Breastfeeding Support from Beginning to End [Sian Dill]

Breastfeeding can be a rewarding but sometimes challenging journey for new parents. This video highlights how Brookings Health System supports mothers through every stage of breastfeeding—from hospital care to ongoing guidance—ensuring both mother and baby thrive.

  • Hospital support is comprehensive: Nurses and lactation consultants provide hands-on guidance for latching, feeding, and comfort.
  • Resources extend beyond discharge: Programs like Baby Café and 3-day weighed feedings help parents continue successful breastfeeding at home.
  • Individualized care matters: Support is tailored to each mother and baby’s unique needs, from first feeds to weaning.
  • Accessible expertise: Lactation consultants are readily available, making it easy to ask questions and receive timely help.
  • Empowerment for parents: Education and practical coaching equip parents to confidently care for their baby independently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Breastfeeding support includes guidance, education, and hands-on help for mothers to feed their infants effectively and comfortably. It is provided by trained nurses, lactation consultants, and hospital programs to ensure both mother and baby thrive.

Nurses and lactation consultants help mothers with proper latching, feeding techniques, and minimizing discomfort. They provide resources, weighed feedings, and practical demonstrations to optimize breastfeeding from day one.

Brookings Health System offers the Baby Café, a weekly group for breastfeeding mothers, and a 3-day weighed feeding program to monitor progress, answer questions, and address challenges early.

Baby Café supports mothers at every stage of breastfeeding—from latching issues to routine feeding and weaning—providing personalized strategies and peer encouragement.

Each baby’s feeding needs are unique. Tailored guidance ensures babies get proper nutrition, reduces pain and discomfort for mothers, and builds confidence for independent feeding.

Video Transcript

How did the staff support your decision to breastfeed?

While we were in the hospital, we received resources as to how we can support our breastfeeding journey.

All of the nurses are very, well versed in breastfeeding and best practices. And the lactation consultants are very accessible. You can come in and do weighed feedings and makes it easy, so you don't have to try to, you know, call and make an appointment.

I had no expectation. I had no idea what to expect in going into breastfeeding the first time I delivered. And they were really good about coming in and helping me, kind of, navigate what that's like. And how to help adjust the way your baby's feeding to make sure they're getting the most out of it. And doing the least amount of damage and pain to you at the same time. So I was really grateful for that.

How did the staff continue support after leaving the hospital?

It goes well beyond those few days that you're in the hospital because they have the Baby Café. And that's a weekly meeting group for moms who breastfeed.

Another thing that I've found that is not very common that hospitals do is the 3-day weighed feeding after you leave the hospital, come back in and you do a weighed feeding. And I think that that's really important in just making sure that everything is going smoothly with those first few days.

It wasn't just a matter of fixing it and leaving. It was helping equip you for when you are not going to have three nurses watching you, your baby and your husband, right? That you can leave and know that you're gonna be able to support yourself.

How does the New Beginnings Baby Café support mothers at every stage of breastfeeding?

Each child is so different. So some may struggle with latching on and stuff. And I think the staff being able to support not only you, but your child and make sure they're getting the best out of it as well. And teaching you and showing you like, you know, "Maybe you should try a different approach to the way you hold your child." Or, "Here's how you can help your child latch on better."

It's great because it doesn't just include moms who are struggling with breastfeeding. It also includes everything in between from latching to weaning. So I feel that Brookings Health System supports every mom, no matter where they are in their journey of breastfeeding from beginning to end.

Are you one of Brookings Health System's grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/MyThanks.

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