What Breastfeeding Supplies to Bring to the Hospital

Many new moms wonder what breastfeeding “supplies” they need to bring to the hospital when they deliver. Quite simply, all you really need to get breastfeeding off to a good start is you and your baby.

At MoBap, we have everything you may need, including an electric breast pump. This is something you’ll need if you have a premature baby or need to pump for any reason after delivery. We also have treatment creams for tender nipples.

However, there are a couple of things that you may want to bring with you to the hospital when you deliver. First, bring your breastfeeding pillow that you plan to use at home, so you can practice with it while you’re here and have our staff help you position it correctly. We also suggest bringing a nursing nightgown or top to make breastfeeding easier and more comfortable.

We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you as your begin this breastfeeding journey!

Where to Turn for Help: Breastfeeding Resources for New Moms

Becoming a new mom is an incredibly wonderful and emotional experience. However, with so many changes, it can also be really overwhelming and confusing. For instance, new moms are often bombarded with lots of advice from well-meaning friends and family, health providers, and hospital staff who just want to help. Unfortunately, whether it’s solicited or not, it can be difficult to know the difference between constructive and destructive advice.

Regardless of the advice you’re given, YOU are the expert on your baby. As new moms, we all have lots of questions. That’s why it’s important to learn from trusted resources. For help with breastfeeding, we recommend taking a prenatal breastfeeding class or reading a resourceful book such as Breastfeeding: A Parent's Guide by Amy Spangler. In the hospital, take advantage of professional help offered by the nurses and lactation consultants. It’s also important to select a pediatrician who supports your breastfeeding goals.

After you’re discharged from the hospital, you can find additional help with our lactation support groups as well as outpatient services. Our certified lactation consultants are here to support you as you develop your own breastfeeding experience. Family and friends are also wonderful resources, as long as they’re supportive and don’t try to impose their personal opinions or preferences, especially if they contradict your breastfeeding goals.

Remember, breastfeeding requires practice and patience. It’s a skill that you and your baby are learning together. Hang in there, and before you know it, you’ll feel like the expert when it comes to caring for your newborn baby.

Finding Relief from Nipple Soreness

Nipple soreness is often the number one complaint among breastfeeding moms. And for some, it can be the main reason that they stop breastfeeding altogether. The truth is nipple soreness is not that uncommon, particularly in the very beginning of the breastfeeding relationship. However, this initial pain or tenderness often subsides after only a few days.

Nipple soreness can also occur for other reasons. For example, some breastfeeding moms experience soreness due to dry, cracked and even bleeding nipples as their breasts adjust to nursing a newborn with a voracious appetite. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the nipples to toughen up and become less sensitive. For other breastfeeding moms, nipple soreness may be caused by a poor latch or a yeast infection (also known as Candida).

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help relieve nipple soreness so you can continue breastfeeding your baby comfortably:

• To ensure a proper latch, your baby’s mouth should completely cover the nipple while nursing.

• To avoid a yeast infection, be sure to change your nursing bra and breast pads frequently, and allow your breasts to air dry immediately after a feeding.   

• Try applying pure lanolin or a special nipple cream directly on the breasts in between feedings, which can help soothe sore nipples. Lanolin and nipple creams are perfectly safe for your baby, so you don’t need to wipe them off before a feeding.

• You can also apply cooling gel pads to the nipples for relief before and after feedings.

If you’ve tried some of these suggestions and you’re still experiencing nipple soreness, you may want to talk to a lactation consultant to rule out any other issues (e.g. make sure your baby isn’t tongue-tied).  Typically, after observing one nursing session, a lactation consultant can quickly pinpoint what may be causing your chronic nipple pain and prescribe the appropriate form of relief.

What’s the Difference between a Lactation Consultant and a Breastfeeding Specialist?

This is a popular question that we get from our breastfeeding moms. With so many resources and “specialists” out there, it can be rather confusing, particularly if you’re a new mom who’s struggling with breastfeeding. How do you know if the person giving you advice about breastfeeding is actually qualified to do so?

A “lactation consultant” is a healthcare professional who has received at least 90 hours of lactation education, undergone more than 1,000 hours of lactation-specific clinical training, and passed the exam given by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. By passing this exam, a lactation consultant is then certified and may use the letters “IBCLC” after her name. Additionally, all IBCLCs must renew their certification via continuing education units every five years and via re-examination every 10 years. These measures are considered the standard in the field.

