Breastfeeding

The decision to breastfeed is yours alone. The best way to make this decision is to educate yourself about the benefits, the techniques and the support available to you should you choose to breastfeed your child.

A mother’s milk gives your baby the best start in life and is the ideal nutrition for your baby’s first year. The more we learn, the more we find that a mother’s milk is far superior to formula for an infant’s nutrition. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be breastfed for the first full year of life.

It is rare that a mother is medically unable to breastfeed. With motivation, support and confidence, almost any mother should be able to breastfeed.

Benefits for baby:

• Digestive/GI tract wellness
• Less constipation/diarrhea
• Fewer GI infections/distress
• Fewer bowel diseases

Immunity

• Lower risk of pneumonia
• Fewer respiratory illnesses
• Fewer ear infections
• Lower risk of meningitis
• Fewer urinary tract infections
• Lower risk of diabetes in children
• Lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Fewer allergies/eczema/asthma

Emotional

• Baby feels more secure
• Enhanced bonding

Benefits for mom:

• Feel closer to baby
• Less time-consuming
• Lose pregnancy weight faster
• Fewer cancers of breast, ovaries, uterus
• Confidence that you are doing the best thing for your baby
• Saves money

Lactation Centers

Our Lactation Centers at UH TriPoint Medical Center and UH Lake West Medical Center provides guidance and answers about breastfeeding for both new and expectant mothers. Located in the Family Birthing Center of each hospital, our lactation centers provide:

• Support while you’re in the hospital after giving birth
• Breastfeeding classes (there is a small fee)
• Outpatient visits with a certified lactation consultant (there is a small fee)
• Breastfeeding support group
• FREE telephone consultation 24 hours a day with a skilled nurse or certified lactation consultant
• Sales/rentals of Medela breast pumps and supplies

For information, call 440-354-1929 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm or 440-354-1602 on evenings, nights and weekends.

TriPoint and Lake West medical centers have been recognized as Designated Baby-Friendly birth facilities. This initiative distinguishes birthing centers and hospitals that take extra steps to encourage, educate and support breastfeeding moms. We’re here to help moms succeed at breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Resources

Your obstetrician, pediatrician, nurse or certified lactation consultant can help you make an informed decision about breastfeeding. There are also community resources available to you in Lake County:

Lake Health Lactation Center
440-354-1929

Breastfeeding Supplies/Pumps
440-354-1929

Breastfeeding Helpline
440-602-6625

Trusted Online Resources:

• blog.lakehealth.org/topic/breastfeeding
• www.aap.org
• www.babycenter.com
• www.lalecheleague.org
• www.kellymom.com
• www.nbci.ca
• www.bfmed.org
• www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding