Breastfeeding Support

Why Breastfeed? Because It’s Best!

Breastfeeding Is Best for Your Baby!

  • Breastmilk is the very best food there is for your baby.
  • Breastmilk is easier for babies to digest than formulas.
  • Breastfed babies are healthy.
  • Helps to protect your baby from health problems like:
    • Asthma
    • Ear Infection
    • Diarrhea and vomiting
    • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Childhood obesity
    • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
    • Childhood Leukemia

Breastfeeding is best for you!

  • Helps you lose your pregnancy weight faster.
  • Improves your mental health and protects against postpartum depression.
  • Helps to build better nutrition/eating habits. you need to produce more milk for the baby!
  • Helps to lower your risk of diseases like:
    • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Certain types of Breast Cancer
    • Ovarian Cancer

Breastfeeding is also good for your family!

  • A healthier baby means fewer doctor/hospital visits.
  • Fewer doctor visits means fewer missed work days to take care of a sick baby.
  • Breastmilk has no cost, so you’re saving money on the cost of formula!

Breastfeeding is also good for society and the environment!

  • Breastfeeding means using fewer plastic bottles which is good for the environment.
  • Breastfeeding can also reduce long-term healthcare costs for the community by reducing the risk of several diseases.

Tips for Success on Your Breastfeeding Journey

At 36 Weeks of Pregnancy

While at the Hospital After Birth

  • See the lactation consultant
  • Ask for a manual pump (they can come in handy)
  • Ask about breastfeeding resources in your community
  • Ask for a postpartum home visit from a nurse to check in to see how breastfeeding is progressing
  • Ask for the phone contact of the hospital lactation consultant in case you have breastfeeding concerns when you get home
    • Mercy Hospital Lactation Support – (716) 828-2616
    • Sisters Hospital Lactation Support – (716) 862-1939
    • Oishei Children’s Hospital Lactation Department at (716) 323-1837

Once You Return Home

  • Practice self-care; good nutrition, hydration, rest
  • Ask family & friends for support
  • Call your Ob/Gyn or pediatrician with breastfeeding concerns
  • Seek free community breastfeeding support
    • Catholic Health Baby Café, 716-862-1939
    • Oishei Baby Café, 716-323-1837
    • Durham’s Maternal Stress-Free Zone, 716-906-9388
    • Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network, 716-884-6711 ext. 1011 & 1012
    • OB•GYN Associates of WNY Baby Café, 716-675-5222
    • Jericho Road Baby Café, 716-886-0071
    • Buffalo Breastfeeding Sisters, 716-768-4758
    • Call/text your WIC Peer Counselor or (716) 424-3674
    • Our Mommie Village, (716) 449-8283
  • Don’t give up; breastfeeding is a learned art. Seek the advice of a lactation consultant
  • Did you know? Most insurances cover the cost of:
    • A breast pump
    • Breastfeeding and Birth Classes
    • Lactation Consultation
    • A postpartum home visit by a nurse
    • (Contact your insurance company to know what your benefits are)

Resources

Your Guide To Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Mothers Bill of Rights (other languages can be found here)

Breastfeeding Advice for Expectant Mothers

Breastfeeding Advice for Nursing Mothers

Free Community Support for Lactation

Breastfeeding Classes

Places to Order a Pump

Hospital Lactation Consultant Information

  • Mercy Hospital Lactation Support – (716) 828-2616
  • Sisters Hospital Lactation Support – (716) 862-1939
  • Oishei Children’s Hospital Lactation Department at (716) 323-1837

Free Breastfeeding Support

Find a Lactation Consultant