Feeding your newborn at Gunnison Valley Health

Feeding your newborn

Breastfeeding

• Breastfeeding is the recommended way to feed you baby by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Breastfeeding provides many nutritional and health benefits to your baby and also costs less than formula.

• Benefits include:
  • Helps brain development and strengthens baby’s immune system to fight off disease and sickness.
  • Increases oxytocin in the mother- the love hormone.
  • Reduces risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
  • Reduces the risk of obesity, asthma, Type II diabetes, and lower respiratory infections in your child.
  • Causes uterus to contract and return to its normal size.
  • Reduces risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer and Type II diabetes in mothers.
  • Provides a special bonding experience for you and your baby.

• If you are unsure about breastfeeding or if you have questions, let’s talk! Call GVH lactation or talk to your OB nurses.

• Breastfeeding details in your booklet, with the lactation consultant and with your nurse.

• While you are here, expect lots of time with breastfeeding sessions with your baby, education, tips and tricks.

• Topics covered include:
  • Colostrum and breast milk
  • Frequency and duration of breastfeeding
    • Feeding log
  • Baby’s latch onto the breast and different positions
  • Hand-expression
  • Pumping and breast milk storage
  • Engorgement
  • Difficulties, discomfort and troubleshooting

• If you plan to use a breast pump, it can be helpful to bring your pump to the hospital for a tutorial if you have not used it before.
• If pumping is necessary so is the purchase of a pump bra.

Breast Soreness

• Soothies: cooling gel pads that can be placed directly onto your nipples and areola to relieve discomfort.

• Lanolin Cream: Lanolin nipple cream used to soothe and protect sore, dry nipples.

• Ice: Used to relieve the discomfort related to swelling when your breast milk first comes in.

• You can also express some of your own breast milk onto your nipple and let it air dry to promote healing.

• If you have any other issues, let your nurse know and they will assist you or consult with a lactation consultant. We are here to help!

Bottle Feeding

• Bottle feeding can be done with pumped breast milk or formula.

• There can be medical needs to feed you baby formula in the hospital, however, it is still recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to breastfeed.

• If you decide to use formula, talk to your lactation consultant or physician to help pick one that best fits your baby’s needs.

• Formula can be purchased pre-mixed or powdered. Powdered needs to be mixed with distilled water. Avoid using tap water when possible.

• Once you have mixed formula and distilled water, or are ready to warm expressed breast milk, warm the bottle using either a bottle warmer, or a container with boiling water. NEVER microwave a bottle. Microwaves will create hot spots in the liquid and can cause serious damage to your baby.
• Discard any unused breastmilk or formula within 1 hour after feeding.
• Wash bottles and nipples with hot soapy water.

If you are unsure about which method to feed your baby or if you have questions, please feel free to contact an OB nurse or lactation consultant at any time.

Here is an article that compares popular bottles, however it can be ill advised to order too many bottles before baby is born. Baby’s often form their own opinions and often are particular about their bottles. Wait until you have your baby to get too many bottles of one kind. https://www.todaysparent.com/product-reviews/feeding/plastic-baby-bottles/best-plastic-baby-bottles/

Whatever bottle you choose, be sure that you pay attention to the flow rate of the nipple. There will often be small drop images at the top of the package that delineate what age that bottle nipple is appropriate for. If the flow is too fast small babies often choke and gag.

Hand Expression is a Useful Skill

Improve milk flow with pumping and hand expression:

• Relax and think of your baby
• If your baby is not with you, look at a picture or video
• Use a warm washcloth on your breast
• Practice in the shower
• If you experience a clogged duct do not massage it, use a cold compress and Tylenol and Ibuprofen for discomfort. Massaging ducts has been shown to lead to abscesses.

For ongoing feeding tips and evidenced based information please visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/breastfeeding-essentials

Next