Breastfeeding your baby is a very important decision. It can be a tender, rewarding experience that offers advantages for both you and for your newborn baby:

• Breast-fed babies have less frequent:
  • Ear infections
  • Stomach or intestinal infections
  • Allergies
• Breast-fed babies have less risk of developing:
  • Digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhea
  • Obesity or becoming overweight
  • Diabetes
• Moms who breastfeed their babies enjoy:
  • No bottle cleaning
  • No formula preparation
  • Lower cost
  • Easier weight loss

We recommend you breastfeed in your birthing suite as soon as possible after birth. Keep your baby with you skin-to-skin as much as possible the first few days. This will encourage your baby to feed better and more easily adjust to his or her surroundings.

Watch your baby for feeding cues so you get plenty of practice breastfeeding. Our Mother/Baby nurses are trained to help you with routine questions or concerns. A lactation consultant or lactation educator will be available if further help is needed.

A Mercy lactation consultant is available after your baby is born to answer any questions you may have about breastfeeding or address any of your concerns.