Doctors Hospital of Laredo is proud to be entrusted with the health and care of so many of Laredo's moms and babies. We believe that a family-centered approach to childbirth can help promote the healthy growth and development of the entire family. And we're proud of our long tradition of reaching out and serving a wide range of contemporary family structures. From beginning to end, your support person will be welcomed and encouraged to participate in your childbirth experience.
In this segment, Maria Noela Avila,RN, Lactation Consultant at Doctors Hospital of Laredo, joins the show to discuss the benefits of breast feeding and how Doctors Hospital of Laredo has taken a giant step towards improving the health of newborns and infants by earning the Texas Ten Step Program facility designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Texas Ten Step Program encourages breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding for newborns and infants. Doctors Hospital joins a growing number of Texas birth facilities that are supporting new mothers and their decision to breastfeed.
The Benefits of Breastfeeding: Doctors Hospital Offers Classes and Support
Featured Speaker:
Maria Noela Avila, RN
Maria Noela Avila, RN is a Lactation Consultant and a member of the medical staff at Doctors Hospital of Laredo. Transcription:
The Benefits of Breastfeeding: Doctors Hospital Offers Classes and Support
Melanie Cole (Host): When you breastfeed you give your baby a healthy start that lasts a lifetime. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. My guest today, is Maria Noela Avila. She’s a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant at Doctor’s Hospital of Laredo. Welcome to the show, Maria. When should a woman begin making the decision to breastfeed? Should it be when she is pregnant or does she wait until after? When does she make that decision?
Maria Noela Avila (Guest): A mother should be thinking about what she will be feeding her baby way before she has her baby. It’s a way they need to prepare themselves by getting the education that they need just to know how their body is going to be working and how the baby should be responding so that they have a good, informed decision by the time they have their baby.
Melanie: What are some of the health benefits that we know now – and also from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which says that breast milk is the best food for baby – what are some of the health benefits of breastfeeding?
Maria: Well, there’s a lot of benefits in breast milk. One that it is so easy for the baby to digest – it helps them – it’s like a laxative, and they can digest really quickly, as well as nutrition. It’s also got all of the minerals and vitamins and everything that the baby needs for complete nutrition. It will help with his reproduction of all his organs. It’s going to provide a lot of antibodies so that he can have defenses. It will help with his respiratory system, kidneys, with less ear infections. Overall, it’s the best nutrition for a baby.
Melanie: And what about for mothers? It’s good for them as well?
Maria: Oh yeah, for mothers, the fact that when a baby is breastfeeding on a mother’s breast, it’s going to exercise her body so that she can start going back to her pre-pregnancy weight. She loses anywhere from 500 to 600 calories per day whenever she is breastfeeding. She starts losing the weight that she gained during her pregnancy sooner. Because she is exercising her body, she has less risk of getting obese and getting type two diabetes. She also is going to be healthier. It’s got many, many benefits also for mom.
Melanie: Let’s talk about beginning breastfeeding. After the baby is born, what’s the first thing you teach women about latching on and about not getting frustrated because it’s not always the easiest thing, is it?
Maria: Oh, no. There are many challenges in that a baby – after the first hour – the first hour they’re very alert, and they will be able to breastfeed, but after the first hour they go into deep sleep cycles. It becomes a little challenging because the mother wants them to eat and baby is not cooperating. I will usually tell mom, “You know what? We need to let the baby transition. Let him begin to ask for the feedings.” As soon as – I will teach them that they do have milk because that’s one of the – 99% of our moms say, “I don’t’ have anything for my baby,” because they don’t see any milk coming out. With breastfeeding, they need to actually establish the milk to begin to circulate and make more.
The baby’s tummy is super tiny, and that’s one of the things that I have to keep reinforcing to them. You don’t need to have a lot of milk so that the baby can be well-fed because the baby’s tummy is the size of a little marble, they digest it really quickly, and then they’ll be hungry often. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have enough milk. It just means that they want to be practicing in the latching and the suckling and getting it all to become abundant.
Melanie: And how do you advise women to get their partners involved in the breastfeeding process?
