Breastfeeding is one of the first gifts a parent can give their baby, but it doesn't always come naturally. Like any new skill, breastfeeding often takes time, patience and support.
“Many parents expect breastfeeding to happen instinctively, but it’s a learning experience for both mother and baby,” said Brandi McEachern-Slaughter, RN, BSN, IBCLC, CCM, Clinical Supervisor of Lactation at Northside Hospital. “Having the right support can make all the difference in helping families build confidence and overcome common challenges.”
As the nation's leader in births, Northside Hospital is committed to helping families successfully navigate their breastfeeding journey by offering education before delivery, hands-on assistance after birth and continued support once parents return home.
Benefits for baby and mother
Breast milk is uniquely designed to meet a baby's nutritional needs and changes as a baby grows. It also contains antibodies that help protect infants from illness while supporting healthy growth and development.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breastfeeding can lower a baby's risk of ear infections, asthma, obesity, Type 1 diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Mothers who breastfeed may also reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancers, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
"Breastfeeding provides benefits that extend far beyond infancy,” McEachern-Slaughter said. "It supports both immediate health and long-term wellness for mothers and babies alike."
Building confidence before baby arrives
Preparing to breastfeed can begin long before labor.
Northside offers breastfeeding education classes designed to help expectant parents understand what to expect during the first hours and days after delivery. Topics include proper latch and positioning, recognizing feeding cues, establishing milk supply, pumping basics and ways partners can provide support throughout the breastfeeding journey.
By learning these skills before delivery, families often feel more prepared when their baby arrives.
Support from the very beginning
After birth, Northside's maternity nurses and certified lactation consultants work closely with families to help establish breastfeeding as early as possible.
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery, when medically appropriate, promotes bonding and helps babies begin breastfeeding. Families also receive individualized instruction on positioning, latch techniques, feeding frequency and recognizing signs that their baby is feeding effectively.
"Our goal isn't simply to teach breastfeeding while families are in the hospital," said Ally Prohaska, RN, BSN, IBCLC. "We want parents to leave feeling empowered and knowing where to turn if questions arise after they get home."
Help doesn't end at discharge
Many breastfeeding questions don't appear until days or weeks after delivery. Whether families are concerned about milk supply, pumping, returning to work, or a baby's feeding patterns, Northside offers continued access to breastfeeding support.
Resources include:
- Certified lactation consultants for outpatient appointments.
- Breastfeeding support groups at multiple Northside locations.
- Telephone lactation support.
- Educational materials covering breast pump use, milk storage, feeding logs and common breastfeeding questions.
- Breast pump rentals at select campuses.
These services are designed to help families overcome common challenges and continue breastfeeding for as long as it works for them.
Every family's journey is different
While breastfeeding offers many health benefits, every family's experience is unique. Some babies require supplementation, some mothers experience medical complications, and some families choose to feed their babies in other ways.
"Our role is to provide evidence-based information, compassionate care and individualized support," said Prohaska. "We want every family to feel confident in feeding their baby, whatever that journey looks like."
Families interested in learning more can explore Northside Hospital's breastfeeding classes, lactation services, support groups and educational resources before delivery and throughout the postpartum period. With expert guidance available every step of the way, parents never have to navigate breastfeeding alone.
