The Latest About Breastfeeding: Education and Support bought to you by Memorial Healthcare System

Empower parents, enable breastfeeding is the theme of the World Alliance for Breast Feeding Action’s (WABA) annual celebration, and that’s what Memorial Healthcare System’s Family Birthplaces are committed to doing through education and breastfeeding support.

“We know how chaotic and stressful it can be for parents the first few days of their new baby’s life, and our goal is to make the transition into parenthood easier, said Pamela Hendrix, BAM RNIV, RLC,  lactation consultant at Memorial Hospital West, one of three Family Birthplaces at Memorial Healthcare System. “We strive to be inclusive and supportive of all parents and their partners, and help new moms achieve their breastfeeding goals.”

While August is National Breastfeeding Month, breastfeeding support is offered all year long at all Memorial Healthcare System Family Birthplaces!  Memorial’s team of board-certified lactation consultants have extensive knowledge and experience in counseling families about breastfeeding in all three stages: prenatal, after birth and even once the parents leave the hospital.

“Breastfeeding can be one of the most fulfilling experiences a mother could have, and with that there may be some challenges for some mothers. A board certified lactation consultant can help,” said Hendrix, who is an international board certified lactation consultant.    

Memorial Healthcare System has three Family Birthplaces, with each located at Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Miramar. Breastfeeding classes and a host of other educational classes to help in preparation for parenthood are offered at each Family Birthplace. In the spirit of sharing, Memorial lactation consultants are offering 10 tips to help mothers through the beginning stages of breastfeeding.

10 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

1. Take a prenatal breastfeeding class, and make sure that your partner attends! When the baby comes you will need support and a cheerleader.
2. Try not to use pacifiers or bottles in the first month of life (There may be exceptions to this, see your lactation consultant to discuss.) These can potentially cause confusion for the baby early on, but you can still be successful if this occurs.
3. Join a breastfeeding support group. The Family Birthplace offers groups at all three of the locations. It is important to get out of the house, meet other breastfeeding moms and get all or your questions answered.  Groups like La Leche League also offer local support and resources once you bring home your new baby.
4. Don’t Google, use Kellymom.com. It is an evidence-based search engine for breastfeeding.
5. Eat to your hunger, drink to your thirst.  According to Kellymom.com, a nursing mom needs an additional 300-500 calories per day.  
6. If you are having trouble, get help ASAP.  Do NOT wait, call for a lactation consultant for help. Also, always visit with the consultant before you leave the hospital.
7. Engorgement as your mature milk comes in should pass within 1-2 days with good nursing and a little pumping if needed. But call an IBCLC (Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant) for tips to ensure you are doing OK.
8. Don’t give up on your worst day!  Just like so many things in life it may not be easy at first, but it does get easier. And breastfeeding can save you time and money, plus builds the health of your family.  Detours do not mean failure! 
9. If you cannot make enough milk once you tried and worked with your lactation consultant, know this, YOU DID NOT FAIL.  (This is not an exam!) You did your best so be proud that you are offering your baby as much as you can for as long as you can.  Any breast milk is going to be better than no breast milk, even if it’s just one day, one feeding, or one month.
10. Pass on what you learn to other women, even if you couldn’t make enough milk. Women helping women is the best way to help pass on the love and superpowers of moms’ milk to your babies.

About Family Birthplace Support

The Family Birthplace offers breastfeeding classes for parents at all three locations throughout South Florida.  Once the baby is delivered, parents have access to lactation consultants during their hospital stay. New mothers can learn how to breastfeed successfully with in-hospital support and once they have been discharged there are breastfeeding support groups located at all three Memorial Healthcare System Family Birthplace locations.

There is even more breastfeeding support on the horizon!  Memorial West Hospital is piloting a program utilizing the telehealth technology.  Lactation consultants will soon be able to triage patients via video chat and help them overcome any breastfeeding obstacles that may not require an in-person visit. What a gift to new moms!

For more information about Memorial Healthcare System’s Family Birthplace click here.