As a new parent, one of the first decisions you will need to make is how to feed your baby. The team at Valley Medical Center is here to assist parents with making an informed decision, which best meets the needs of your family.
At Valley Medical Center, our team supports, protects and promotes breastfeeding as the best nutrition for babies. Human milk provides the perfect nutrition for babies, protecting them from many illnesses, allergies, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, commonly referred to as SIDS, and other diseases such as diabetes, asthma and childhood leukemia. Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, postpartum depression and osteoporosis. Other benefits include eliminating the expense of buying formula and less time off from work caring for a sick child.
Valley Medical Center is on a journey to becoming a designated Baby Friendly facility. That means we follow the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Our team is committed to providing the highest quality, safe care for both you and your baby.
Our promises to you include:
- We will follow a standard of care to help you and your baby be successful in feeding.
- Our nurses have had extensive education and training to help you learn how to breastfeed.
- We will provide education to you during your pregnancy on the benefits of breastfeeding. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits of breastfeeding and your feeding choice.
- We will protect the Golden Hour after delivery. This is the precious first hour where your baby transitions from being inside your womb to the outside world. This significant time helps create a bond between mothers and their babies. We will encourage you to keep your baby skin-to-skin to help with regulating your baby’s breathing, heart rate and temperature. We will help you begin breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery when your baby’s sucking reflex is very strong.
- We will show you how to breastfeed and help you to establish a good milk supply.
- We give babies only breastmilk unless there is a medical need.
- Babies and mothers stay together during the hospital stay. This is the best way to get to know and bond with your baby.
- We will encourage mothers to feed babies on “cue.” Babies show when they are hungry and we will teach to know these cues.
- In order to help establish milk supply, we encourage no pacifier or bottle use until breastfeeding is well established.
- We will provide you with support and resources when you go home. Valley Medical Center’s Lactation Services can be reached at 425.228.3440, ext. 2526.
Valley’s Women and Children’s Services team wants you to make an informed decision. We will support your decision and ensure you have the information needed to safely feed your baby.
For more tips about preparing to breastfeed, visit our Lactation Services page with 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester guides for breastfeeding preparation.
For more information on the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and Valley’s designation, visit babyfriendlyusa.org.
Successful Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know Guides
First Trimester
Second Trimester
Third Trimester
