your baby is getting enough to eat. You will know what to do to support a good milk supply. You will be prepared for the most common problems and how to deal with them.

A good course about breastfeeding will set you up for breastfeeding bliss and help you avoid breastfeeding disappointment.

The good news is that today your options are better than ever to learn about breastfeeding. I will share tips on how to choose the right breastfeeding preparation class for you.

Breastfeeding classes are held in a variety of locations.

• Hospitals
• Breastfeeding Centers
• Prenatal Education Centers
• Private Practice Lactation Consultants
• Parenting Centers
• WIC
• Online breastfeeding courses

More than ever before expectant moms are turning to online sources for their prenatal education needs. The internet has provided them with an incredible array of learning options.

There are many benefits to taking a breastfeeding class online:

• You can watch the videos at a time that is convenient for you. One reason moms give for not attending a breastfeeding class was the challenge of going to an in-person class after working all day. They are tired, and they just want to go home and put on their comfy clothes.
• Privacy. Many moms attend breastfeeding classes solo. But when their partner attends with them, they have the benefit of an extra set of ears and someone else to remember things. If your partner feels self-conscious about going to a breastfeeding class and online class eliminates this obstacle.
• You can re-watch the videos as many times as you want. Pregnancy brain is real!
• You can go back after your baby is born and watch videos that are relevant to your baby’s age.
• You can watch them while you are in your pj’s!
• You can eat and drink whatever you want while you watch.
• You don’t have to listen to other people ask questions that are not helpful to you.
• You don’t have to go into a hospital where there are sick people.

A prenatal breastfeeding class should prepare you for what to expect with breastfeeding without overwhelming you with every little detail.

• Why breastfeeding is important
• How to get ready for breastfeeding 
• Basic anatomy
• Positions
• How to latch your baby
• Importance of skin to skin
• Second Night Syndrome
• When to expect your milk to come in
• How to deal with problems like engorgement or sore nipples
• How to have a good milk supply
• Newborn weight loss
• How to tell your baby is getting enough
• Average weight gain in babies
• Pumping basics
• Reasons a baby might need to be supplemented
• How to find breastfeeding help
• Breastfeeding must-haves

Look for a breastfeeding class like my Clueless to Confident Breastfeeding Preparation Course that won’t overwhelm you by trying to teach you everything you might possibly want to know about the entire time you are breastfeeding. The best breastfeeding class will give you the basics to get breastfeeding well established.

Most breastfeeding classes are taught by someone who has specialized lactation training. It can be a real alphabet soup! These are many different titles and certifications you may encounter in your search for a breastfeeding course (Source).

• IBCLC – International board-certified lactation consultant
• Certified lactation educator
• Certified lactation specialist
• Certified breastfeeding specialist
• Certified lactation educator counselor
• Breastfeeding counselor
• Breastfeeding educator
• Lactation educator
• Community breastfeeding educator
• Certified lactation counselor
• Certified breastfeeding educator

An instructor may or may not be an actual lactation consultant who works with breastfeeding moms. 

The best classes are taught by someone who has experience working with breastfeeding moms. Breastfeeding can be affected by so many different variables. 

An instructor who only has the experience of breastfeeding her own children may have a very narrow view of what breastfeeding can be like.

A lactation consultant who has spent years not only teaching about breastfeeding but has actually helped moms with breastfeeding knows that things don’t always happen the way the books describe.

I recommend classes that are taught by an IBCLC who has experience working with nursing moms.

I have taught moms about breastfeeding for over 30 years. I became a much better teacher after I became a lactation consultant.

I have always encouraged moms to take their breastfeeding class about a month before their baby is due. That way, if the baby arrives early, they will be ready. 

Taking the class before the beginning of your third trimester could result in you forgetting what you learned. This is especially true of an in-person course. With an online class, you always have the option to go back and review.

There is a wide variation in course fees.

Some are free. Free programs are usually not very comprehensive.

I have seen breastfeeding classes range from $20 up to over $100.

I created this online breastfeeding course to meet the needs of today’s busy woman who wants to be prepared for breastfeeding. I have answered the most common questions new moms have. I talk about the most common problems that can occur during the early weeks of breastfeeding.

I have taken my 26+ years of experience and all that moms have told me is important and created the ideal online breastfeeding program.

My goal for all breastfeeding mamas is to have a positive, rewarding nursing experience.

