If You Decide to Breastfeed

Although natural, breastfeeding is not always easy. Our highly trained nurses will help you and your baby “learn” this important practice.

Deciding to breastfeed is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. It is the ideal way to feed and nurture your baby. Natural as it is, however, both you and your baby will need to “learn” breastfeeding together. Our highly educated nurses and certified lactation consultants will help you begin, and we will work with you to build your confidence. This guidance will help prevent possible problems such as sore nipples, sore breasts, and milk over- and under-supply that cause some women to give up and opt for formula.

All of our nurses are educated in lactation support (helping new mothers with breastfeeding). Lehigh Valley Health Network also staffs certified lactation consultants (health care professionals who specialize in breastfeeding). Our certified lactation consultants make rounds on our mother-baby unit every day, visiting each breastfeeding mother at least once a day to offer guidance and support. Our lactation consultants will even provide you with a phone number to call after discharge so they can help you solve breastfeeding issues that may crop up after you leave the hospital.

Feel free to also enroll in our Monday-Morning Moms group. Organized and run by one of our certified lactation consultants, the group will put you in touch with other nursing mothers who will support you in your efforts. (We also offer breastfeeding classes that you may take during your pregnancy to prepare for this experience.)

If you do not already have breastfeeding supplies, you can find everything you need at our pharmacy, which stocks hospital-grade breast pumps for rental, nursing pads and creams.

Why Should I Breastfeed My Baby?

Breastfeeding is the most natural and healthy way to help your baby grow and develop. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk as the ideal infant food. Here are a few of the benefits you and your baby get from breastfeeding.

Benefits for the Baby

• fewer respiratory infections
• fewer ear infections, diarrheal infections and allergies
• lower risk for adult obesity
• lower risk for chronic digestive diseases
• milder effects from childhood illnesses
• lower risk for childhood diabetes and lymphomas
• tendency for higher IQs than formula-fed babies
• fewer dental cavities and orthodontic problems
• emotional and physical benefits of skin-to-skin contact with mother

Benefits for the Mother

• faster weight loss after delivery
• lower risk for premenopause and menopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and osteoporosis
• natural relaxing effect from a hormone released into the mother’s bloodstream during breastfeeding

This page last updated 12/14/08 02:04 PM