On the other hand, you may encounter a breastfeeding specialist, counselor or expert who refers to herself as a lactation consultant. She may even have credentials like CLE or CLC after her name, indicating that she’s completed some coursework to earn a certificate. Although this training is valuable for teaching breastfeeding classes and helping with basic breastfeeding, it does not make a specialist qualified to consult with moms and babies on more challenging breastfeeding issues. Only an IBCLC is guaranteed to have the extensive education, training and clinical experience to provide this level of care and support. In other words, a breastfeeding specialist who is not a board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) is not considered a legitimate lactation consultant.

At Missouri Baptist Medical Center, we have a staff of eight IBCLCs, who are available 365 days a year to provide support for breastfeeding patients and the hospital’s mother-baby nursing staff. We also have a well-trained staff of certified lactation counselors (CLCs) available for breastfeeding support. We take pride in being able to offer advanced, comprehensive breastfeeding care for our new moms and babies.

Happy Breastfeeding Week!

At MoBap, we recognize that every mom has her own personal goals and expectations with breastfeeding, and we want you to know that we’re here to support you in any way we can. We commend all new moms, especially those who’ve chosen to provide such a healthy start for their little ones. You’ve already done so much for your baby on this journey, so now’s the time to celebrate YOU!

This week (August 1-7), we’re honoring breastfeeding moms by celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2013. This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers,” which promotes the importance of breastfeeding peer counseling, including mother-to-mother support, as well as support from trained healthcare workers, lactation consultants, community leaders, and friends and family.

At MoBap, we’ve seen firsthand how valuable peer counseling is for breastfeeding moms. More importantly, we value the wonderful support that moms provide to one another in our breastfeeding support groups. It’s just one more reason why we’re incredibly proud of each and every one of you!

So, from the lactation consultants at MoBap, we hope you enjoy your special week that celebrates breastfeeding, not only here, but worldwide! Be sure to take a moment to celebrate yourself and all that you’ve done for your little one.

Introducing Solid Foods

Parents often get conflicting and confusing advice about introducing solid foods to their infants. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six month before slowly introducing solid foods. However, some Western countries, like the United States, introduce solids as early as four months. 

There are a number of solid foods you can introduce to your baby, including cereal, fruits, veggies and meats. Normal, healthy babies should be given a variety of foods. In order to help maintain your milk supply, consider offering solids after your baby has nursed. Also, whatever solid foods you offer should include two important minerals – iron and zinc. 

So how do you know when to introduce solids? Your baby will usually display some signs of readiness: 
• Hand-eye coordination
• A developed immune system
• A mature digestive system
• The presence of teeth
• A growth spurt that’s unresolved with more frequent nursing

Introducing solids can be a fun, pleasant experience for both moms and babies. Whether you introduce solids at four months or six months, breast milk will still be your baby’s primary food source until the age of one, offering continued protection from illnesses. 

-Sue, IBCLC

Proper Breastfeeding Positions

Breastfeeding, one of the most natural acts in the world, takes practice. And learning how to support and hold your baby takes coordination and patience. During the first several weeks postpartum, positioning your baby at the breast is an important first step in achieving a successful latch. In fact, achieving a proper position and successful latch can help prevent sore nipples (a common complaint among many breastfeeding moms).

There are four main types of breastfeeding positions: 1) the cradle hold, 2) cross-cradle hold, 3) football hold, and 4) side lying. However, the most important factor in any breastfeeding position is to make sure both you and your baby are comfortable.

The following are a few suggestions to help you establish a successful, comfortable breastfeeding relationship with your baby, regardless of which nursing position you use:

• Bring your baby to your breast – not the other way around.
• Support your breasts using either a C-hold (four fingers underneath the breast and thumb on top) or a V-hold (support your breast between your splayed index and middle fingers).
• Use your arm and hand – plus pillows or folded blankets – to support your baby’s head, neck, back and hips, while keeping them in a straight line.
• Experiment to find a nursing position that you find most comfortable.

Finally, consider alternating between different breastfeeding positions. Many women find that this is the best way to avoid getting clogged milk ducts. 

Now, relax, take a deep breath, and nurse your baby.

April (IBCLC)