Breastfeeding Support at the Birth Center
Breastfeeding is both valuable for a baby’s nutrition and also supports the mother’s recovery and encourages bonding between the two.
However, breastfeeding is not often easy to get the hang of, and some may struggle with initiating or properly continuing breastfeeding at first. This is okay and more common than you think! If you need guidance and support during your breastfeeding journey, the birth center is here to help!
Role of Birth Centers in Breastfeeding Support
Here’s how our midwives assist you in the process of breastfeeding:
Prenatal Education
Birth centers offer breastfeeding education early in your prenatal days. We provide some information during your prenatal appointments. These cover the basics of what you need to know and what you should expect.
A more detailed insight is provided during breastfeeding education classes as part of our prenatal educational courses. We talk about technique, common mistakes, and common challenges that mothers face.
We also discuss some conditions you or your newborn might have that may make breastfeeding a little more challenging. And what you should do if you suspect these conditions.
Lactation Consultation
If you need additional support and guidance, we will refer you to a lactation consultant. Sometimes, your midwife may refer you to a lactation expert, or you can request a consultant yourself.
Some issues a lactation expert can help with include:
- Inadequate milk supply
- Your baby’s inability to feed sufficiently
- Sore nipples
- Incorrect technique/ latch
- Feeding with unique breast anatomy i.e., inverted nipples
Breastfeeding-Friendly Environment
The role of a birth center is to promote the natural process of birth. As a part of this philosophy, we greatly encourage breastfeeding in various ways. These include
- Discussing the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother and the baby during your appointments
- Providing breastfeeding education classes
- Encouraging breastfeeding during the first hour after birth
- Assisting with breastfeeding technique during your postpartum visits
Our breastfeeding support is not limited to the prenatal and the immediate postpartum period. We continue to assist later on as well. Rest assured, we will do everything we can to promote breastfeeding and help make the process easier and more rewarding for you!