It is pretty obvious that I think a prenatal breastfeeding course is essential part of meeting that goal.

I encourage you to find the course that best meets your needs and register today.

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13 Essential Ways to Prepare For Breastfeeding While Pregnant

 

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If breastfeeding is so natural, why can it be so hard to do? Because while a mom may plan to breastfeed, she doesn’t often prepare for breastfeeding.

It’s common to take birthing classes, buy a diaper bag, and think about what kind of breast pump you should get. But you need to do more to set yourself up for a positive breastfeeding experience.

Having a good breastfeeding journey involves more than just getting a breast pump.

Breastfeeding is one of the most valuable things you can do to grow a healthy tiny human. It is also something that a brand new mom has never done before. She may never have even personally seen a real baby actually breastfeed.

To increase your chances of being satisfied and happy with your breastfeeding experience, you will want to do some essential things to prepare for breastfeeding while you are pregnant.

Get Your Breastfeeding Checklist So You Can Be A Prepared Mama

A positive breastfeeding experience doesn’t just happen. 

Get my exclusive breastfeeding preparation checklist when you join my email list.

I Want To Be Prepared!

 

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There are several other important ways you can prepare for breastfeeding. As a lactation consultant, these are the things I’ve found to help give moms confidence and decrease stress about breastfeeding.

This is so important!

Research has shown that moms who participate in breastfeeding education will breastfeed for longer. They also have a better chance of breastfeeding exclusively (Source). Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization.

While the majority of first-time pregnant women take a childbirth education class, a much lower percentage take a breastfeeding class. The moms who do take a breastfeeding class report that it was tremendously helpful in preparing them for breastfeeding.

Some moms think that reading a book will be just as good. Or they believe that meeting with a lactation consultant in the hospital will be all they need. The one thing I recommend to the mom who wants to increase her chances of having a good breastfeeding experience that she take a breastfeeding class.

Breastfeeding Class Options

• Breastfeeding classes are usually offered at hospitals and birth centers.
• Private breastfeeding classes
  • Look for a class offered by an IBCLC, CLC or Lactation Educator. 
• An emerging option for breastfeeding classes is an online class.
  • Online breastfeeding classes are popular because they are usually presented in several short modules.
    • You can watch them over several sessions or all at once. It’s your choice.
  • You can take the class in the comfort of your own home. In your jammies. Curled up on your sofa. How awesome does that sound?

Check Out Clueless to Confident Online Breastfeeding Preparation Course

When to take a breastfeeding class

I encourage moms to have completed their breastfeeding class by the time they are 36 weeks pregnant. That way, you will be ready if your baby arrives early

Don’t worry, though; if you are reading this when you are past your due date, it’s not too late to take a breastfeeding class.

There are going to be moments in the middle of the night when you want to know something right now. Don’t go surfing on Google. You will end up confused at best, or worse, misinformed.

Facebooks groups aren’t always a great place to go for advice either. Usually, when a mom asks a question, she gets an avalanche of conflicting opinions.

I have a Facebook breastfeeding group, and I can monitor the answers and avoid any poor breastfeeding advice being handed out. I invite you to join us.

Bookmark a couple of trusted websites where you know you can get good advice. I recommend this site,  Breastfeeding Confidential. You can bookmark it right now.

Have one or two good books where you can get reliable information.

Best Breastfeeding Books For New Moms

My favorite breastfeeding books:

Breastfeed Like a Boss – 52 Tips for the First Year of Breastfeeding – Full disclosure, I wrote this ebook. It has tips for every stage of breastfeeding. One person describes it as having a lactation consultant in your back pocket. I wanted to provide moms with something that answers their most common questions in an easy-to-read and easy to navigate format.

The Nursing Mother’s Companion – A hospital I worked at gave this book to new moms as a gift. It’s divided up by how old your baby is. I love how easy it is to go right to the age you are dealing with for relevant information.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding – this book has been a favorite since 1956. They update it regularly. It is a publication of the La Leche League.

Latch – I think this might be my new favorite book. It has mom’s stories of their breastfeeding experiences sprinkled throughout. There are lots of question and answer sections. It covers everything from preparing to breastfeed to weaning. I downloaded it to my Kindle and the author has links throughout the book to other sections.

