10 FAQs about breastfeeding

1. Why should I breastfeed?

The benefits of breastfeeding to the mother, infant and family are too numerous to list, but here are some of the advantages:

Breastfeeding promotes a special bonding relationship between mother and child.
Mothers have less bleeding after birth, and the uterus returns to its natural size sooner.
Milk production burns 500-1,000 calories a day and without eating additional food, mother's weight loss will be more rapid and permanent.
Breastfeeding reduces risks of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer for the mother. The longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk.
Full or nearly full breastfeeding decreases fertility and your periods may not return for several months.
Breastfeeding requires no mixing or preparation, making nighttime feedings quick and easy.
Mother's milk is always available, especially during a hurricane.
Breastfeeding provides mothers a time to rest during the day.
Breastfeeding saves families $500-$1,000 per year on formula costs alone.
Breastfed babies have fewer illnesses, fewer doctor visits, and fewer hospitalizations.
A mother's milk is nutritionally perfect for her infant and changes according to the needs of the growing child.
Breastfed babies have less asthma, colic, allergies, food allergies and eczema.
Breastfed babies have less diarrhea, respiratory infections, ear infections and urinary tract infections.
Breastfed babies are less likely to develop insulin-dependent diabetes.
Breastfed babies are less likely to develop childhood cancer, including leukemia and lymphoma.
Breastfeeding promotes normal nervous system development and increased intelligence quotient (IQ).
Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death after 1 month of age.

2. How long should I breastfeed?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months and gradually introducing other foods. Breastfeeding should continue to the first birthday and beyond as desired by mother and baby.

3. How do I get started?

Plan to deliver at a “Baby Friendly” hospital.
Breastfeed as soon as the baby is born, within the first hour.
Breastfeed 8 to 12 times a day according to the baby's cues (signs that show that the baby is hungry).
Avoid pacifiers and bottles until breastfeeding is well established (3 to 4 weeks).

4. Where do I go for help?

Plan to deliver at a “Baby-Friendly™” hospital
La Leche League
Lactation consultants in the hospital
WIC
The community

5. Should I take a breastfeeding class before the baby is born?

Yes. Breastfeeding has not been common for the past 60 years in the United States, and we lack the support of mother-to-mother knowledge that other countries have. Moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas are also encouraged to come.

6. What if I want to breastfeed and bottle-feed?

You can pump your breast milk and give it in bottles. Breast milk stores for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer.

7. What do I do for sore nipples?

It's not normal to be sore after the first week. If you are, it is important to contact a breastfeeding expert immediately—there is almost always a way to help.

8. What medications can I take during breastfeeding?

It's important to avoid unnecessary medications while lactating. If you need to take medications, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a list of approved drugs, and most are safe for breastfeeding mothers to take. Contact a lactation consultant and your pediatrician immediately.

9. Do I need to be on a special diet?

Most people all over the world eat traditional diet with a variety of spicy and bland foods. Unless you have a strong family history of allergies, you do not need to eliminate any particular foods from your diet.

10. What is “Baby-Friendly™”?

Cape Canaveral Hospital is proud to announce that it is the 25th hospital in the United States to be designated "Baby-Friendly™" by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), the only hospital in the southeast, and the first in Florida. Here are the criteria:

Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all healthcare staff.
Train all healthcare staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
Show mothers how to breastfeed and maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
Practice rooming-in—allow mothers and infants to remain together, 24 hours a day.
Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
Give no artificial nipples or pacifiers to breastfeeding infants.
Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.

More information on breastfeeding from the American Academy of Pediatrics

For more information on baby-friendly services at Cape Canaveral Hospital, e-mail Louise.Silver@health-first.org.