Breastfeeding in the Birth Plan

Include Feeding Preference as Part of the Written Expectations

© Glenni Lorick

Breastfeed within an hour after birth., D.S. Kennedy

Expectant mothers need to think through all aspects of their birth plan, including how and when they want to first feed their newborn. Plan to nurse right after birth.

Pregnancy is a wonderfully rich time when an expectant mother is learning all she can about childbirth and infant feeding options. Many mothers create a birth plan to clearly delineate exactly what kind of birth experience they want. It's a good idea for a mother to share the birth plan with her health care provider some time during her second trimester so that she can open the door for a dialogue. For example, if she expects to walk around or perhaps be in the shower after her water has broken, but her doctor has a strict policy about mothers being in bed after the water has broken, she will need to either change her expectations or change doctors.

Breastfeeding as Part of the Birth Plan

Mothers who educate themselves about the benefits of breastfeeding usually decide to provide their babies the best possible start in life by nursing them. Research shows that babies who nurse shortly after birth when they are in a quiet alert state tend to have successful breastfeeding experiences.

A mother who wants to initiate breastfeeding shortly after birth should include the following things in her birth plan:

It is important to remember that if a newborn has a health problem, then this feeding plan might not be implemented. Flexibility is the key in all aspects of a birth plan. Nevertheless, an expectant mother needs to make sure that as long as her baby is healthy and everything is normal, she will be given the opportunity to feed according to her plan.


The copyright of the article Breastfeeding in the Birth Plan in Birthing Options is owned by Glenni Lorick. Permission to republish Breastfeeding in the Birth Plan must be granted by the author in writing.


Breastfeed within an hour after birth., D.S. Kennedy
       


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