Breastfeeding

Only you can decide if breastfeeding is the right choice for you and your baby. Your decision should be based on information about the benefits to your baby, along with your personal feelings and style. Should you decide to breastfeed, your doctor, a lactation consultant, or breastfeeding educator will be able to provide important information and recommendations about breastfeeding.

Benefits breastfeeding offers you include:

Helps you return to your pre-pregnancy figure sooner by stimulating the uterus muscles and by burning more calories per day.
Eliminates the expense of formula as well as mixing, sterilizing bottles, and storing formula and bottles.
Reduces incidence of breast cancer before menopause.
May eliminate, reduce and delay menstrual flow, which helps you conserve iron when you need it most.
Reduces concerns about freshness of milk and refrigeration.

Benefits breastfeeding offers baby include:

Colostrum protects baby from infection.
Breast milk is more easily digested.
Fewer skin disorders and allergies.
Fewer ear and respiratory infections.
Less gastrointestinal disturbances.
Less incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Higher I.Q.
Exercises facial muscles.

Facts about Bottle Feeding

Infant formulas are usually given until one year of age.
Many thousands of babies are successfully fed in this manner. This is the very best alternative to breastfeeding.
The formula should be fed at room temperature.
You should try to burp your baby after every 1/2 ounce the first few days, again half-way through the feeding and at the end. This will help baby digest the milk and prevent gas bubbles.

Facts about Breast Feeding

Breast milk from healthy, well-nourished mothers is the food best matched to the needs of babies. It has the exact quantity and quality of nutrients for healthy development and is always the right temperature.
While you are breastfeeding, you will need to consume about 500 extra calories a day above your pregnancy diet. Your doctor may also have additional nutritional recommendations for you. However, this doesn't mean you need to be heavier than normal to breastfeed.
Breast milk contains certain immunological factors that cannot be matched by other milks.
Breast size has nothing to do with the ability to breastfeed. Unless you have some type of illness that does not permit you to breastfeed, any mother is able to do it. Your nurses and lactation consultants are available to assist you and answer any questions you might have.
Proper positioning and latch-on are important and will prevent sore or cracked nipples.
Early, frequent feedings will help to establish your milk supply and lessen the incidence of engorgement.
It may be necessary to pump your breasts if you produce more milk than your baby needs. Too much milk can cause your breasts to become swollen or engorged.
Working mothers can continue to breastfeed their infants. Some mothers express their milk while at work. Others are able to nurse their infants at their childcare setting. Still others may choose to nurse more often when home with their babies. You may want to ask your lactation consultant for advice. Lactation consultants are available at Saint Francis to assist with breastfeeding concerns and pumping needs. Call (918) 494-6455.
Breastfeeding the first year of life is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Although breastfeeding is beneficial to your baby, and doctors encourage their patients to at least attempt breastfeeding, formula feeding is an alternative for many moms. You may want to discuss feeding options with others, but the final decision should be one that reflects what is comfortable for you and only you.

Breastfeeding
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