Postnatal Care

Feeding your infant isn’t always easy, but today, parents have a variety of options. At Emory Healthcare, we encourage our lactating parents to try breastfeeding/chestfeeding but understand and support every family’s journey is a little different. We’re here to help however we can and however you need us.

Emory Hospital Midtown and Emory Decatur Hospital are Baby-Friendly designated hospitals, which means we are prepared and dedicated to helping you and baby get the best start. That includes participating in the latest training and applying the latest research to support you during breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

Here, you can find the information, education and support you need to answer questions and settle into a strong routine with your baby—one that helps you both feel comfortable, confident and relaxed during every feeding.

Your obstetrician will begin sharing information about breastfeeding/chestfeeding before you give birth—even as early as your first trimester. After all, learning a completely new skill while meeting your baby just after labor and delivery can be overwhelming and exhausting. We want you to feel empowered and prepared when the day comes. Many of our birthing and prenatal classes also include information about breastfeeding/chestfeeding. You’re also welcome to call one of our Lactation Centers to schedule a one-on-one appointment with our experienced and certified consultants.

In the first moments of meeting your baby, they will be placed gently and directly on your chest. This contact (called skin to skin) offers many different benefits for you and your baby, including the opportunity to bond with baby, increasing your milk production and helping baby adjust to their new environment.

Once you and baby have recovered, you’ll be taken to your room where you both can rest and settle in together. We encourage rooming in, where the baby is kept with you all the time, to help you become familiar with your baby’s hunger cues and practice breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

The first feeding will typically be in the first few hours after birth. Your nurse will help you during feedings, including helping you position baby and share ways to encourage baby’s latch. Our lactation consultants are also available for one-on-one appointments. We will also visit you at least once during your stay with us.

We understand it can be hard to get around when expecting a child or caring for a newborn. We’ve compiled helpful resources to help you get ready for your breastfeeding/chestfeeding experiences – all from the comfort of your home. Please, take a few minutes reviewing the following and, of course, let us know if you have any questions.

Learn more about the breastfeeding/chestfeeding resources at Emory Healthcare and how we can help you feel confident and successful.

• Emory University Hospital Midtown - Lactation Center, 404-686-2883
• Emory Decatur Hospital - Lactation Center, 404-501-5787
• Emory Johns Creek Hospital - Lactation Center, 678-474-7269