Clinics in Human Lactation 11: Hospital Breastfeeding Issues

For women who intend to breastfeed, the hospital experience is critical. Hospitals provide care to nearly all women giving birth in the U.S. However, in most hospitals, this care falls short of evidence-based best practices that fully support mothers to be able to breastfeed. Hypoglycemia, jaundice, and supplementation are common hospital issues that may compromise breastfeeding. In Hospital Breastfeeding Issues, author Nancy Wight explains why managing these issues in an evidence-based and breastfeeding-supportive manner may preserve the breastfeeding relationship, extend breastfeeding duration, and improve the health of the infant, mother, and community. Dr. Wight describes the normal breastfeeding newborn in regards to feeding behavior, weight gain and loss, and stooling patterns. She gives breastfeeding-supportive management approaches for treating hypoglycemia and jaundice, and discusses how some hospital policies and practices interfere with optimal breastfeeding. Supporting mothers through hospital breastfeeding challenges can help mothers reach their breastfeeding goals. This well-cited book presents the evidence-based information clinicians need to care for hypoglycemic and jaundiced newborns and help new moms meet their breastfeeding goals.