How can hospitals support breastfeeding?
Your hospital should have certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) on staff who are available before, during, and after your stay, since any mother having difficulty breastfeeding should be promptly evaluated by a qualified professional. Your hospital should have a written policy on breastfeeding. It should encourage breastfeeding within an hour of birth and encourage you to sleep near your baby. The hospital staff, (not just the lactation consultants) should be qualified to show you how to position your baby properly and how to breastfeed. Your hospital should not offer pacifiers to nursing mothers, and should not give formula to nursing babies without a clear medical reason. If your baby needs supplements for a medical reason, your hospital should show you ways to give supplements without using a bottle. Your hospital should not give you free formula, or formula-sponsored diaper bags at discharge. (Virtually all hospitals give out formula-advertising diaper bags because of financial