Maria: Usually, I like to teach both of them as I am giving them my education no breastfeeding. I tell dad you will have to be part of the feeding because you do need to bring the baby to the mom, remind the mom when it is feeding time, and help out with changing the diapers and to become part of what the baby will be doing.
Melanie: And what about some common breastfeeding challenges? You’ve already spoken about low milk supply and letting women know that it does happen. What about if it’s painful for the woman or she’s having issues with it? What do you tell about just continuing with it or some of those challenges – are there something they can do when it becomes painful?
Maria: Yes, it’s very important to teach the mom how to latch the baby because a lot of the moms have the concept that the baby should be watching just to the nipple and the baby should be opening his mouth wide and latching around the areola. That would be a more comfortable fit the way that the baby will be latching on the breast. And also, being that the breast has the ducts that are filled with liquid towards the back of the breast, the baby has to suckle around there so that they can get enough milk also.
If it becomes painful, I believe that the baby is just on the nipple, so we have to teach the moms the correct latching. Also, to alleviate any soreness or irritation, I usually will tell mom to express a little bit of her milk and baste it on her breast and let it air dry. Being that her milk is so rich in antibodies, it will heal much quicker.
Melanie: And what would you tell a mother about eating healthy while she’s breastfeeding? What are some tips and suggestions you would like her to do and maybe even some things you would like her to avoid?
Maria: Well, things to avoid are usually things that are high in caffeine, things that cause a lot of gases, or things that are too spicy or too hot -- if they eat too much of it. Usually – and I give them also a list of fish that have a lot of mercury. We try to avoid that, and we try to get them to eat a more nutritious meal than just fast food or things like that. I usually will tell the mom that what she eats, the baby is also eating, and of course, you want to make good milk for the baby.
Melanie: And what about pumping? If a woman does have to go back to work after however many weeks, what do you tell her about how much she should be expressing and what to do with it once she has done that? Can it be frozen? What do you tell her about that?
Maria: Yeah, a lot of moms do work, or out of their homes after a few weeks. I don’t recommend pumping right away unless they have a baby in intensive care that they need to begin earlier. I usually will tell a mom if it’s a term baby that is with rooming in with her and everything, to wait at least two weeks so that she can have a supply so that she can actually be able to collect anything. A lot of times they get the idea that they don’t have enough milk because they used the pump and they only have a drop or two coming down on the first day. I tell them that if they are going to pump, they need to be doing it often, at least every two to three hours, and be consistent because that’s how they’re going to build a supply.
As far as storing milk – especially for moms that are working – I usually will tell them to start at least ten days before they go back to work where they can store the breast milk in the freezer. Anything after they breastfeed they can collect, they can put it in the freezer, label it, put the date and time that they breastfeed so that they can always use the older milk first. And actually, milk can last from six to twelve months in the freezer, so they can have a good supply. They can still pump while they’re working or going to school if they have at least two breaks during the day so that they can keep their supply going. They need to continue doing frequent stimulation on the breasts.
Melanie: And tell us about your Basics of Breastfeeding classes at Doctors Hospital of Laredo.
Maria: Okay, we have a childbirth class ever month. Actually, it’s two classes on the first two Tuesdays of the month. They are from 6pm to 8pm. Moms that want to attend the classes should register. They can go onto the Doctors Hospital website, and there’s a place where they can register. It’s good for her and her partner. The first class will cover the labor and delivery procedures, the labor process, pain management, and postpartum period. The second class is on breastfeeding and newborn care.
These are very good classes for them so that they can be able to educate themselves and know what to expect once they have their baby. We also have a breastfeeding class held on the last Thursday of the month. This is a two-hour class, and it’s more in-depth into breastfeeding as far as this goes into positioning and latching. It’s just more information. This one is held here in the postpartum conference room, and it’s from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon.
Melanie: And to learn more about the Basics of Breastfeeding at Doctors Hospital of Laredo, you can attend this free class, which is offered the last Thursday of every month by calling 956-523-2530 to register. And to wrap it up for us, Maria, your best advice about women making that decision to breastfeed?
