National Breastfeeding Week

Lori B Feldman-Winter, MD, MPH

Lori B Feldman-Winter, MD, MPH

“Breastfeeding is best supported in ways that meet families where they are at. We know breastfeeding matters, and our goal is to empower and permit mothers and families to reach their own personal breastfeeding goals. This strategy involves the principles of inclusion, as breastfeeding holds importance for all types of families, from all types of communities, and for all types of parents. Cooper is positioned to provide equitable and culturally congruent breastfeeding care by adopting the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, and encouraging open and non-judgmental conversations about plans for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is natural but may not always be easy. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to get help. We know a lot more today than in the past about how to support breastfeeding and overcome challenges.”

Lori B Feldman-Winter, MD, MPH
Pediatrician, Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper

Successful breastfeeding is achieved through a coordinated effort of care at multiple levels with multiple people. Below, Unicef and The World Health Organization outline The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. You can download this poster by clicking here. Full text is below the poster.

The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

1. Hospital Policies. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Not promoting infant formula, bottles or teats.
  • Making breastfeeding care standard practice.
  • Keeping track of support for breastfeeding.

2. Staff Competency. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Training staff on supporting mothers to breastfeed.
  • Assessing health workers’ knowledge and skills.

3. Antenatal [Prenatal] Care. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Discussing the importance of breastfeeding for babies and mothers.
  • Preparing women in how to feed their baby.

4. Care Right After Birth. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Encouraging skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby soon after birth.
  • Helping mothers to put their baby to the breast right away.

5. Supporting Mothers With Breastfeeding. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Checking positioning, attachment, and suckling.
  • Giving practical breastfeeding support.
  • Helping mothers with common breastfeeding problems.

6. Supplementing. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Giving only breast milk unless there are medical reasons.
  • Prioritizing donor human milk when a supplement is needed.
  • Helping mothers who want to formula feed to do so safely.

7. Rooming-In. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Letting mothers and babies stay together day and night.
  • Making sure that mothers of sick babies can stay near their baby.

8. Responsive Feeding. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Helping mothers know when their baby is hungry.
  • Not limiting breastfeeding times.

9. Bottles, Teats, and Pacifiers. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Council mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, teats, and pacifiers.

10. Discharge. Hospitals support mothers to breastfeed by…

  • Referring mothers to community resources for breastfeeding support.
  • Working with communities to improve breastfeeding support services.

The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper is committed to excellence in education, research, and high-quality, safe care for pediatric patients and their families.  As the only state-designated acute care children’s hospital in South Jersey, Cooper provides exceptional pediatric primary care and comprehensive specialty care services for every patient, every day, in a patient- and family-centered environment. To learn more about our pediatric services, click here.

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