Congratulations, you're about to have a new baby! You plan to breastfeed, right? Piece of cake! It is what we were built to do! So no need to prepare, right? Wrong! Most of the cultural knowledge that women had about breastfeeding has been lost over the last 100 or so years, and many modern obstetricians and hospitals unintentionally (or intentionally?) set you up to fail at breastfeeding before your baby is even born! It's important that you prepare yourself and understand how to support this beautiful biological process from the beginning.
Step one: build your network!
-Talk to your family and friends and find out who has successfully breastfed. Get their tips and tricks. (Ignore the rest... You'll always find a nay-sayer in every bunch and you need positive influences right now. We will do another tip on how to deal with those negative nancies.)
-If you know where you plan to deliver, see if they have a LC on staff and if they have any support group meetings. (if not, you may want to reconsider delivering there...)
-find a local La LecheLeague meeting and attend! Pregnant moms are always welcome. www.llli.org
-find a local Breastfeeding USA chapter, and make contacts www.breastfeedinusa.org
-find a local IBCLC (internationally board certified lactation consultant) and meet with her one on one. http://www.ilca.org
-Talk to your family and friends and find out who has successfully breastfed. Get their tips and tricks. (Ignore the rest... You'll always find a nay-sayer in every bunch and you need positive influences right now. We will do another tip on how to deal with those negative nancies.)
-If you know where you plan to deliver, see if they have a LC on staff and if they have any support group meetings. (if not, you may want to reconsider delivering there...)
-find a local La LecheLeague meeting and attend! Pregnant moms are always welcome. www.llli.org
-find a local Breastfeeding USA chapter, and make contacts www.breastfeedinusa.org
-find a local IBCLC (internationally board certified lactation consultant) and meet with her one on one. http://www.ilca.org
Step two: educate yourself.
While most birth classes have a breastfeeding section, many are limited. Ask your network what course options are available and recommended, take it. Bring your spouse. Take notes. Ask questions...even the "stupid" ones.
While most birth classes have a breastfeeding section, many are limited. Ask your network what course options are available and recommended, take it. Bring your spouse. Take notes. Ask questions...even the "stupid" ones.
Step three: write a detailed birth plan and make sure it includes clear direction on how to support your breastfeeding goals, along with your other birth instructions. Make sure you have multiple printed copies of this and that all of your support team (spouse, doula, OB, midwife, nurse, visiting friends, parents, janitor, etc) are familiar with it. Below are some suggestions of instructions that can set you up for success:
• Place my baby directly to my stomach/chest immediately after delivery, putting off ALL procedures that are not medically necessary for at least 1-2 hours.
• Mother directed breastfeeding please. If we need assistance, we will ask.
BABY CARE / BREAST FEEDING
• SKIN TO SKIN contact. I would prefer to hold the baby and use kangaroo care as opposed to using the warmer.
• If the baby is not in distress, we would like to start bonding immediately with baby by me or spouse immediately after birth. I request that the baby stay with me for at least two hours or as long as possible for bonding & nursing.
• We request the evaluation of the baby be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
• If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my spouse will accompany the baby.
• I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth (even in recovery room if c-section is required).
• Do not offer my baby the following without my consent:
o formula, pacifiers, any artificial nipples, sugar water, etc.
• If baby’s blood sugar is low, we will be self-expressing colostrum in lieu of sugar water
• SKIN TO SKIN contact. I would prefer to hold the baby and use kangaroo care as opposed to using the warmer.
• If the baby is not in distress, we would like to start bonding immediately with baby by me or spouse immediately after birth. I request that the baby stay with me for at least two hours or as long as possible for bonding & nursing.
• We request the evaluation of the baby be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
• If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my spouse will accompany the baby.
• I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth (even in recovery room if c-section is required).
• Do not offer my baby the following without my consent:
o formula, pacifiers, any artificial nipples, sugar water, etc.
• If baby’s blood sugar is low, we will be self-expressing colostrum in lieu of sugar water
BABY'S HEALTH:
If my baby's health is in jeopardy, I would like:
• To be transported with my baby if possible, if I am unable to have father go with our baby
• to breastfeed or express my milk for my baby
• to have as much bodily contact with my baby as possible
• to be offered a room at the hospital for the duration of my baby's stay (within reason)
Written By Erin Bigalke
If my baby's health is in jeopardy, I would like:
• To be transported with my baby if possible, if I am unable to have father go with our baby
• to breastfeed or express my milk for my baby
• to have as much bodily contact with my baby as possible
• to be offered a room at the hospital for the duration of my baby's stay (within reason)
Written By Erin Bigalke