Maria: My advice would be to get educated, take advantage of anything that you can be able to read. Do not go by what a lot of people will be telling you. A lot of times people will have bad experiences, and they relay them on to their families and everybody else, but they should get evidence-based information. These are the type of classes that would give them that type of information.
Melanie: Thank you, so much, for being with us today. You’re listening to Doctors Hospital Health News with Doctors Hospital of Laredo. For more information, you can go to IChooseDoctorsHospital.com, that’s IChooseDoctorsHospital.com. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Doctors Hospital of Laredo. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. Doctors Hospital of Laredo is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital medical staff. This is Melanie Cole. Thanks, so much for listening.
The Benefits of Breastfeeding: Doctors Hospital Offers Classes and Support
Melanie Cole (Host): When you breastfeed you give your baby a healthy start that lasts a lifetime. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. My guest today, is Maria Noela Avila. She’s a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant at Doctor’s Hospital of Laredo. Welcome to the show, Maria. When should a woman begin making the decision to breastfeed? Should it be when she is pregnant or does she wait until after? When does she make that decision?
Maria Noela Avila (Guest): A mother should be thinking about what she will be feeding her baby way before she has her baby. It’s a way they need to prepare themselves by getting the education that they need just to know how their body is going to be working and how the baby should be responding so that they have a good, informed decision by the time they have their baby.
Melanie: What are some of the health benefits that we know now – and also from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which says that breast milk is the best food for baby – what are some of the health benefits of breastfeeding?
Maria: Well, there’s a lot of benefits in breast milk. One that it is so easy for the baby to digest – it helps them – it’s like a laxative, and they can digest really quickly, as well as nutrition. It’s also got all of the minerals and vitamins and everything that the baby needs for complete nutrition. It will help with his reproduction of all his organs. It’s going to provide a lot of antibodies so that he can have defenses. It will help with his respiratory system, kidneys, with less ear infections. Overall, it’s the best nutrition for a baby.
Melanie: And what about for mothers? It’s good for them as well?
Maria: Oh yeah, for mothers, the fact that when a baby is breastfeeding on a mother’s breast, it’s going to exercise her body so that she can start going back to her pre-pregnancy weight. She loses anywhere from 500 to 600 calories per day whenever she is breastfeeding. She starts losing the weight that she gained during her pregnancy sooner. Because she is exercising her body, she has less risk of getting obese and getting type two diabetes. She also is going to be healthier. It’s got many, many benefits also for mom.
Melanie: Let’s talk about beginning breastfeeding. After the baby is born, what’s the first thing you teach women about latching on and about not getting frustrated because it’s not always the easiest thing, is it?
Maria: Oh, no. There are many challenges in that a baby – after the first hour – the first hour they’re very alert, and they will be able to breastfeed, but after the first hour they go into deep sleep cycles. It becomes a little challenging because the mother wants them to eat and baby is not cooperating. I will usually tell mom, “You know what? We need to let the baby transition. Let him begin to ask for the feedings.” As soon as – I will teach them that they do have milk because that’s one of the – 99% of our moms say, “I don’t’ have anything for my baby,” because they don’t see any milk coming out. With breastfeeding, they need to actually establish the milk to begin to circulate and make more.
The baby’s tummy is super tiny, and that’s one of the things that I have to keep reinforcing to them. You don’t need to have a lot of milk so that the baby can be well-fed because the baby’s tummy is the size of a little marble, they digest it really quickly, and then they’ll be hungry often. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have enough milk. It just means that they want to be practicing in the latching and the suckling and getting it all to become abundant.
Melanie: And how do you advise women to get their partners involved in the breastfeeding process?
Maria: Usually, I like to teach both of them as I am giving them my education no breastfeeding. I tell dad you will have to be part of the feeding because you do need to bring the baby to the mom, remind the mom when it is feeding time, and help out with changing the diapers and to become part of what the baby will be doing.
Melanie: And what about some common breastfeeding challenges? You’ve already spoken about low milk supply and letting women know that it does happen. What about if it’s painful for the woman or she’s having issues with it? What do you tell about just continuing with it or some of those challenges – are there something they can do when it becomes painful?
