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Postnatal Care

Breastfeeding & Chestfeeding Support

Getting Ready

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.

Getting Started

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.

Success at Home

After you leave the hospital and settle into a feeding routine at home, our lactation consultants are just a phone call away. Our resources vary across our Maternity Center locations but include:

Emory University Hospital Midtown – Our two online breastfeeding/chestfeeding classes cover breastfeeding basics and pumping/returning to work.

Emory Decatur Hospital – New parents can register for our breastfeeding classes online or in-person, or join the weekly support group by clicking the links below.

Online Resources

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.

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Videos

Emory Healthcare makes every effort to use inclusive and welcoming language in all our marketing materials. It’s a process where we continually learn and improve. Please accept our apologies for not always using inclusive language in the following videos. We see you and welcome all families.
The Benefits of Breastfeeding- Betsy Collins, MD
Benefits of Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding – Dr. Betsy Collins shares helpful information on why breastfeeding/chestfeeding is important and how you can set yourself up for success.
Breastfeeding Positions and Best Tips - Betsy Collins, MD
Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Positions and Best Tips – Dr. Collins offers tips for finding a comfortable position that also optimizes milk transfer and explains how the baby should latch on the nipple.
Pain Relief During Labor – There are three options for helping manage your pain during labor and delivery. Dr. Collins discusses each of those options and how they may (and may not) impact breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
Postpartum Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding – Dr. Collins outlines what you can expect after deliver and how to get started with breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

Contact Us

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