After your baby arrives, the nursing staff will assist you with all breastfeeding concerns/needs. International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and Breastfeeding Resource Nurses will offer help and expertise to breastfeeding mothers. Piedmont
Medical Center lactation consultants are available to mothers throughout their breastfeeding process. During your first week at home, you will receive a phone call from your lactation consultant to offer support, information and assurance.
A breastfeeding support group meets weekly and mothers with babies are encouraged to attend. Mothers who have delivered at Piedmont Medical Center may request complimentary outpatient appointments for additional lactation consultations or weight checks
for your baby. Individual appointments are also available for mothers returning to work who need additional information and assistance.
Baby-Friendly Designation
by Baby-Friendly USA, Inc.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund in 1991. Its goal is to encourage hospitals and birthing centers to provide excellent care in the areas of infant feeding
as well as mother and baby bonding. In order to receive the designation, facilities implement “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.” This includes having a written infant feeding policy, providing family-cantered care, and helping mothers
initiate breastfeeding within an hour of birth.
As a result, PMC has changed how infants and mothers are cared for right after a baby is born. Following delivery, the baby is laid on a warm blanket on the mom’s chest, where it is dried with a towel. Then the baby is put skin to skin with mom,
and a warm blanket is laid over them both. Research shows that being cradled skin to skin is the most effective way to stabilize a baby’s temperature.
The benefits of Breastfeeding & Skin-to-Skin:
A Newborn’s First Hour of Life Skin-to-Skin
A newborn has many initial changes to make from the nourishing and protective environment of the womb to the new outside world. Immediately after birth, skin-to-skin contact is important to help the baby maintain a normal temperature, regulate breathing
and heart rate, and prepare them for their first feeding. Skin-to-skin contact also helps them be more alert, peaceful and cry less. Your Baby’s weight will be measured after The Golden Hour, and baby’s first bath will be given later.
Why Breastfeed
Breast milk is a perfectly-matched nutrition for baby, filled with antibodies that protect against infection, and is easily digested. For baby, not receiving breast milk can increase risk for ear infections, severe lower-respiratory tract infections,
obesity, allergies, diabetes and other illnesses. For mom, not breastfeeding can increase bleeding after birth, lengthens the time it takes for the uterus to return to pre-pregnancy size, and increase her risk of certain cancers and illnesses.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), women who do not have health problems should exclusively breastfeed their infants for at least the first 6 months of life, ideally continuing to breastfeed as other foods are introduced for a period
of 1 year or longer- as mutually desired by mother and infant.
Infant Feeding
During the initial birth skin-to-skin contact, your baby will naturally begin to be interested in their first feeding and latch onto mom’s breast. It is important to watch for your newborn’s feeding cues and initiate the first breastfeeding
when seen, usually within the first hour of life. This time creates a prolonged positive breastfeeding experience for both mom and baby.
Newborns naturally desire at least 8-12 feedings in a 24-hour period. Newborns should eat whenever they show feeding cues (signs of hunger). All babies are different in how much and how frequently they desire to eat. It is important to pay attention to
baby and allow them to lead in their feedings. Newborns’ stomachs are very tiny at birth and grow a little larger each day. Colostrum is concentrated milk which all mothers have at the birth of their baby. The amount of colostrum milk initially
is small so the baby’s stomach will not be overfilled. This is important while the newborn is learning to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. In the first days, the amount of milk increases each day and by 72-96 hours of age the baby
will be receiving ounces at each feeding.
While there are several ways to hold your baby during feeding, a correct latch will assure the most effective drinking of milk. All of mom’s nipple and as much areola as possible should be in baby’s mouth, with lips flanged or turned out. Listen and watch for swallowing. Your nurses and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) are available to assess and assist with all breastfeeding needs. We encourage expectant mothers to attend Piedmont’s Prenatal Breastfeeding Class (offered monthly). After birth, mothers enjoy coming to our weekly Breastfeeding Support Group for the help they receive there.
Rooming-In
During your stay at the hospital, baby will stay in mom’s room 24-hours a day. Both mom and baby benefit from this close intimacy. Babies cry less and are easier to calm when they are with their mother. Being with baby allows mom/family to know their baby well by the time they go home together. They learn their baby’s waking/sleeping cycles, feeding cues, and soothing needs. Rooming-in can help mom and baby rest well.
Afternoon Quiet Time
We provide a designated 2-hour ‘quiet time’ every afternoon to give mom and baby an opportunity to nap. During this 2-hour time we intentionally attempt to not schedule routine medical interruptions.
