Lactation

 

Breastfeeding Basics--Helpful· Information and Tips for Success

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. We at Glendale Pediatrics strongly support breastfeeding, and weare committed to helping you achieve your breastfeeding goals. Most women who stop breastfeeding early on after the birth of their baby do so because of misinformation. This sheet provides a brief guide that can help you through the first few days of feeding, but it is not intended as a substitute for the guidance of your pediatrician or lactation expert.

  1. Try to breastfeed as soon as possible (within one hour) after delivery of your newborn. 
    Even if baby just licks and "nipples" at the breast, that's a good beginning! 
  2. Practice skin-to-skin in the hospital and once you are home. Strip baby down to the 
    diaper and keep him/her close on your bare chest as much as possible. 
  3. The early milk is called colostrum, and it is rich in protein and antibodies. It is highly 
    concentrated, so baby only needs small amounts at a time. 
  4. Often it is hard to tell whether baby is getting any milk in the early days. Listen for 
    swallows and try to keep baby awake during feedings. 
  5. Breastfeeding should not hurt! If feeding is painful it is probably because baby's latch is 
    incorrect. Encourage baby to latch on with a wide-open mouth, taking in as much of the 
    areola (the area around the nipple) as possible. 
  6. Newborns need to feed 8-12 times in a 24-hour period. Try to feed the baby every 2 
    hours during the day (counting from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the 
    next). Most newborns will "cluster feed" during the early days and may want to be on the 
    breast every hour at times 
  7. Do not supplement with formula unless directed to by your pediatrician! Rarely does a 
    healthy newborn need supplementation. If baby is urinating and stooling appropriately 'and 
    has not lost too much weight, there is usually no need to supplement. 

    Glendale Pediatrics is here to provide you with the information and support you need to 
    make breastfeeding a successful and happy experience for you and your baby!