When a mom needs help with breastfeeding, she usually needs it NOW. You don’t want to be searching for someone when you are exhausted and desperate. You will want to have at least two lactation consultants who you can call. A consultant who is in a solo private practice might not be available. Make sure you have options for breastfeeding help.

How to Find a lactation consultant in your area

• Call the hospitals in your area. They may offer outpatient lactation services.
• Check the United States Lactation Consultant Association site’s page: Find an IBCLC. An IBCLC is an international board-certified lactation consultant.

Some lactation consultants do virtual consults. Many breastfeeding problems can be managed through an online consultation.

Questions To Ask a Lactation Consultant

• Does she do home visits?
• If not, where is her office located?
• What kind of certifications does she have?
• Can she bill your insurance?
• What are her rates?
• What follow-up is included?
• Is there a discount for any follow-up visits for the same problem?
• How long has she been in practice?

Birth plans have been around forever. Breastfeeding plans are new but gaining traction.

When you give birth in a hospital, you will want to communicate what your wishes are for breastfeeding. If you deliver in a Baby Friendly designated hospital, they will have policies in place to support breastfeeding. But there are less than 600 Baby Friendly designated hospitals and birth centers in the entire US.

Providing a written breastfeeding plan when you arrive in labor will let the hospital staff know the things that you want and the things you want to avoid regarding breastfeeding.

• Do you want to avoid pacifiers? It is recommended that they not be used in the first month of breastfeeding
• Do you want to room-in with your baby? This is recommended to help you learn your baby’s feeding cues and to facilitate breastfeeding when your baby is in the right state of alertness.
• Do you want to avoid supplementing? Unless there is a medical reason to supplement, it is not recommended as it can interfere with getting breastfeeding established.
• If supplementing is medically needed, what kind of milk do you want used?
  • Your pumped or hand-expressed colostrum/milk
  • Human donor milk from a milk bank
  • Formula

An often overlooked way of preparing for breastfeeding before baby arrives is to determine if your nipples could cause a problem. Some breastfeeding problems are caused by flat or inverted nipples or very dense areolas.

Check with a lactation consultant or your doctor or midwife if you are concerned about how your nipples could affect breastfeeding.

How to prepare inverted nipples for breastfeeding

• Wearing breast shells for inverted nipples can help them come out.
• Talk with a lactation consultant to see if she thinks a nipple shield or nipple everted would be helpful to you.
• Get comfortable with your nipples, and learn how to pull them out.

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Every so often, you hear about a baby who is breastfeeding and doesn’t gain enough weight or gets dehydrated. That usually happens because the baby is not breastfeeding frequently enough. It can also occur if the baby is not breastfeeding effectively. There can also be problems with a mom’s milk supply.

The first 24-hours your baby may not be interested in eating, or she may want to eat every couple of hours. How your birth went can affect how sleepy a newborn is and how much she wants to breastfeed. Sometimes they have a tummy full of amniotic fluid and won’t want to eat. This can make a baby spitty and not interested in eating.

If you give birth in the hospital, the nurses will monitor your baby to make sure she is doing ok. Do skin-to-skin as much as possible. This encourages your baby to breastfeed.

After the first 24 hours, a baby needs to eat at least 8 times every 24-hours. More than eight times is ok. It’s normal, healthy behavior if they want to eat frequently. On the second night, a baby will usually cluster feed all night long.

Reassuring signs that your breastfed baby is eating enough:

• Eating at least eight times in 24-hours
  • Periods of frequent feeding called “cluster feeding” are normal.
• Baby wants to eat or is easy to wake up for feedings
• Breastfeeds enthusiastically
• Baby is content after most feedings.
• You hear her or see her swallowing during feedings
• Having enough wet and dirty diapers

The number of diapers expected changes frequently in the first week. Request my breastfeeding log for newborns. It tells you how many diapers to expect each day.

Concerning signs that your baby might not be getting enough to eat:

• Not enough diapers
• Baby is very lethargic and hard to wake up for feedings
• A dry, sticky mouth
• Very short feedings with little or no swallowing
• Very long feedings with little or no swallowing
• Nipple pain throughout the feedings

Follow these tips to have a good breast milk supply:

• Breastfeed early and often.
• Do lots of skin-to-skin in the first few days after your baby is born.
• Lots of feeding tells your body to make lots of milk
• Breastfeed at least once in the middle of the night in the first few months. You make the most milk at night because that is when your hormone levels are highest.
• Do not use a pacifier in the first month.
• Don’t consume peppermint

Most of the time, breastfeeding is all you need to build a good milk supply. There are times when you should pump in addition to breastfeeding.

