Dear Expectant Parent,

Before the big day, I would suggest you become familiar with three video clips, which can be accessed from the Stanford website.

In our culture, the first time we typically closely observe a breastfeeding baby is when we have our own. It will be much easier to understand some of the fine points of getting things “right”, if you can watch these short video clips about breastfeeding before you deliver. The website link is http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/index.html

A Perfect Latch: The first one shows a mother being given some help getting her baby to latch onto the breast in a comfortable and effective way.

Hand Expressing Breastmilk: The second is an instructional video on how to hand express colostrum. Research has shown that for many mothers hand expression may be more effective than an electric pump in these first several days. For the baby who is having difficulty with latch, hand expressing colostrum into a teaspoon and feeding it to him/her after the breastfeeding session may be useful. Later, if you become engorged when your milk “comes in”, hand expression may be more comfortable and more effective than using the pump. Removing a little milk may make it easier for the baby to latch on.

Help Maximizing Milk Production: Finally, the last video shows you how to make electric pumping more effective once your milk supply has been established. Again, learning how to use you hands with the pump and not relying only on the suction of the pump, may be more comfortable and more effective. For planned or unanticipated separations from your baby, these techniques can be very helpful.

Finally, if you deliver at Stanford, the breastfeeding book you will receive is The ABCs of Breastfeeding. You can review it ahead of time on this web site.

If you would prefer, I have made a video which includes all the essential information about getting started. Making Enough Milk, the Key to Successful Breastfeeding, can be ordered and previewed from www.breastmilksolutions.com. Please call me any time with questions or concerns.

See you soon,

Jane Morton, MD