Breast Feeding: Bonding With Your BABY

Breastfeeding is beneficial to both you and your baby. Your breasts will fill with milk (turning warmer and firmer) approximately two to five days after you give birth. At first, breastfeeding may be difficult or intimidating, but it is one of the best things you can do for your child.

Benefits For Your BABY:

• Increased protection against infections, asthma, allergies, and diabetes
• Easier digestion and decreased likeliness of stomach upset
• Enhanced brain development
• Lower chance of obesity later in life
• The sense of bonding, comfort, and security from mother

Benefits For You:

• Higher likelihood to return to your pre-pregnancy weight and reduced risk for long-term obesity
• Faster postpartum recovery and reduced risk of postpartum bleeding
• Increased closeness and bonding with baby
• Decreased chance of developing breast and ovarian cancers and osteoporosis
• More cost efficiency and convenience

Lactation Consultants

We have certified lactation consultants and Breastfeeding Counsellors. Our trained and capable nursing staff is also on hand to provide you with lactation support at any time.

Mothers who wish to nurse their babies soon after birth can receive assistance from lactation consultants, who will review correct breastfeeding and pumping techniques with you and will be on hand to address any questions and concerns you may have, including proper nutrition while breastfeeding.

Breast Feeding Techniques

Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are encouraged while you breastfeed. Because what you eat and drink can be passed down to your baby through breast milk, it is recommended that you do not drink alcohol while breastfeeding. You should limit your caffeine consumption while breastfeeding, or feed your child more than an hour after you have caffeine.

Cues That Your BABY is Ready To Feed:

• Thrusting his or her tongue against her bottom gum (rooting)
• Smacking his or her lips
• Lifting his or her hands toward the mouth
• Rapidly fluttering eyes while his or her eyes are shut
• Crying is a very late cue that your baby needs feeding, be sure to calm him or her before you attempt breastfeeding

Make sure both you and your baby are in a supportive, comfortable position for feeding with your baby’s head and body level with your breast and your arm under his or her back for support. Once your baby latches onto your whole nipple and areole you should not hear any clicking or smacking sounds during the feeding.

Complications To Watch Out For While Breast Feeding:

• If you develop blisters, bruises, or cracks on your nipples, your baby is not positioning or latching properly. Do not use lotion or soap and water; instead rubbing your nipples with the colostrums/breast milk that you excrete after feedings will condition your nipples and protect them from bacteria.
• If you develop breast engorgement (hard, painful, swollen breasts) establish early, frequent feedings 8 to 12 times in a 24 hour period and do not go three hours without breastfeeding or pumping.

Breast Pumping Techniques

At times (if your baby is premature or you are returning to work), you may need to use a device to electronically pump your breasts for milk. Do not get overly anxious if you do not produce much milk from your first attempts at pumping; stress and exhaustion can inhibit your “let down” reflex.