• If your baby is not breastfeeding at least 8 times every 24 hours
• Little babies sometimes stimulate small milk supplies. Pump 4-6 times a day after breastfeeding if your baby’s birth weight is less than 6# 8 oz.

Pump after breastfeeding if your baby does not have a strong suck.

• Pump any time your baby gets supplemented with donor milk or formula.

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When you create your baby registry, make sure you include these breastfeeding necessities.

• Breastfeeding Pillow
• Nursing Stool
• A front carrier
• Bra pads
• A hand pump
• Hands-free pumping bra
• Pumping adapter

While these next two items are helpful, not everyone will need them. You probably don’t want to put them on your registry list.

• Gel pads or shells for sore nipples

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Approximately 85% of breastfeeding moms use a pump at some point (Source).

There are a lot of breast pump choices. Most moms will be able to get a breast pump at no cost from their insurance.

Everyone has different pumping needs.  Do some research ahead of time, so you are choosing the pump that is best for you.

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You will want to be able to breastfeed in several places in your home. Put all the things that you need for breastfeeding in a convenient nursing essentials basket. Anywhere that you have a breastfeeding basket, you have a breastfeeding station. This will allow you to have what you need within arms-reach.

Think of all the different places where you might nurse your baby.

• Living room
• Family room
• Kitchen
• Baby’s room
• Your room
• Your office

Make a breastfeeding basket for each of those places. Include breastfeeding essentials as well as diaper change items.

For a full list of recommended items read: 15 Essentials Every Mom Needs in a Breastfeeding Basket.

Anything can be used to hold breastfeeding necessities. I’m a basket addict, but a tote bag or caddy works well too. Even a smaller laundry basket would conveniently hold your breastfeeding must-haves.

A breastfeeding basket is a great gift for a baby shower or a new mom.

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Clothing that is designed specifically for breastfeeding is not essential. They are nice to have, though. And they have gotten super-cute over the years. I have a free tutorial demonstrating how to make a simple breastfeeding top. This top is so cute, it is something any mom would want in her wardrobe.

• A nursing bra is definitely going to make breastfeeding easier and more comfortable. I recommend waiting to get a nursing bra until after your milk is in, and you are no longer having any breast engorgement.
• Nursing tanks are wonderful. I love them for moms in the first couple of weeks.
• Nursing sleepwear makes nighttime feedings easier.

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Going back to work as a new mom is stressful. Being a breastfeeding mom adds another element that you will need to prepare for.

It will decrease your anxiety about it if you get as much as possible done ahead of time.

• Choose breastfeeding-friendly childcare – more and more states are connecting new parents with childcare providers that are designated “Breastfeeding Friendly.” Just do a Google search for your state and “breastfeeding-friendly childcare.”
  • Ask the childcare center staff how they support breastfeeding moms and babies.
  • Where can you nurse your baby at the daycare?
  • Do they have a refrigerator for your milk?
    • Breastmilk does not have to be stored in a separate refrigerator.
  • Can you come and breastfeed your baby at any time?
  • Will they hold off on feeding if you are due to arrive soon?
• Plan a breastfeeding work wardrobe that is going to be pumping friendly. Shirts and pants or skirts are good. Dresses that zip up the back are not the best choice.
• Plan for pumping at work
  • Find out where you will be able to pump.
  • Does your employer provide a hospital grade pump for employees?
  • Is there a refrigerator to store your milk?
  • Is there a sink for you to wash your pump parts?
  • When will you be able to pump?
• Get supplies to build your breastmilk stash.

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You have legal rights as a breastfeeding mother.

Women who live in the US or its territories (the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) have the legal right to breastfeed wherever they have a legal right to be.

These states have laws for breastfeeding in the workplace laws

• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wyoming

Also, Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

The law states that If you work somewhere that has 50 or more employees, then your employer must give you time to pump. This is covered under The Affordable Care Act. Employers must:

• Provide “reasonable break time” for you to pump
• For one year after your baby is born
• You can pump as often you need to.
• Your employers must provide a place for you to pump,
  • other than a bathroom, that
  • is shielded from view and
  • free from intrusion from coworkers and the public (Source)

As you check each of these things off your “Prepare for Breastfeeding” checklist you will feel more confident to breastfeed your baby.

