Breastfeeding Support

At South Shore Health we pride ourselves in supporting and encouraging you to breastfeed your baby. However, should your baby require supplementation in addition to your breastmilk, we offer pasteurized human donor milk as well as formula. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that breastfeeding and human milk are the best options for infant feeding and nutrition. Should your baby require additional nutrition after breastfeeding for medical reasons, the AAP suggests the following order for supplementation:

Expressed Mother’s Milk - Mothers can hand express and pump to provide additional milk that has special properties, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory elements, which help develop the baby’s gut microbiome and immune system.

Pasteurized Donor Human Milk (when available) - PDHM is available to babies at South Shore Health. PDHM supports the baby’s gut microbiome. A healthy microbiome is important for building a strong immune system. 

Formula – Formula may also be used. Formula is a non-human milk feeding alternative.

• ABM Clinical Protocol #3: Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate, Revised 2017 (bfmed.org)
• Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org)

Pasteurized Donor Human Milk is breastmilk that has been donated by a medically screened and approved milk donor. The milk is pasteurized and tested before being distributed. The Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast is accredited by the Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as local and state authorities. Donor milk can provide a short-term “bridge” to breastfeeding, often improving long-term breastfeeding outcomes which have significant maternal and infant health benefits. 

*Please ask RN or LC for more information about PDHM

Donor Breast Milk • Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast (milkbankne.org) 

Day 1   

24 hours

During the 1st 1-2H after birth babies have periods of awake and alertness followed by many hours of sleepiness. This is an opportunity to follow your infant’s feeding cues. Striving for 8 feeding attempts during this period. Use this opportunity for supervised skin-to-skin.

Goal: at least 1 wet & 1 dirty diaper

Day 2 

24-48 hours

On day 2 babies become more wakeful and begin to increase the desire to nurse. This is completely normal. Keep your baby close and allow your baby to nurse as desired. Your baby should be offered to breastfeed at least every 3 hours.

Goal: at least 2 wet & 2 dirty diapers

Day 3 

48-72 hours   

 “Cluster” feeding begins. Increase feeding frequency following your infant’s cues. Your baby may want to feed 10-12 times this day.

Goal: at least 3 wet & 3 dirty diapers

Day 4   

72 -120 hours

Your milk supply will begin to increase and you should notice an increase in audible swallows. Your baby should be eating 8-12 times per 24 hours.

Goal: At least 4-5 wet & 4-5 dirty diapers

Early introduction to bottles and pacifier may hinder a plentiful milk supply.

Breastfeeding Tips  (Newborn and Infant Breastfeeding)

• The Golden Hour - Breastfeed within the 1st hour after birth
• Practicing safe skin to skin. Placing your infant (wearing a diaper and hat) against your bare skin. 
• Rooming in with your baby and learning your infant’s feeding cues
• Avoid early introduction to bottles and pacifiers. *Pacifier use has been associated with lower risk of SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends pacifier use after breastfeeding has been well established.

Evidence Base for 2022 Updated Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment to Reduce the Risk of Sleep-Related Infant Deaths | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org)

At South Shore Health, we recommend the Golden Hour to all birthing parents and newborns who are medically stable. 

Benefits of the Golden Hour

Birthing Parent  

• Reduction in postpartum bleeding 
• Increase both breastmilk supply and breastfeeding success rates 
• Decrease the risk of postpartum depression, anxiety and mood disorders 
• Higher oxygen levels                                                                                               

Newborn

• Improved weight gain
• More stable breathing & heart rate
• Better breastfeeding
• Long-Term development and attachment benefits

Golden Hour - Skin to Skin Understanding the Golden Hour: Background & Benefits | South Shore Health

You do not need to bring your own pump into the hospital. While inpatient the hospital has breast pumps available for use until discharge. Rest assured we can help you with the ordering process to obtain a personal pump for home use. Dartmouth Medical is our medical supply company. If your insurance is not covered by Dartmouth Medical we have other options available to you.

Pumped About Nursing | Order a Breast Pump | Dartmouth Medical Equipment (dmeinc.net)

• Persistent low production/supply
• Persistent breast nipple pain/damage
• Mastitis, Abscess, Galactoceles 
• Prior breast/chest surgery
• Oversupply (painful or problematic)
• Medical co-morbidities
• Anticipated preterm delivery 
• Anticipated infant complications
• Discharge from NICU
• Re-lactating and/or inducing lactation
• Previous difficulty breastfeeding

*Prenatal consults are available if a preterm delivery is anticipated

Lactation Education Resources (LER) Parent Handouts - Lactation Education Resources (lactationtraining.com)

SSH Lactation Support GroupEvents & Programs | South Shore Health

SSVNA – South Shore Health VNA | Visiting Nurses Association

Zipmilk.org local LC Resources. Neighborhood breastfeeding help is a click away | ZipMilk 

Lactation Warm Line – 781-624-8602 The Warm line is a phone line dedicated to calls relevant to lactation and breastfeeding support. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) will return your call and offer you the support and guidance you need.

More Additional Resources

Lactation Education Resources (LER) Parent Handouts - Lactation Education Resources (lactationtraining.com)

American Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Breastfeeding Practice Tools for Health Professionals (aap.org)

Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics

Updates on an At-Risk Population: Late-Preterm and Early-Term Infants | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics