The last couple of days I was the “post-partum” doctor:  each day, one of us Kaiser docs is in charge of all the post-partum patients at the hospital.  This is a really fun job because you get to see all the newborn babies, all wrapped up like burritos, snuggled up and cute. 

The parents have just survived the first night, and maybe it was hard, but it was only one night so they are still pretty chipper.  But as a mom of three, I know what's coming, and I’m not going to lie, I’m looking forward to getting a good night sleep tonight!  I know that's not going to happen for quite a while for these new moms and dads.

Those first few days and weeks can be brutal, which is too bad, because the babies are so adorable and you can hardly enjoy it as a new parent.  Part of that is because, especially for a first-time mom, learning to breastfeed can be a real challenge.  It does not necessarily come naturally, as one would think.  And yet, breastfeeding is so important and rewarding. 

The first few days, the babies only get colostrum, which is vital for the baby, giving the baby immunoglobulins to help fight off infection.  But it’s a very small amount of fluid and the baby’s little tummy is not filled up.  The baby is hungry.  Many parents get really worried that their baby needs food.  In fact, babies are born prepared to lose some fat and fluid those first few days, while waiting for the milk to come in.  But make no mistake, they will fuss....a lot.  So many parents will give their babies a little formula. 

In fact, babies don’t need anything.  Since they are hungry and fussy, the mom tries to let the baby nurse often, and so the signal gets sent to the mom’s brain  “send milk...NOW...a lot, please!” and that is just what happens.  After about four or five days, that milk comes in, boy, does it come in.  So then there is the opposite problem -- too much milk, engorgement, pain.  Oh dear.  After a few more days, the mom’s body starts to get a better idea of how much milk this little newborn angel really needs, and things start to balance out, but that first week or two can be tough.  

Breastfeeding has so many benefits to mom and baby.  The benefits are well-proven and quite frankly, there are few other things we know we can do for our kids that are quite so helpful.  So it is worth trying to get over that hump and get those babies nursing.  It's less expensive, it;s more convenient, you always have food for your baby on hand that is healthy and ready to eat, fewer infections for babies, more weight loss for moms, etc., etc.

And one last thing:  You know why women have breasts?  To feed babies.  So don’t be embarrassed to feed your baby in public, let everyone see what breasts are for!

So when I see these new moms in the hospital, it never fails to remind me of my early parenting days, when I breast-fed for the first time, and I was SURPRISED at how hard it was at first, but probably even more surprised at how rewarding it was.  I loved nursing. I nursed each of my girls for a year and it was great, hard at times, but definitely great.  I try to pass this on to the new moms and give them some realistic expectations of what is ahead, to encourage and reassure them.  

The journey is going to be beautiful.