Do you like to be super organized? Check out my comprehensive Breastfeeding Planner.

Have you done any of these things already? Drop me a comment to let me know.

Check out the Content and Bonuses in Clueless to Confident Breastfeeding Preparation Course

 

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“You should give birth in a Baby-Friendly hospital.” You may have heard this when you shared the news that you were pregnant, and planning to breastfeed. You may have wondered what does baby friendly hospital mean?

You may have googled it.

If your research brought you to this page, you have come to the right place. I will tell you all you want to know about what it means to be a Baby Friendly hospital.

If your research led you to any articles that were critical of hospitals that are Baby-Friendly. I will talk about that as well.

In the USA, an officially designated Baby-Friendly hospital or birth-center must go through a rigorous evaluation by Baby-Friendly USA, including a site visit, confirming that not only are you walking the walk, but talking the talk.

Blah, blah, blah. You don’t want to know about the boring stuff. You want to know, what does it mean?

Being a Baby-Friendly designated hospital means that a hospital follows the Ten Steps to successful breastfeeding. Research shows moms who give birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital will be more likely to initiate breastfeeding and breastfeed exclusively.

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all healthcare staff.
2. Train all healthcare staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
6. Give infants no food or drink other than breast-milk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice rooming in – allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9. Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or birth center

A Baby-Friendly hospital has to follow these guidelines at least 80% of the time. Let’s face it, nobody is perfect.

The term Baby-Friendly was chosen, instead of something like Breastfeeding Friendly because it was easy to translate into the most number of languages.

As I researched this article, I found a shocking amount of Baby-Friendly bashing. If a mom had a bad experience, or a person just doesn’t like the thought of it, they want to write about it. I will discuss that too.

• Step 1 – Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff. The policy must address the implementation of each step. 
• Step 2 – Train all health care staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy. Nurses must have at least 20 hours of breastfeeding education, including time to demonstrate they can help moms with position, latch and hand expression. Docs have to have 3 hours of breastfeeding education. The time difference reflects the amount of time that nurses vs. docs actually will spend with moms, helping them breastfeed.
• Step 3 – Inform all women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. This step is implemented during pregnancy. Topics should be discussed throughout pregnancy. It only applies to hospitals that are considered to be affiliated. The definition of affiliated is very broad.
• Step 4 – Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of breastfeeding. This one is pretty self-explanatory. It’s about giving your baby access to the breast. The emphasis is on getting your baby skin-to-skin immediately after birth and keeping you together until your baby has breastfed. If a medical reason requires a separation, you should start skin-to-skin as soon as it is possible.
• Step 5 – Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants. The nursing staff should show you how to correctly position and latch your baby. If you can’t be with your baby, they should show you how to use a breast pump to provide stimulation to bring in and maintain your milk supply until your baby can breastfeed.
• Step 6 – Give infants no food or drink other than breast-milk, unless medically indicated. Giving a baby formula or water or sugar-water can have an adverse effect on breastfeeding frequency. It will change your baby’s gut pH and bacteria colonization. It may decrease your confidence about breastfeeding being enough for your baby.
• Step 7 – Practice rooming-in – allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day. Rooming-in enables you to learn your baby’s hunger cues and get him to the breast at the first signs of hunger. If your baby gets to the point of crying, he may be in a disorganized state and have a harder time latching on. Your baby should not go to the nursery or nurse’s station. Ideally, parents are educated on normal breastfeeding patterns and taught coping mechanisms that they can use when needed. Learning coping techniques in the hospital will also be helpful when you go home. Research has shown that mothers do not get more sleep if their baby goes to the nursery, compared to baby’s who stay in the room with their moms.
• Step – 8 – Encourage breastfeeding on demand. Babies should be allowed to feed as often and as long as they want to. Newborns can breastfeed very, very frequently in the first few days. Frequent feeding helps bring the milk in sooner and stimulates an abundant milk supply.
• Step 9 – Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants. If your baby wants to suck, he should go to breast. If a baby has a pacifier in his mouth, you will miss his cues that he is hungry. You should be offered alternatives to artificial bottle nipples because they may affect the way your baby sucks on your nipple when he goes to the breast.
• Step 10 – Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or birth center. Having a network of groups and lactation consultants helps a mom get the help that can make the difference between meeting her breastfeeding goals, or whether she has a good experience.

