The Brain and Spine Institute is made up of experts in the field of neuroscience in order to bring patients the best healthcare in East Tennessee for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders.
myClipboard
myClipboard
Save news, events, articles and doctor's information to your personal clipboard for later reference.
Add items by clicking the 
button.
Create an account
Centers of Excellence
-
-
We provide a comprehensive continuum of cancer services, including prevention, outreach, diagnostic, treatment and support services delivered by our highly skilled staff with compassion and care.
-
The Center for Women & Children's Health is a hub for supporting women's and children's individual healthcare needs. The center provides support, research and unmatched patient-centered care.
-
Emergency and Trauma Services is the only Level I Trauma Center in the area and serves as the tertiary referral center for medical care in East Tennessee, serving Knox County and 21 surrounding counties.
-
The Heart Lung Vascular Institute brings together expertise in clinical care, teaching and research. Patients receive exceptional healthcare combined with patient-centered care.
UT Medical Center
News
Share
Print
Breastfeeding Benefits
Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Breastmilk is the best food for babies. It has stood the test of time. It serves to protect the baby while their own immune system develops. It is easy to digest and changes during feedings—from feeding to feeding and from day to day as your baby grows—to meet his changing needs. Although breastfeeding is the way humans were designed to feed their babies, it is a learned process for both of you. It may take several days for you and the baby to become rhythmical in this new process, so relax and enjoy this time of learning.
Most babies are not interested in feeding during the first 24 to 48 hours. They are tired from the delivery experience, too. Healthy newborns are in a fluid overload and do not require much volume. That is why colostrum (early milk) is so perfect the first few days. It’s very concentrated and has everything babies need.
In the first few days, encourage the baby to nurse for at least 10 to 15 minutes. (This may take 20 to 30 minutes of working with him just to get him to suckle for 10 to 15 minutes.) When your milk comes in, encourage your baby to nurse as long as he wants to before offering him the other breast (usually 15 to 30 minutes). He may or may not need to take the other side. If he does not nurse from the 2nd breast, just start with this side at the next feeding.
Within a short period of time you will feel comfortable, following your baby’s lead in letting him determine how long to nurse, and if he needs to take only one side or two. Feedings usually will be from 15 to 40 minutes in the early weeks. The length of feedings may vary during the day and from day to day.
Sign up today for one of our breastfeeding classes and learn what you need to know.
Find out more about the risks of not breastfeeding or breastfeeding tips.
The UT Medical Center Lactation Department is available to you by calling 865.305.9337 if you have any questions or need more information.
For additional information about breastfeeding or pregnancy and childbirth, visit Joy. An Online Guide, part of the Center for Women & Children’s Health.