Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding is the single best thing you can do for your baby in their first year of life. The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with complementary foods until 2 years of age.
All parents want what is best for their babies but we understand that breastfeeding can be a considerable challenge for some moms. We are here to help with support and answers to your questions. Our PA at Legacy Pediatrics, Kate Shand, is a board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). Please feel free to call and talk to her about any breastfeeding questions or set up an appointment for more in depth issues with breastfeeding.
Helpful Breastfeeding Links
The Stanford School of Medicine has some great information and videos regarding breastfeeding.
- Getting Started with Breastfeeding
- Hand expression with Breastmilk
- The Well Fed Baby Checklist
- Frenotomy/Tongue tie
Breastfeeding support in the community
Strong Memorial Hospital has a Division of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine group for additional supports. We also love Beautiful Birth Choices as an option for classes and breastfeeding groups.
You can also read more on breastfeeding and see our breastfeeding guide in our parent guide.
Questions about maternal pharmaceutical drugs and their effects on breastfeeding?
Please visit the US National Library of Medicine section called LactMed by clicking here. Insert the drug name and find the most recent data on how this may effect your baby. And as always, if you have questions, call our office and speak to one of our nurses, or our lactation specialist and PA, Kate Shand.
Breastmilk Storage
Many parents have questions about how long pumped/expressed breastmilk is good for in various situations (fresh/refrigerated/frozen). The chart below was derived from the Stanford School of Medicine breastmilk storage instructions.
| Breastmilk | Time |
|---|---|
| Fresh, room temperature | 8 Hours |
| Fresh, refrigerated | 8 Days |
| Thawed, after freezing | 24 hours |
| Frozen (-20°F to 0°F) | 12 months |
| Frozen in home freezer (5°F to 15°F) | 6 months |
| Frozen in small interior freezer | 2 weeks |
Please feel free to call and talk to her about any breastfeeding questions or set up an appointment for more in depth issues with breastfeeding. And check out a blog she wrote with some helpful tips regarding breastfeeding.