I mentioned the many articles critical of Baby-Friendly practices.

Because of this, some hospitals have decided that they will not seek this designation. They may say instead that they are family-friendly, or mother-friendly. The implication is that a Baby-Friendly hospital is not.   

I don’t believe this is a competition, one instead of the other. One of the problems with these terms that they are just words. There is not any certification or designation process to be a family or mother-friendly hospital. It doesn’t assure you of anything. Any hospital can use this term.

Baby-Friendly is a registered certification and may be used only by hospitals that have obtained that certification through an organization that is approved to provide that designation. In the USA that iBaby-Friendly USA.

Some people have misinterpreted a hospital designated as Baby-Friendly as being one that will pressure mothers to breastfeed, whether they want to or not. While we are all urged to do things that are healthy, ideally a Baby-Friendly hospital provides education and support so that mom can be successful with breastfeeding.

A Baby-friendly hospital is not supposed to:

• Tell you that you have to breastfeed.
  • They should educate you about the value of breastfeeding
• Refuse to take your baby out of your room if you request it.
  • They should explain the advantages of why it is good to keep your baby in your room.
  • They should offer alternatives, such as someone else, like your partner or another support person holding the baby for a bit so you can nap, or take a shower. Grandmas make great baby rockers. The other parent can take the opportunity to do skin-to-skin, which is good for both of them
  • After being educated and given alternatives, if you say that you still want the baby taken out for a while, they should take him.
  • He should be brought  back if he is showing any feeding cues
  • If it is not safe for you to keep your baby, because of exhaustion or medication that would make you unable to attend to your baby, he should go to the nursery or nurse’s station.
  • They should not offer to take your baby if you have not requested it
• Refuse to give you a pacifier.
  • Most hospitals have them for NICU babies and painful procedures, such as circumcisions. If one is used, for this reason, it should be discarded after the procedure.
  • If you want to use one, they should explain how this can interfere with successfully establishing breastfeeding
  • They should give you one if, after having been educated, you still want a pacifier
• Refuse to provide you with formula if you have requested it.
  • They should explain how this can affect your baby’s gut and breastfeeding. It can lead to engorgement or worsen it if your milk has come in
  • If you still want it, they should give it to you
  • They should give you enough for one use, as opposed to several bottles.
  • They should educate you on the appropriate amounts to offer
  • They should encourage you to pump, which may minimize the disruption in normal feeding frequency
• They should document any requests and education provided

• Baby-Friendly is about support for breastfeeding. It is not about pressure, judging or mother shaming. Moms do the best they can with the information they receive. It should be the goal of a Baby-Friendly hospital to give you the best education to make decisions.

You drive the bus

It is your baby, and you drive the bus. You are ultimately the one who makes the final decisions. Some nurses and doctors do a better job than others with providing education and support to help you make choices that will help with successfully establish breastfeeding.

I have found that requests to take a baby in the middle of the night decreased when parents are told why rooming-in is recommended, and what normal newborn breastfeeding patterns are. Newborns breastfeed, a lot! Especially at night. Afternoon naps are a new mom’s best friend.

If you can’t find a Baby-Friendly hospital, remember, you drive the bus. You can request almost every single thing on the Ten Steps list. I have seen that when a mom is assertive, then she will get what she asks for.

The hospital staff may roll their eyes. They may talk about you at the nurse’s station. They may make obnoxious comments directly to you. Who cares? It’s not the last time someone will question or criticize your parenting decisions and choices. IT’S YOUR BABY!

Someone can only make you feel guilty or question yourself is if you allow them to.

You drive the bus.

You can find a Baby-friendly hospital in the US here: https://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/find-facilities

If you are giving birth in Canada, check here:   https://www.breastfeedingcanada.ca/BFI.aspx

I helped the hospital where I work to become a Baby-friendly designated hospital. It was a team effort for three years, but a personal goal of mine for 20 years. It was one of the best days of my life when I got that call that we had passed our site assessment.

I look at our plaque stating our Baby-Friendly status every day that I go to work. It makes me feel proud of myself and proud of the people I work with. It also makes me very happy for our families, to know that they are getting such awesome breastfeeding support.

The post What Does Baby-Friendly Hospital Mean? And Why It’s Important appeared first on Breastfeeding Confidential.