The best nutrition for your newborn is breast milk. It is perfectly designed for your baby’s needs and contains important antibodies. A child which is breastfed for six months or longer is healthier, will be in hospital less often and is less likely to develop allergies. Providing information and guidance about breastfeeding is a priority for us. This means that we shall discuss breastfeeding at various stages of the pregnancy. During the maternity period we will discuss with you both how you are getting on. To make a well informed decision about whether to breastfeed or not it is advisable to research this topic during your pregnancy.
- You can learn a lot about breastfeeding as there is a large selection of literature about breastfeeding and information is widely available on the internet also, such as www.borstvoeding.com.
- In our reception area we have the book “Borstvoeding” available for you to browse through.
- You can follow a class: These are generally held by lactation experts or volunteers. See the website of Borstvoeding en Meer or www.zwangerinutrecht.com. Hospitals and maternity care organisations also often organise information evenings about breastfeeding.
Lactation consultants
Lactation consultants specialize in breastfeeding. Breastfeeding sometimes means (especially the first week) investing. And it might be necessary to obtain some extra advice to make a good start in breastfeeding. A meeting with a lactation consultant is a good resource. In most cases this is covered by your health insurance.
We work together with the lactation consultants of Borstvoeding en meer.
10 Steps to Successful Breast Feeding
In order to provide appropriate care and advice, our practice follows 10 steps to successful breast feeding set by WHO/UNICEF”.
- A written copy of our breastfeeding policy is provided to all healthcare staff.
- All involved staff receives the relevant training necessary to adhere to this policy.
- All pregnant women are informed about the benefits and the process of breastfeeding.
- The mother receives assistance with breastfeeding within an hour of the birth.
- Mothers are shown how to have the baby latch on and sustain the milk production even when the baby needs to be separated from the mother.
- Newborns are given only breast milk for nutrition, unless a medical indication decides otherwise.
- Mother and baby stay together in the same room day and night (rooming-in)
- We encourage breastfeeding on demand
- Newborns being breastfed are not provided with a pacifier or a teat
- Once our maternity care comes to an end, you will be referred to breastfeeding organisations.
