Hospital policies and breast-feeding
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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
References
Citations
American Academy of Pediatrics Work Group on Breastfeeding (2001). Ten steps to support parents' choice to breastfeed their baby. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 48(2): 533–537.
Philip BL, Merewood A (2004). The baby-friendly way: The best breastfeeding start. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 51(3): 761–783.
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 10, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 10, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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