Hospital policies and breast-feeding
It is important to have breast-feeding support from your doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who care for you and your baby. Fortunately, most people involved in health care are aware of the benefits of breast-feeding. Before having your baby, research the breast-feeding policies at your hospital of choice. Look at policies related to:
- The first feeding. Unless your baby is born needing immediate medical care, it is best to begin breast-feeding within 1 hour of birth. Also, immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby after delivery may help promote long-term and successful breast-feeding.
- "Rooming in," which encourages having your baby in the room with you. This policy usually allows more frequent breast-feeding.
- Supplemental feedings. Inform the hospital staff that your baby is to be exclusively breast-fed from birth, unless supplementation is medically necessary. If hospital staff feed your baby water, sugar solution, or formula immediately after birth without a medical reason, it may make it harder for you to establish breast-feeding.
- Pacifiers or artificial nipples. Hospital staff should not give your newborn pacifiers or related items without your permission. They may interfere with breast-feeding.
- Follow-up. Find out whether your hospital can help you with breast-feeding issues once you go home. Personal visits by a lactation consultant are best. Assistance and advice given over the phone also is helpful. See if you can get information on breast-feeding support groups or other contacts should you need help establishing and continuing your breast-feeding routine.
Do not accept free formula samples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages hospitals to have written breast-feeding policies that are shared with all staff. Hospitals with such documented plans and procedures are more likely to have a well-coordinated system that supports your breast-feeding efforts.1 Hospitals that are "baby-friendly" have well-trained, supportive staff who are familiar with and practice these strategies.2
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: May 10, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine | |
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