Breast Feeding
When it comes to getting babies off to a healthy start, experts agree that "breast is best." Human breast milk contains all the nutrients babies need each day, plus many substances that help them grow and develop properly.
Breastfeeding doesn't always come "naturally," though-and that's where lactation counseling comes in. Our counselors provide new moms with the information and help they need to make breastfeeding a happy and successful experience for both mother and child. Our services include:
- Nursing instruction during childbirth classes
- Assessment and counseling during the hospital stay
- Support from counselors and maternity unit nurses after discharge (by phone or in person)
- A nursing mothers' support group that meets monthly to share and discuss issues of interest
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Breast Health - Anatomy of Breasts
Each breast has 15 to 20 sections, called lobes , that are arranged like the petals of a daisy. Each lobe has many smaller lobules , which end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk. The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are all linked by thin tubes called ducts. These ducts lead to the nipple in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola . Fat fills the spaces between lobules and ducts. There are no muscles in the breast, but muscles lie under each breast and cover the ribs. Each breast also contains blood vessels and vessels that carry lymph . The lymph vessels lead to small bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes , clusters of which are found under the arm, above the collarbone, and in the chest, as well as in many other parts of the body.
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Proper Latch-on
When latching the baby on, support your breast with your hand. By forming a “C” with your hand, you can hold the breast and nipple in position as you guide your baby to your breast. Some women find it helpful to gently massage the breast to stimulate let-down at the start of the feeding. Correct latch-on is very important to prevent nipple soreness. The baby's mouth should be open wide. Infants have a primitive reflex called the rooting reflex which causes the infant to open her mouth wide and "search" for a nipple. This reflex can be stimulated by gently touching the baby's cheek with your finger or nipple. Her lower lip also needs to be turned outward resting on her chin, her upper lip relaxed and not turned in, and her tongue visible over her bottom gum. Your nipple and all of your areola should be in the baby's mouth. Her cheeks should be plump without dimples and you should hear quiet swallowing, not smacking sounds. The baby's tongue draws the nipple, areola and breast tissue well back into the mouth. His tongue cups and sweeps the nipple in a wavelike manner from front to back, pressing it up against the roof of his mouth. You should see his jaw and cheek muscles moving in rhythmic motion. The baby's gums must be at the back of the milk sinuses so that the milk can be squeezed out. If the baby's gums are just at the base of the nipple, the milk sinuses are closed between the baby's gums. To remove your baby from your breast and prevent nipple soreness, place your finger in the corner of the baby's mouth to break the suction. |
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Proper Positioning
To get a proper latch you need to have your baby positioned at breast properly. The rule-of-thumb no matter what position you choose to nurse you should have the babies ear, shoulder, and hips all in alignment — this will ensure the baby is at the breast symmetrically thus avoiding uneven suckling of the nipple.
Individual Lactation Counseling
Lactation Services
What are the Types of Breastfeeding Support
- Lactation consulting specializing in difficult cases.
- Breast pump rentals and essentials.
- Breast feeding classes and workshops.
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Breast Feeding
Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding are a special time in our lives. Breastfeeding your baby is simple and natural and one of the most valuable gifts a mother can give her baby. What better way to provide the best nourishment available to your child. Breastfeeding promotes physical and emotional well being for the baby, today and in the future. Providing the breastfeeding mother with encouragement and support is of great importance. Encouragement and support helps the mother and child in particularly during the first few weeks after birth and allows them to continue nursing for months or even years. Breastfeeding also provides a whole host of other benefits to the mother and child.
Benefits for Mother:
- Your uterus returns to its nonpregnant size rapidly when you nurse.
- Several hundred calories per day are used from stored fat to make milk.
- Convenient. The breast milk is always there, needs no preparation, is always clean and at the proper temperature.
- Reduces the risk of developing breast cancer
- Inexpensive.
- Emotional satisfaction. Breastfeeding facilitates the bonding relationship between mother and child through intimate physical contact.
Benefits For Babies:
- Easy digestibility with less digestive upsets. Breastmilk is used rapidly and efficiently by babies.
- Protection from many diseases. This is especially important if the babies are premature and/or are very small.
- Protection from allergies.
- Optimum nutrition. Breastmilk contains all the nutrients necessary for infants and in the exact amounts and proportions.
- Enhanced dental development.
- Special closeness with mother.
Latching On
Put the baby to the breast as soon as possible after birth. Sit back comfortably (don't lean over your baby). Use pillow behind your back or under your arms to help you support the baby. Place the baby's head in crook of your elbow and hold the baby at level of breast. Baby's face and body are turned toward mother. The baby's ear, shoulder and hip should be in a straight line. Cup you breast with your free hand and tickle baby's lower lip gently with you nipple and wait for him to open wide. Quickly pull baby closer when ready to latch on. Make sure that a large part of areola is drawn in and centered in his mouth.
How often and how long should I nurse the baby?
Baby needs to nurse 10-14 times in a 24 hours period. The more you nurse the more milk you will have. Watch you baby not the clock because babies should be fed according to their individual needs, not according to some schedule. Watch your baby and let him nurse as long as he show interest (sucking eagerly, swallowing often). When baby lose interest that is when you can switch him over to the other breast.
What other position can I use to nurse the baby?
Lying down to nurse
Lye down on you side and use pillows to support yourself and the baby. Baby should be lying on his side facing you with his mouth in line with your nipple and his knees pulled in close to your body. Support you baby with your arm. Offer the breast to the baby. This is a great position to use for nighttime nursing.
Football hold
Remember to use pillow to support you and your baby. Place the baby with his head resting in your hand and his legs under your arm. When you pull the baby close to latch on make sure his legs are not pushing up against the back of the bed or chair you are sitting in. The football hold is help full for mothers if baby is having trouble latching on because it give mother good visibility and good control of baby's position as he latches on.
What is nipple confusion?
How do I know my baby is getting enough to eat?
After the milk comes in the baby should have 6-8 wet cloth diapers or 5-6 disposable diapers in a day. He should also have 3-5 bowel movement per day. Other things to check, is he eating every 2-3 hours, is he filling out, active and alert. These are all sign that you baby is getting enough to eat. Remember most babies lose some weight during the first week but get back to birth weight within 2-3 weeks after birth
I need help with breastfeeding who can I get help from?
La Leche League International has local support groups that hold monthly meetings in most parts of the United States and they encourage mothers to begin attending meetings while they are still pregnant. La Leche League is a volunteer organization that has provided mother-to-mother help for more than 45 years. Every La Leche League leader has breastfed at least one child and she has access to a considerable network of breastfeeding research and knowledge.
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Lactation consultants
Breastfeeding doesn't always come "naturally," though-and that's where lactation counseling comes in. Counselors provide new moms with the information and help they need to make breastfeeding a happy and successful experience for both mother and child. Our services include:
- Nursing instruction during childbirth classes
- Assessment and counseling during the hospital stay
- Support from counselors and maternity unit nurses after discharge (by phone or in person)
- A nursing mothers' support group that meets monthly to share and discuss issues of interest
Getting help with breastfeeding problems can be challenging at times. If your doctor, nurse or consultant tells you to wean your baby get a second or third opinion.
