This is the 61st post in a series on Booby Traps, made possible by the generous support of Motherlove Herbal Company.
For the last few months I’ve been writing about Booby Traps in the early days of breastfeeding. As I’ve done for pregnancy, birth, and the hospital stay, I’ve compiled these posts into a checklist for avoiding the Booby Traps during those early days after leaving the hospital.
Choose your pediatrician well. Many have not had training in breastfeeding, though this is fortunately starting to change.
Make sure your pediatrician supports your goal of six months of exclusive breastfeeding.
If you have milk supply problems, know that your providers may not know how to help and be too quick to recommend supplementation. Whether or not you need to supplement, be sure to get good help for breastfeeding.
Make sure your pediatrician is using the right growth charts. The charts, developed by the World Health Organization and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, will most accurately reflect your baby’s growth.
Know that your physician may not know how to help you with breastfeeding pain. If that’s the case, know where else you can get good help to resolve pain as soon as possible. And if your pain is related to tongue tie, make sure you get good help.
Choose providers who don’t distribute formula gifts – follow the link to read about recent trends reported by Best for Babes readers!
If your baby is jaundiced, make sure your care is consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s protocols.
If you do have to supplement, avoid these Booby Traps by knowing the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine supplementation protocol.
Know that you’re likely to get bad advice from your pharmacist about breastfeeding and medications, and call the Infant Risk Center or consult LactMed for free, accurate information.
If you need to be hospitalized, prepare in advance so you can avoid these Booby Traps.
Make sure that the recommendation “never bedshare” doesn’t lead you to dangerous sleep arrangements!
And finally, beware these Booby Traps in the dentist’s chair!
What else would you add to our checklist to avoid the Booby Traps in the early days of breastfeeding (after leaving the hospital)
The post Booby Traps Series: Our checklist for avoiding the Booby Traps in the early days of breastfeeding at home appeared first on Best for Babes.
