At The Hospital

Babies must also learn how to nurse, just as they will later learn how to crawl and walk. There are several things you can do right from the beginning to encourage a positive breastfeeding relationship. Don't let bottle-feeding thwart your plans to breastfeed. If you expect to give birth in a hospital setting, consider the following:

(Also see our What will happen to you, baby, and your milk supply)

• Plan as natural a birth as possible. Intervention during labor and delivery normally results in a delay in breastfeeding. Medication can cause your newborn to be sleepy, and to not be interested in nursing early and often. However, even if you end up having a cesarean birth breastfeeding can still be established successfully.
• Tell the hospital staff frequently that you do not want your newborn to receive any formula, water or pacifier, and have your doctor record this on your baby's chart. Some mothers have also found it to be helpful in adding this information to their birth plan. In order for breastfeeding to properly established it is important to avoid these items. Pacifiers tend to cut down a mother's milk production and using water of any kind is unnecessary until your baby reaches the age of 12 months. The more natural you begin breastfeeding the fewer problems you may have later.
• Begin nursing as soon as possible. Babies have a period of alertness during the first hour after birth, and display a strong sucking reflex that is not as strong again until approximately 40 hours later.  Nursing soon after birth with help your uterus contract by stimulating the release of oxytocin.  This first time at the breast is a time to introduce your baby to the breast.  Don 't force things or try to practice everything you've read or learned.  Some babies will just nuzzle and lick the breast at first, and others will latch right on.  Sucking in frequent bursts and pauses is the typical pattern for the first few hours and often the first few days
• Arrange for rooming-in so your baby can be with you at all times. If that is not possible have your baby brought to you often. Newborns need to be nursed at least every two hours during the day and whenever they awaken at night.
• Turn down any offers of formula samples to take home with you. Free formula samples and formula company literature are not gifts. There is only one purpose for these "gifts" and that is to get you to use formula.  It is very effective, and very unethical, marketing.  If you get any from any health professional, you should be wondering about his/her knowledge of breastfeeding and his/her commitment to breastfeeding.  "But I need formula because the baby is not getting enough!".  Maybe, but, more likely, you weren’t given good help and the baby is simply not getting your milk well.  Get good help.  Formula samples are not help.
• Speak with the hospital's lactation consultant. Before you leave the hospital, you should be shown that your baby is latched on properly, and that he is actually getting milk from the breast and that you know how to know he is getting milk from the breast.. Unfortunately, that are still many hospitals that are not breastfeeding friendly. It is important that you look