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Self-CareTip: Breastfeeding Resources
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| Step 1. | Maintain a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff. |
| Step 2. | Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. |
| Step 3. | Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. |
| Step 4. | Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth. |
| Step 5. | Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants. |
| Step 6. | Give infants no food or drink other than breastmilk unless medically indicated. |
| Step 7. | Practice rooming-in – allow mothers and infants to remain together twenty-four hours a day. |
| Step 8. | Encourage unrestricted breastfeeding. |
| Step 9. | Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants. |
| Step 10. | Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic. |
Kaiser Permanente's Policy
on Breastfeeding
Kaiser Permanente Hayward's Perinatal Services are dedicated to encouraging
and supporting breastfeeding as the best choice for all new mothers
and babies.
| • | The decision whether or not to breastfeed should be an informed choice made by the mother. Our Obstetrics Services offer information, counseling, and evaluation to each mother during her prenatal visits and classes. |
| • | During labor and delivery, our Obstetric Nurses support mothers and welcome a family member or friend to stay with them continuously through their delivery and recovery period. |
| • | Infants are put to the breast, providing skin-to-skin contact within the first half-hour of life where feasible, either in the delivery room or recovery area. For Cesarean births, this will be initiated as soon as mother is stable and able to respond to her infant. |
| • | Our nurses are trained to assist mothers in initiating breastfeeding, proper breastfeeding technique, and evaluating any problems that may develop. The mother-baby pair will be observed and assisted throughout their hospitalization. |
| • | Certified Lactation Consultants are available both during hospital stay and postpartum for breastfeeding problem solving and support. |
| • | Our staff discourages the use of bottles, pacifies and nipple covers for feeding because these may interfere with the baby learning to breastfeed. |
| • | Kaiser Permanente, Hayward does not provide commercial materials, which promote or encourage bottle-feeding, or interfere with breastfeeding. |
| • | Infants are seen within a few days of birth to evaluate their health and breastfeeding progress, and lactation assistance is provided as needed. Follow-up visits are made for weight assessment as well as regular postpartum care where indicated. |
| • | Classes are offered for mothers who wish to continue to breastfeed after returning to work. We recommend breastfeeding for the first full year of life. |
Our goal is for you to have a healthy, happy baby.
What are
the Benefits of Breastfeeding?
While you are pregnant, you can decide how you will feed your new baby
after it is born. We recommend that you breastfeed, since it is good for
you and your baby in many ways.
Breastfeeding is Good for Baby and Mom
Breastfeeding creates a very special and unique bond between mother and
baby. Human milk is the perfect food for human babies and cannot be equaled
by any formula.
| • | It is the easiest food for new babies to digest. |
| • | Unlike formula, which can cost $500 to $1000 for a year's supply, breast milk is basically free — a big plus for a new family's budget. |
| • | It you can breastfeed for 6 months or more, both you and your baby will benefit. |
Benefits for Baby
| • | Breast milk contains special substances called antibodies, which are made by the mother's immune system. Antibodies help a baby fight infection. |
| • | Breastfed babies are less likely to develop ear infections, colds and diarrhea. |
| • | Breastfed babies are less likely to develop diabetes at any time in their life. |
| • | Breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma and allergies, and if they do, their symptoms are usually less severe than children who are fed formula. |
| • | Overall, breastfed babies are healthier than formula-fed babies. They are sick less often, and hospitalized less often. |
Breastfeeding Classes
Two special classes are offered to help prepare you and your family for
a successful breastfeeding experience. "Breastfeeding Basics"
is taught by a Certified Lactation Consultant, and covers proper positioning
of your baby, how to prevent common problems, how partners can help, and
other helpful techniques for the early weeks of breastfeeding. "Breastfeeding
& the Working Mom," also taught by a Certified Lactation Consultant,
gives you all the information you need to continue breastfeeding after
returning to work. Some of the main points covered in this informative
class are: proper techniques for storing and handling expressed milk;
demonstrations of available pumps and how to pick the one that's right
for you; and tips for maintaining your milk supply.
Location: Kaiser Permanente Medical
Center, Hayward
Day and Time: Wednesday evenings, 7–9
p.m.
Dates: Call Health Education at 784-4531
for dates
Cost: Free
Mommy & Me
Join other new mothers and their babies for this free, drop-in group.
We will talk about breastfeeding, sleeping,
crying, adjusting
to parenthood, and more.
Meet other new moms. Bring your questions. Share your experiences.
Location: Conference Room M-4 Sleepy
Hollow Building
Day and Time: Mondays & Thursdays,
10 a.m.–12:00 noon
Facilitator: Linda Harrell, RN, Certified
Lactation Educator
Cost: Free
Lactation Consultants
There are many benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies,
but nursing mothers sometimes need additional support and information.
That's why we've devoted so many resources to helping mothers and babies
get off to a successful breastfeeding start.
If you are having a problem breastfeeding, we know that it can be very frustrating. You may be tempted to give up, especially if your problems are happening in those first stressful weeks after coming home from the hospital. Keep in mind that minor breastfeeding problems aren't uncommon, and most are very easy to solve, especially if you have the support and guidance of medical professionals especially trained in the field of lactation.
At Kaiser Permanente in Hayward we have Certified Lactation Consultants available for telephone counseling and office appointments for mothers and babies who are experiencing nursing problems. Call our Breastfeeding Warmline any time at (510) 784-2804 and one of our consultants will return your call within 24 hours.
Breast Pump Rental Station
Our Rental Station is here to provide you with the "how-to's"
of pumping and storing your breastmilk. Our staff is available to answer
your questions and offer support. Call (510) 784-4545 to make an appointment.
Book & Video Lending
Services
A variety of breastfeeding and other prenatal and parenting books and
videos are available for check-out from the main Health Education Center.
The Health Education Center is located on the second floor of the clinic
building near Ob/Gyn. We are open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Wednesdays we stay open until 7 p.m. Call (510) 784-4531 for more information.
HealthPhone Services
For free recorded health messages, 24 hours a day, call 1-800-33-ASK
ME (1-800-332-7563):
| • | Choose the messages that you would like to hear and then write down their four digit numbers. |
| • | If you are using either a touchtone or rotary telephone, dial 1-800-33-ASK ME (1-800-332-7563). |
| • | If you are calling from a TDD machine, dial 1-800-777-9059. |
| • | Choose "1" for English or "2" for Spanish. |
| • | Go directly to the message of your choice by simply entering its four digit number at any time from a touchtone telephone. |
Breastfeeding Messages:
| 7321 | Prenatal Breast Care |
| 3508 | Breastfeeding |
| 7309 | Breastfeeding and Engorgement |
| 7310 | Breastfeeding and Leaking Milk |
| 7311 | Breastfeeding, Plugged Ducts, and Breast Infections |
| 7312 | Breastfeeding, Expressing, and Storing your milk |
La Leche League Meetings
If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, come and enjoy the support of other
nursing mothers at our monthly discussion meetings led by accredited La
Leche League Leaders. Topics include advantages of breastfeeding to mother
and baby; the birth of your baby and baby’s first weeks; the art
of breastfeeding and avoiding difficulties; nutrition and weaning. Healthy
babies are always welcome at our meetings!
Location: Kaiser Permanente
Medical Center, Hayward
Dates: 2nd Thursday of every month
Time: 7–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
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