Breastfeeding Questions? We Have the Answers

As new parents can attest, bringing a child into the world is a bit of a roller coaster ride. And as old parents can attest, the highs and lows never really end.

One of the first surprises of parenthood is often centered around breastfeeding. According to a What to Expect_® survey, 59 percent of moms say nursing is harder than they thought it would be, and 12 percent say they tried to breastfeed but couldn’t.

In a study published on the National Institute of Health’s website, 70% of mothers surveyed experienced breastfeeding difficulties, reporting cracked nipples, perception of insufficient amount of milk, pain, and fatigue. These difficulties occurred mostly within the first month.

With August being National Breastfeeding Month, the St. Francis Women's Hospital thought this was an appropriate time to remind new and expectant mothers of two very important facts:

1. Breast milk is the best food for babies in the first year of life to help them grow healthy and strong.
   
   
2. St. Francis-Emory Healthcare, through its Women’s Health services, can provide expertise and support to make your breastfeeding experience easier than you might expect or at least more manageable.

Another fact: Even though breastfeeding is a natural process, it’s quite common to need help. It is a skill that’s learned mostly through practice and education, which is likely why difficulties often go away after the first month.

During pregnancy, many expectant mothers learn as much as they can about breastfeeding by reading or watching videos to learn essentials about positioning and expressing and storing milk. We recommend self-education and can share numerous resources to assist. We also offer a prenatal/breastfeeding class to prepare new mothers, and our Women’s Health team includes clinicians with expertise in lactation advisory.

“Motherhood” is a whole new world for new mothers. If you are struggling with breastfeeding or any aspect of being a new parent ­‒ or even challenged as an experienced parent ‒ help is only a phone call away. The health and well-being of your family is pretty much the purpose of [hospital name]. That’s why we’re here.

Give us a call at 706.320.8001 and let one of our professionals see if we can make your breastfeeding experience everything you hoped it would be. Please visit here for a full list of upcoming classes.