At Huntington Hospital, our nurses are available around the clock to support your breastfeeding goals. At the time of delivery or as soon as possible thereafter, your infant is placed skin-to-skin to offer immediate bonding. Certified lactation consultants and all registered nurses on staff at the hospital are available to answer any of your questions concerning your and your baby’s nutritional needs.

Breastfeeding during the first six months of life is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization and your pediatrician. Breast milk is significantly different from all artificial substitutes making it a superior source of nutrition for your baby.

Breastfeeding is a natural process, but also a learned art between mother and baby. There are so many benefits of breastfeeding. For however long you decide to nurse, your baby’s immune system can benefit greatly from breast milk. Your breast milk contains everything your baby needs.

• Species specific: human milk for human babies.
• Ideal food for infant’s growth and development
• Protection against illnesses-fewer upper respiratory infections
• 50% less ear infections (if breastfed four months or longer)
• Reduction of allergies
• Breast milk is always the right temperature, sterile, easily digested, and FREE!

• Decreased rates of sudden infant death (SIDS) in the first year of life
• Decreased incidence of diabetes (both types I and II)
• Decline in obesity
• Decreased incidence of hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in blood)
• Decreased incidence of lymphoma, leukemia, and Hodgkin’s disease
• Decreased incidence of asthma
• Slightly enhanced performance on tests of cognitive development

• Decreased postpartum bleeding and more rapid return of uterus to its normal size
• Promotes infant bonding
• Earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight
• It’s FREE
• Decreased risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer
• Decreased risk of ovarian cancer
• Possible decreased risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause

Remember that both you and your baby need to learn to breastfeed.

Huntington Hospital offers a free Breastfeeding Support Group every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at the Dolan Family Center at 284 Pulaski Rd. in Greenlawn. Open to the entire community, this is a wonderfully supportive group where lasting friendships are formed.

Research has shown that attending a breastfeeding mother’s group can lead to many positive outcomes such as:

• Decreased anxiety and feelings of frustration which lead to increased self-confidence while breastfeeding
• Achievement of your breastfeeding goals
• Increased duration of breastfeeding
• Decreased early and/or unplanned weaning from the breast

One mother said:
“On Wednesdays, we had a place to go and from your group, I have made friends that have helped make me a confident mother. Our community is truly blessed to be exposed to this wonderful group.”

Every year Huntington Hospital celebrates World Breastfeeding Week in August with a special brunch for all of our support group mothers.

For more information about the Breastfeeding Support Group, please call (631) 351-2358.

Prenatal breastfeeding classes are offered at Huntington Hospital every month.

Click here to see our schedule of available classes.

 

Huntington Hospital offers a telephone service for breastfeeding questions. Please leave a message for our Lactation Coordinator at (631) 351-2358 and she will return your call as soon as possible.

Huntington Hospital is dedicated to promoting, supporting and preserving breastfeeding. We are here to help you. The mother-baby team works together to assist you.

Information on locations offering breast pump rentals is available by calling
(631) 351-2358.

The following websites are good sources of more information about breastfeeding:

• www.aap.org
• www.4women.gov/breastfeeding
• www.llli.org
• www.mypyramid.gov
• www.breastfeedingpartners.org