Welcome to Breastfeeding Tips

Hospital Policy on Milk Storage

Be sure to check on the hospital's storage policies. They vary from hospital to hospital and may include special storage containers or a time limit on how long milk can be stored before use.

Hang in There!

Finally, try not to get too discouraged. There are some babies who will never physically be able to nurse. They are the exception rather than the rule. Most babies, with patience and perseverance, will eventually be able to reap the many benefits of breastfeeding.

Store all Expressed Milk

If your baby is unable to be given the milk you express for him it may seem as though you have a great surplus. Rest assured- when he is able to eat this will all come in handy!
Check out your hospitals policy on storing expressed breast milk and save it for later.

Surround Yourself With Support

Try to find at least one contact person who is supportive of your efforts to breastfeed. The isolation of being in the hospital with a sick baby is very stressful. Trying to nurse your baby without anyone to encourage you during this time is doubly difficult. The hospital staff are often so caught up with calories and “ins” (milliliters taken in each day), not to mention the dreaded daily weight check, that breastfeeding may be viewed as an inconvenience. It is much more difficult to measure. Someone who can pat you on the back when you're discouraged and celebrate with you when you've made progress, no matter how little, can be invaluable. If you have no close friends who would fit the bill, contact a local La Leche League Leader.

Inform Your Support Person

It is important to discuss your desire to breastfeed with your partner or support person so that they can notify your health care providers if you are unable to do so. An epidural is usually used for C-sections but occasionally, it is necessary to use a general anaesthetic and you may be too groggy or overwhelmed to make your wishes clear.

Look After Yourself

This always seems to be redundant advice, but it is important and bears repeating. Try to rest and eat. When you're worried about your sick baby you may not feel like eating or be unable to sleep for more than an hour or two at a time. Inadequate rest and nutrition may interfere with your milk supply. Don't expect perfection. Sleep as much as possible and try to eat at least two small meals a day. On the ward it will be possible to keep a snack or nutritious drink nearby. In ICU you may be able to keep at least a cup of water handy. It depends on ICU policy and also the nurse on duty, but it's worth asking.

Pain Free Positioning

An IBCLC or LLL (NMAA in Australia) counsellor can show you how to position your baby so as to keep its weight off your incision. It may also be a good idea to have your partner or support person present during this time so that he can help you in the future.

Pain Medication

Discuss your pain medication with your doctor. There are very few medications that cannot be taken while you are breastfeeding.

Pump Regularly

It is important to pump frequently so that you can build up your supply. Most mothers find that they need to pump 6-8 times a day.

Putting Baby to the Breast

Once you can hold and cuddle your baby, put him to the breast even if he's too weak to nurse. The stimulation to the breast will aid in your pumping efforts and it will help your baby to learn or relearn that not all touching is bad. Some babies have an aversion to anything touching their face or mouth after being intubated for a time. You may be able to help prevent this by allowing him the chance to suck on your finger even while intubated. In any case, do not force the issue if the baby doesn't want to nuzzle the nipple. You may need to start slowly, perhaps letting him rest his head on your chest with your shirt down and gradually working up to more skin contact until his face is lying on your chest with your shirt up. Eventually he'll get the idea.

Avoiding Nipple Confusion

Try to avoid rubber nipples, bottles or pacifiers. A baby that is unable to nurse may get even more confused if given rubber nipples to suck on. Drinking from a bottle is more physiologically stressful than nursing, and requires a whole different set of actions. Sometimes there may be a hospital policy involved.In a particular cardiac ICU, it was the policy that a baby be able to suck from a bottle, lying down, before being transferred to the ward. The theory was that if the baby could accomplish such a physically stressful feat without going into cardiac arrest, it was probably safe to move him/her into a less supervised setting.

Stress Free Administration of Medication

If your baby won't nurse and is being tube-fed, try to avoid giving medications by mouth. Oral medication can usually be put down the tube. This avoids any additional negative oral stimulation and may make efforts to breastfeed go a little more smoothly.

Calorie Content of Breast Milk

Breastmilk is calculated as having 20 calories per ounce. High calorie formulas, containing 24-27 calories per ounce, are frequently advised for use in compromised babies. Human Milk Fortifier (HMF), developed for use with premature infants, is often used as a “filler” when an infant is being tube-fed expressed breastmilk. HMF is cow's milk based and may cause an allergic reaction. A full term baby on HMF may also need to be monitored for electrolyte imbalances because they don't have the same nutritional deficiencies as preemies.Another commonly used filler is Polycose.It is basically a simple carbohydrate, but may also cause allergic reactions. Various studies have concluded that the caloric content of human milk varies from mother to mother.