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When it comes to breastfeeding, having a positive and supportive environment is key. Osler’s lactation teams support parents at all three of our hospital sites to encourage and educate family members to participate in the learnings of everything breastfeeding. To provide some insights, we spoke with Jacqueline James, Lactation Consultant and how to empower new parents when it comes to breastfeeding. Jacqueline shared these learnings and tips:
Breastfeeding benefits both parent and baby
- Breast milk is filled with antibodies! Breastfeeding a baby in the first six months of its life helps fight infections and allows the baby to develop a strong immune system.
- Breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. If you decide to breastfeed, the hormonal changes during lactation may delay your menstrual cycle and prevent exposure to hormones such as estrogen.
- Breastfeeding is also environmentally friendly and free
Top tips for breastfeeding
- Skin-to-skin: Babies usually feel calmer after hearing your heartbeat and breathing as it helps them adjust to life outside of the womb. Skin-to-skin contact may also help your breast milk supply by encouraging your baby to feed often and well.
- Be confident! Try your best to not get discouraged if breastfeeding isn’t working right away. If you’re looking for help or guidance, there are resources in our community that can help with breastfeeding once you go home with your baby.
- Get your baby to your breast as soon as possible. If your goal is to breastfeed, it’s most likely you’ll be successful right after you deliver as you’ll get support from the nurses in Labour and Delivery if needed.
Jaqueline also shared some common misconceptions about breastfeeding:
- Babies will immediately breastfeed after birth
This is not entirely true. In the first 24 hours babies are commonly very alert for about an hour after birth. Within this hour, we encourage you to breastfeed because after, most babies will go into a deep sleep. - The fear of having no milk
Don’t be discouraged if after the first hour you don’t have breast milk. For most, the big supply doesn’t come until around day four. - The baby needs large volumes of breast milk
The baby’s tummy size at birth is about the size of a cherry, so the small volume of breast milk produced when the baby first comes out is all they need.
Alternative to breastfeeding
At Osler, we recognize that breastfeeding is a choice and may not be an option for every parent. An alternative and safe option for those who choose not to breastfeed or cannot breastfeed, is to use formula. We encourage you to discuss your options with your primary care physician.
Top tips for bottle feeding
- Skin-to-skin still applies. If possible, feed your baby skin-to-skin as this will encourage your baby to drink at a good pace and help prevent choking and overfeeding.
- Make sure your baby takes a breath every three to five sucks. If they are not taking breaths, remove the bottle and pause for five seconds to let the baby breathe.
- Before feeding, always check the temperature of the formula by letting a drop of formula fall on your wrist. The formula should feel warm.
How can loved ones help?
- Learn how to change a diaper, bundle the baby and watch for feeding cues
- Support the new parent in any way possible, such as taking over household chores
- Support the new parent if family/friends challenge their decisions
To learn more about the breastfeeding support at Osler, visit our Women’s and Children’s Services.
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