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Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour – Welcome Baby Softly
Topics: breastfeeding, babies, infants, health, women, motherhood, Clinia Sierra Vista
Posted by citizenjournalist Mon Aug 6, 2007 14:17:45 PDT
Viewed 1351 times
0 responses 0 comments Research is clear that breast milk is optimal nutrition and the perfect, life-sustaining food for babies.  Breast milk provides nutritional and health advantages that last far beyond infancy, and offers health benefits for mothers, as well.  Nearly all women are able to breastfeed when they receive consistent, accurate information. When they are supported by the healthcare team, family, and community in an environment that is breastfeeding-friendly they will breastfeed.

Highlighting the importance of protecting breastfeeding, especially in the first hour after birth, is the theme for the 2007 World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour – Welcome Baby Softly.

Breastfeeding in the first hour or so after birth has been linked to positive health outcomes. This gives immediate protection from bacteria and viruses that the baby is exposed to, less risk of jaundice, improved milk production and less blood loss in the mother.  One study published in Pediatrics in 2006 found that these health outcomes are so important that 41% of infants worldwide who die between 2-28 days of life could be saved by this simple intervention of breastfeeding in the first hour.

According to Rebecca Mannel, president of the International Consultant Association, infants are born with heightened senses that seem to program them to quickly get to know their mothers and find the breast, often attaching by themselves when left undisturbed on their mothers’ chest.

“In the early moments after birth, babies are in a quiet, alert state and ready to learn,” says Mannel.  “Babies use all five senses to explore that world. They use their eyes to memorize their mothers’ faces, their ears to associate her voice with her face, and their sense of smell to guide them in finding the breast.  Their sense of taste is also at a heightened state, and they are particularly drawn to the flavor of breast milk.”

“Research shows that babies come into this world seeking close contact with their mother’s body,” she says. “When mothers hold their babies skin-to-skin immediately after birth, their babies are kept warm, they regulate their heart, respiratory, and oxygen saturation rates, and they do no feel pain as acutely.  All of this means they are calmer, happier, and cry less.” Does the hospital where you are going to have your baby or had your baby do this?  Ask your hospital?

According to Mannel, providing a supportive breastfeeding environment can make the difference.  ILCA encourages hospitals and birthing facilities to delay routine medical procedures until after the first hour or two, and to help mothers and fathers enjoy this important time together. Do Kern County Hospitals do this?  Ask your hospital? Request BF  support.

ILCA also encourages hospitals to establish a breastfeeding-friendly environment by following “The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” outlined by the global Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and to establish “Baby Friendly” status as a goal for their facility.  This coveted designation recognizes hospitals that have created an environment that supports and protects breastfeeding. Do we have a hospital with this status in Kern County?  Ask your hospital?  Ask them to apply.

Likewise, individual clinics and community locations can establish a breastfeeding-friendly atmosphere through such things as providing places for women to breastfeed or express their milk if they desire privacy, encouraging mothers to breastfeed, and making appropriate referrals for assistance when needed.  Valley Plaza has a family room for this purpose.

The state of California has a Breastfeeding Law to allow for places for women to breastfeed or express their  milk at work.  Does your place of employment have this?  State Farm and Aero Energy do in Bakersfield.

Kern County has many International Board Certified Lactation Consultant’s (IBCLC); you can find them at www.ilca.org “Find a Lactation Consultant Directory”.

In Kern County, Clinica Sierra Vista W.I.C. Program has two IBCLC’s and the “Comfortline” has volunteer IBCLC’s and Certified Lactation Educators answering breastfeeding questions to help babies’ breastfeed.

Enid Phillips, IBCLC, is the Breastfeeding Coordinator for Clinica Sierra Vista WIC.

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