ACOG Issues Special Report on Breastfeeding
March 4, 2007 by Amy Spangler | 2 questions or comments
These important guidelines were developed by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women and the ACOG Committee on Obstetric Practice.
Topics include:
Benefits of breastfeeding
Obstacles to breastfeeding
Who can breastfeed
Who should not breastfeed
Preconception and prenatal education
Labor, birth, and postpartum care
Postpartum support for breastfeeding
Postpartum breastfeeding education
Contraception
Vaccination
Maintaining milk supply
Bottle supplements and pacifiers
Interruption of breastfeeding
Breast pain
Working mothers and time away
Breastfeeding expectations in daily life
How long to breastfeed
Also included in the report is a discussion of (1) current breastfeeding and human milk research, (2) hospital practices that affect breastfeeding, (3) breast cancer detection, and (4) emerging issues (environmental toxins, milk banks).
The report is intended to help health care professionals ensure that women have the information necessary to make informed decisions and the support necessary to achieve their breastfeeding goals.
My baby doesn’t latch on to the breast right away he takes a few tries and when he latches on he seems to push the breast away or move his face away. Could my son not like the breast milk or could it be he has to work too hard vs formula?
Also my son can go a few hours without eating and that scares me I’m not sure if he’s getting enough and his father and his mother say I’m starving him; however, the doctor says he’s fine even though he hasn’t pooped in 1 week!!!!! HELP!!!!!
It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job! It’s not unusual for Dad and Grandma to worry, especially if they have had no prior breastfeeding experience. You might want to encourage them to talk with your baby’s doctor about their concerns so that he or she can reassure them.
Mothers know that breastmilk is best, but sometime babies need to learn. When babies breastfeed they can control the amount they eat which may explain why breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight or obese. In contrast, bottle-fed babies eat until the bottle is empty so they don’t learn to respond to the cues that tell them they are full.
Many babies try several times before settling onto the breast. What you perceive as your baby pushing the breast away may simply be your baby massaging the breast to encourage the flow of milk or adjusting his position so that he can breathe while he is eating.
The length of time between feedings varies from baby to baby. Some babies eat every hour for several feedings and then sleep for several hours. Others eat every 1-2 hours for many weeks. The age of your baby will also influence how often he feeds.
Regarding pooping, most newborns poop three or more times a day during the first month after which the frequency of pooping can slow. Again every baby is different.
Generally if a baby is gaining weight appropriately and content after feeding there is no cause for concern. For reassurance, I would recommend you contact an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in your area who can watch your baby breastfeed and help you decide if there is any reason to be concerned.