Breastfeeding
The first few days and weeks of breastfeeding can be both challenging and rewarding and will set you and your baby up for a positive experience in the months ahead. Breastfeeding offers many benefits to your baby. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients to help your infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler. Some of the nutrients in breast milk also help protect your infant against some common childhood illnesses and infections. It may also help your health.
Though we encourage breastfeeding, we understand that breastfeeding may not be possible for all women. For many, the decision to breastfeed or formula feed is based on their comfort level, lifestyle, and specific medical situations. For moms who can’t breastfeed or who decide not to, infant formula is a healthy alternative. Formula provides babies with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
Breastfeeding can feel extremely blissful and make a mom proud, but it can also feel very lonely and isolating when there are struggles to get it working. There is so much to navigate not only in the early days but even the later months. Parents need help learning how to deal with different situations, but they also need the support of others.
Breastfeeding Support
Hoag offers the following resources:
- A (virtual) breastfeeding support group
- Breastfeeding Clinic: One-on-One Consultations
- Breast Pump Rentals
- Hoag Pacify App
- On-Demand Breastfeeding Classes
Read more about Hoag’s breastfeeding resources.
Lactation Support
Hoag Hospital’s OB Education department strives to meet the needs of our expectant and nursing mothers. Hoag’s Breastfeeding Clinic and BabyLine are staffed by registered nurses certified as International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC).
A visit to our clinic provides a one-on-one breastfeeding consultation and provides new mothers with support, encouragement and answers to questions that commonly arise when their baby comes home from the hospital. Fathers or support persons are strongly encouraged to attend. Consultations include individual attention to your specific concerns, help with breastfeeding techniques, nutritional information, instructions on pumping and storage of milk. One-hour consultations are available for $45 and by appointment only.
- When to Seek Lactation Support
- Your baby has difficulty latching onto your breast.
- You have persistent sore nipples.
- Your baby has not regained birth weight by two weeks.
- Your baby cries after feedings, is hungry after feedings, or sleeps all the time.
- Your baby does not have three or more yellow stools by day six.
- Your mature milk has not come in by day seven.
- Gain reassurance that you are doing a great job.
For more information and to make an appointment for a lactation consultation or for pump rentals, contact the Hoag BabyLine at 949-764-BABY (2229).
Location: 500 Superior Avenue, Suite 300B Newport Beach, CA 92663
Breast Care
- Wear a well-fitting support bra, day, and night.
- Wash breasts with warm water only during your daily shower.
- Do not wash breasts before or after each feeding as this may cause dry, cracked nipples.
- For sore nipples, apply colostrum or breast milk to promote healing. Purified Lanolin may also be applied to the nipple and covered with a breast pad. Lanolin does not need washed off prior to the next feeding.
- If the breast is engorged, regularly remove milk from the breast every 1 ½ – 3 hours (via breastfeeding or use of a hospital-grade breast pump) For additional comfort, apply cold compresses for 10-15 mins as needed.
- If using breast pads, change with each feeding.
- For breastfeeding assistance: (Hoag) 949-764-BABY (2229).
Breast Pump
When to call your Doctor:
Nipple or breast pain is not a normal part of breastfeeding. Your nipples may be sensitive the first few days after birth and while breastfeeding, but sore nipples or breasts indicate a problem. If you feel pain, notice swelling, redness, tenderness, or have a temperature over 100 degrees please contact our office.