Maybe this is your first pregnancy or you’ve decided to breastfeed this time around. There are 5 things to know about breastfeeding during your hospital stay. It is one of those things you may not think about until you are at the hospital. Even if you have not taken a breastfeeding class, the hospital will help you prepare!

Lactationist

A lactationist will visit you you twice or maybe more if you are at the hospital longer. She will give you pamphlets with information on how to feed your baby and were you can attend free breastfeeding support groups. The lactationist will also teach you how to latch your baby on to your breast. They are very good at giving you tips! You may forget, which is why you will get pamphlets with that information.

For Example:

Some things that were new to me was baby poop. When you breastfeed, the poop is a little different than formula fed babies. When you are discharged, just know that you can contact your newborn’s pediatrician’s office and schedule an appointment with the lactationist at the office. This was a lot of help for me, in addition to attending breastfeeding support groups. I highly recommend these two options. Even though I took a breastfeeding class, it is definitely not the same as the real thing. And of course, you will forget some things you learn in the class.

Nurses

The nurses are there to assist you around the clock. The lactationist is available only during the day. Therefore, do not be shy to ask your nurse for assistance, as they are all trained to help you with nursing your baby. Learning to teach your newborn to latch on properly is very important, because you will get sore, cracked nipples. The first two days may not hurt but the next couple of weeks will!

When Do You Start Nursing?

Within an hour of giving birth you start nursing your baby. Your nurse will help you with that. It seems too easy at first because your nipples have not gone through trauma yet and so nursing will seem very simple at that point. It is a great bonding experience to go through!

Will I get rest?

Just like formula fed babies, you will have the opportunity to let your baby go to the nursery. Your nurse will bring your newborn back when it’s time to feed. I did take advantage of this with my last baby but most of the time, I preferred my son to be with me. Actually with all my children, I preferred them in the room with me the whole time. I want to say I let them go to the nursery once. There are many benefits to room sharing with your newborn at the hospital. You can check out this article HERE.

Sore Breasts

So you don’t develop sore breasts right away, make sure to put nipple cream on. The hospital does provide this. I brought my own because I wanted an organic version. It is okay for baby to eat/suck on this cream. It is safe!

Related Posts:

• Breastfeeding Newborn -12 Months
• 8 Breastfeeding Tips You Need to Know
• Breastfeeding Past A Year Old (What To Know)
• Breastfeeding vs Formula – My Experience
• Why You Should Get The Haakaa Breast Pump

Happy Nursing!