Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the most natural food you can give your baby. It is completely adapted to your baby's needs and has great health benefits.

Benefits for your baby

  • The composition of breast milk is more digestible and always adapted to your baby.
  • It provides better development of jaw and mouth muscles.
  • It provides greater protection against infections such as respiratory, urinary and intestinal infections, ear infections and meningitis.
  • Prevention of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.
  • It provides better development of the brain and development of the nervous system.
  • You provide important antibodies that he cannot yet make himself.
  • Lower chance of eczema and allergies.

Benefits for you

  • It creates a stronger bond between mother and child.
  • You have less blood loss, your uterus contracts better during feeding.
  • Diminished risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
  • Faster return of weight after pregnancy.

Counseling

Directly after giving birth it is important to get the milk production going and to keep it going. A good start is worth a lot! That is why you can count on the professional guidance of a midwife and/or lactation expert. They will patiently help you get the baby to the breast. You will receive a lot of advice and tips to reassure you and support you during the first days.

It is important to get to know your baby well and to know exactly how everything works. Breastfeeding is a process and can be different from feeding to feeding, this is why you may hear different advice. The basis is always the same, but the advice is always tailored to mom and baby.

Do you have specific questions about breastfeeding during pregnancy? Feel free to ask our lactation expert and/or register for our special info session on breastfeeding.

Under supervision of a midwife/lactation consultant you get to know more of the advantages and functioning of breastfeeding and how it will play out in the hospital and at home. With guidance of a midwife/lactation consultant you will get information about breastfeeding, its benefits, how it works and how it will proceed in the hospital and at home. This session is best taken when you are 30 weeks pregnant. 

  • duration: 45 minutes
  • location: Aesclepion room, route 201
  • registration at kiosk in entrance hall
  • who: in group (max. 5 couples)
  • when: every first Monday of the month at 17.00h and 19.00h
  • this infosession is optional, registration required via the gynaecology secretariat: 011 69 94 85 or dr_gynaecologie@stzh.be

This session is fully reimbursed by your health insurance. 

We'll help you get started

Your baby will make it clear to you when he is hungry. Pay attention to the following signals:

  • licking at hands
  • clenched fists
  • turning his/her head and seeking the breast
  • bringing hands to his/her mouth

You will put your baby at the breast as often and for as long as he/she asks for it. This promotes milk production and gives the baby the nutrients he needs. The first few days he should get at least eight to twelve feedings per 24h and always at the baby's request. If he has not eaten for a long time you may wake your baby for a feed by taking him to you for skin-to-skin contact or by changing his diaper. The stomach is still small and breast milk is quickly digested so your baby will want to eat often. When your baby drinks, breastfeeding hormones are triggered and more milk will be produced. The more he drinks, the higher your hormone levels and the more milk production there will be. 

When you let your baby suckle, it is important to do this correctly. The nose should be at the level of the nipple. The mouth will come up when he opens it. When the mouth is open big enough bring his chin up to your breast so he can latch on far. The mouth should be over the nipple as well as the areola. Check that the lips are curled outward. You can tell he is drinking by the movements at the level of his temples. It is normal to get a languid, sleepy feeling while breastfeeding. Also, your uterus will contract more. This can feel like postpartum contractions or menstrual pain. 

In the beginning it is only a few drops of milk but these give a bomb of energy. It is normal for your baby to lose weight in the first few days. His birth weight will be regained after an average of 14 days. If your baby drinks well you will hear him swallowing and sucking. He will be relaxed after feeding and fall asleep spontaneously. It is normal if your baby wants to drink more in the evening. Once home, he should have a minimum of six pee diapers a day. Your baby is satisfied when he is calm after feeding.

Breastfeeding is not always easy in the beginning. Talk to your partner so she feels supported and knows she is not alone. Show interest in breastfeeding and her feelings. It is nice to limit visits as much as possible in the beginning so you can adjust in peace. During breastfeeding itself you can't do anything but you can help change diapers, give a bath, play and cuddle with the baby to strengthen the bond. You may also definitely help be alert for hunger signals and watch to see if the baby is drinking properly. Be understanding to your partner and give compliments to boost her confidence. 

Inconveniences

Breastfeeding seems obvious but problems often arise due to lack of knowledge. Prepare yourself well during your pregnancy for breastfeeding, so you can prevent or solve the following problems.

The most common discomforts are:

  • Nipple clefts: This is a common problem during the first days of breastfeeding and is usually due to incorrect positioning of the baby. Get guidance in this and also try to change your position of latching often. It may help to apply a little breast milk to the nipple after feeding and letting it dry. 
  • Regulation days: On these days your baby suddenly wants to drink more. He is growing and therefore needs more milk. Regulation days occur around day 10, at 3 and 6 weeks and at 6 months. During regulation days, take extra rest and drink enough. After 1 to 4 days the demand for milk is stable again and there will be more time between feedings. Your breasts feel heavy, full and tense. Latch your baby on often and massage your breasts. Before feeding, you can use a warm gel pillow to stimulate milk flow. After feeding, you can use a cold ice bag to relieve the pain. You can also pump a little manually before feeding to relieve tension and make it easier for your baby to latch on.
  • Breast infection: This can have several causes. Before feeding, warm your breast with a compress and while feeding, massage the hard spot with circular motions toward the nipple. Let your baby drink from the sore breast first. You may take a painkiller for the pain. The symptoms will disappear within 24h.

What if things are difficult?

Always seek guidance from a midwife and/or lactation consultant. But if you still choose to feed your baby artificially, of course that's no problem! We respect every choice. Both during pregnancy and after birth, we assist all parents as best we can with lots of tips and information. Before you go home, the midwife will give you a full explanation on how to prepare a bottle of formula and you can try it yourself. So you go home well informed.

Need more information? Read the full brochure here (in dutch)

Departments

For more information, please contact our maternity.

Telephone 011 69 98 41
kraamafdeling mama en kind
Breastfeeding: 10 rules of thumb

Breastfeeding is a natural occurancy. Our maternity ward supports mothers in this proces to get the best outcome. We follow the 10 rules of thumb for succesful breastfeeding that are based on the statement of the World Health Organization (WHO). Our midwifes and lactation consultants are continuously taking additional training so they can help you with all of your questions. 

All activities related to breastfeeding are framed within these 10 rules of thumb. In doing so, we ensure that:

  • We have a written policy on breastfeeding and we communicate it to all staff involved.
  • We teach all staff involved the skills necessary to implement the policy.
  • We educate all pregnant women about the benefits and practice of breastfeeding.
  • We help mothers to start breastfeeding within an hour of their baby's birth.
  • We explain to mothers how to latch their baby on and maintain milk production even when mother and baby need to be separated.
  • Newborns are not given any food other than breast milk and no extra fluids unless on medical grounds.
  • Mother and baby may stay together in the room day and night (rooming-in).
  • We pursue breastfeeding on demand.
  • No breastfed newborn is given a pacifier.
  • Women at the end of their stay in the maternity ward are aware of the organizations that can provide assistance with breastfeeding problems.

Brochure