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

Citations

1. 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.

2. Philip BL, Merewood A (2004). The baby-friendly way: The best breastfeeding start. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 51(3): 761–783.