Breastfeeding: A Family Affair
The benefits of breastfeeding
To your baby:
- The milk you make is just right for YOUR baby.
- Breastmilk is easier for the baby to digest than formula.
- Breastmilk fights germs.
- Breastmilk decreases risk for food allergies.
- Breastmilk decreases risk that your baby will develop juvenile diabetes.
- Breastmilk changes as your body changes.
- The act of breastfeeding gives a baby a sense of security and belonging.
To you and your family:
- Breastfeeding is convenient - no bottles to prepare, no worrying about proper storage.
- Breastfeeding saves money. Potential savings of $1,435 in health-care costs for infants breastfed for six months according to recent research, and $1,000 in cost of formula for one year.
- Environmentally friendly - no waste to go into landfills.
- Decreases mother's risk for breast cancer prior to menopause.
- Helps moms recover faster from the delivery process.
- Promotes confidence in parenting skills.
Dads can help too!
Dads are important people in the parenting process.
What are some ways they can nurture mom and baby?- Create a positive environment which supports and encourages mom to breastfeed.
- Take time to focus on mom and baby in the early weeks. If possible, cut back on work for a couple of weeks to help mom get to know your baby.
- Help keep the house organized and clean.
- Help the other children adjust. Spend special time with them.
- Take the baby and any other children for a walk while mom takes a shower or rests.
- Hold and cuddle your newborn baby after mom is finished nursing. Give baths and massages to your little one. Talk and sing. Babies love hearing the deeper voices of dads.
If you see that mom and baby need help, encourage mom to contact a professional who will be supportive of your family's chosen feeding preference. Call FTMC and ask to talk to our Lactation Consultant.
Grandparents are important too!
- Provide support and encouragement.
- Schedule outings with other children.
- Bring dinner when visiting.
When to call for help
- Your baby wets less than four times in a 24-hour period by day four, or urine is orange or dark yellow after three days.
- Your baby's bowel movements have not changed to a yellow-mustard color and increased in amount and frequency by day four.
- Baby is nursing less than eight times a day or more than 14 times a day.
- You can not hear your baby swallowing during feeding. Frequency of swallowing at the breast should increase throughout the first week. You should not hear a clicking sound.
- Your baby's skin is becoming yellow in color.
- You have sore nipples which are not getting better or are becoming more sore, are cracked or bleeding.
- Your breasts are so engorged (swollen and hard) that you cannot latch baby on. You notice any red areas or lumps on your breasts.
- You have ANY concerns about breastfeeding.
- Your baby is listless, soft spot is depressed, color is pale, and mucous membranes are dry inside of mouth.
Lactation Services by FTMC
- International Board Certified Lactation Consultant on staff to serve the needs of nursing moms and babies
- Telephone consultation
- Visits and support for moms and babies in the hospital
- Visits and support for moms and babies at home
- Referrals from and to other professional services
- Educational in-services for professionals
- Prenatal breastfeeding education - Individual and group settings
- Breast pump rentals
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a Lactation Consultant, call 800-668-8788 ext. 6490