Maria: Yes, it’s very important to teach the mom how to latch the baby because a lot of the moms have the concept that the baby should be watching just to the nipple and the baby should be opening his mouth wide and latching around the areola. That would be a more comfortable fit the way that the baby will be latching on the breast. And also, being that the breast has the ducts that are filled with liquid towards the back of the breast, the baby has to suckle around there so that they can get enough milk also.
If it becomes painful, I believe that the baby is just on the nipple, so we have to teach the moms the correct latching. Also, to alleviate any soreness or irritation, I usually will tell mom to express a little bit of her milk and baste it on her breast and let it air dry. Being that her milk is so rich in antibodies, it will heal much quicker.
Melanie: And what would you tell a mother about eating healthy while she’s breastfeeding? What are some tips and suggestions you would like her to do and maybe even some things you would like her to avoid?
Maria: Well, things to avoid are usually things that are high in caffeine, things that cause a lot of gases, or things that are too spicy or too hot -- if they eat too much of it. Usually – and I give them also a list of fish that have a lot of mercury. We try to avoid that, and we try to get them to eat a more nutritious meal than just fast food or things like that. I usually will tell the mom that what she eats, the baby is also eating, and of course, you want to make good milk for the baby.
Melanie: And what about pumping? If a woman does have to go back to work after however many weeks, what do you tell her about how much she should be expressing and what to do with it once she has done that? Can it be frozen? What do you tell her about that?
Maria: Yeah, a lot of moms do work, or out of their homes after a few weeks. I don’t recommend pumping right away unless they have a baby in intensive care that they need to begin earlier. I usually will tell a mom if it’s a term baby that is with rooming in with her and everything, to wait at least two weeks so that she can have a supply so that she can actually be able to collect anything. A lot of times they get the idea that they don’t have enough milk because they used the pump and they only have a drop or two coming down on the first day. I tell them that if they are going to pump, they need to be doing it often, at least every two to three hours, and be consistent because that’s how they’re going to build a supply.
As far as storing milk – especially for moms that are working – I usually will tell them to start at least ten days before they go back to work where they can store the breast milk in the freezer. Anything after they breastfeed they can collect, they can put it in the freezer, label it, put the date and time that they breastfeed so that they can always use the older milk first. And actually, milk can last from six to twelve months in the freezer, so they can have a good supply. They can still pump while they’re working or going to school if they have at least two breaks during the day so that they can keep their supply going. They need to continue doing frequent stimulation on the breasts.
Melanie: And tell us about your Basics of Breastfeeding classes at Doctors Hospital of Laredo.
Maria: Okay, we have a childbirth class ever month. Actually, it’s two classes on the first two Tuesdays of the month. They are from 6pm to 8pm. Moms that want to attend the classes should register. They can go onto the Doctors Hospital website, and there’s a place where they can register. It’s good for her and her partner. The first class will cover the labor and delivery procedures, the labor process, pain management, and postpartum period. The second class is on breastfeeding and newborn care.
These are very good classes for them so that they can be able to educate themselves and know what to expect once they have their baby. We also have a breastfeeding class held on the last Thursday of the month. This is a two-hour class, and it’s more in-depth into breastfeeding as far as this goes into positioning and latching. It’s just more information. This one is held here in the postpartum conference room, and it’s from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon.
Melanie: And to learn more about the Basics of Breastfeeding at Doctors Hospital of Laredo, you can attend this free class, which is offered the last Thursday of every month by calling 956-523-2530 to register. And to wrap it up for us, Maria, your best advice about women making that decision to breastfeed?
Maria: My advice would be to get educated, take advantage of anything that you can be able to read. Do not go by what a lot of people will be telling you. A lot of times people will have bad experiences, and they relay them on to their families and everybody else, but they should get evidence-based information. These are the type of classes that would give them that type of information.
Melanie: Thank you, so much, for being with us today. You’re listening to Doctors Hospital Health News with Doctors Hospital of Laredo. For more information, you can go to IChooseDoctorsHospital.com, that’s IChooseDoctorsHospital.com. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Doctors Hospital of Laredo. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. Doctors Hospital of Laredo is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital medical staff. This is Melanie Cole. Thanks, so much for listening.