Breastfeeding Help and Support for New Mothers
The number of mothers in the U.S. who are choosing to breastfeed their babies continues to rise. The 2020 Breastfeeding Report Card published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 81 percent of newborn infants start life being breastfed.
Download our breastfeeding policy to read about Corona Regional Medical Center's commitment to breastfeeding.
Corona Regional Medical Center is Baby-Friendly
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund to recognize hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding. Since 2005, the Initiative has recognized Corona Regional Medical Center for providing mothers with the information, confidence, encouragement and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.
Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Benefits for Mothers
Health benefits to mothers who breastfeed include:
- Lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer later in life
- Quicker recovery after pregnancy and childbirth
- May help the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size more quickly
- Possibility of burning as many as 500 calories a day
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists a number of benefits for both you and your baby.
Mothers who breastfeed may also save money on formula expenses and medical bills because their babies have a better chance of staying healthy.
Benefits for Your Baby
Looking beyond the emotional connection, babies who breastfeed typically get sick less often. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that your milk provides virtually all the nutrients your baby needs to strengthen his or her immune system. Antibodies and white blood cells in your milk can keep your baby healthy not only while they are breastfed, but long after they stop. Breastfeeding exclusively for at least a year can reduce your baby’s risk of certain infections, illnesses and other problems, including:
- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Certain allergies
- Childhood obesity
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Ear infection
- Heart disease
- Kidney infections
- Pneumonia
- Stomach problems
- Urinary tract infections
Our Stance on Breast Milk Substitutions
As a Baby-Friendly Hospital, Corona Regional Medical Center supports mothers who want to breastfeed and understands when breastfeeding isn’t an option. For families who either choose to not breastfeed or are unable to breastfeed, we teach safe and appropriate methods of preparing, storing and feeding your baby with formula.
Receiving Support
If you have questions, please ask! The staff at Corona Regional is trained and ready to give you answers and support. Unless medically contradicted, once you give birth we carry out a successful procedure that may involve:
- Initiating breastfeeding and skin-to-skin benefits
- Nurse assistance and support
- Ways to properly pump and store your breast milk
- Education on infant feeding cues
- Step-by-step guidance throughout