At RMC we provide the highest standard of care for newborns and their families. All of our staff are trained on the best care for supporting breastfeeding mothers and infants. Infants are given to mother immediately at delivery to begin Skin-to-Skin (STS) care. Babies remain STS for at least 1 hour and until they have breastfed for the very first time. Non-emergent care procedures such as bathing and weighing the baby are delayed until the first breastfeeding is complete. Mothers are supported on their breastfeeding journey and encouraged to avoid feeding supplementations unless medically indicated. Even then, mothers are encouraged to give their own expressed colostrum/breastmilk or use our available pasteurized donor human milk for supplementation if medically indicated. Furthermore, the use of pacifiers is discouraged until breastfeeding is well established, at least 3-4 weeks, as recommended by many professional organizations.
Our policies also support 24-hour rooming-in of mothers and infants so that our parents and families are better prepared to care for the infant at home by identifying feeding cues, infant needs, and protecting breastmilk supply. Mothers are encouraged to feed their infant on demand, with feeding cues, and not to feed infants on a rigid schedule. Our facility also avoids advertising infant formula and feeding products anywhere within our facility. At RMC, we coordinate follow-up care for the breastfeeding mother and infant to ensure they have resources available after discharge to continue a successful breastfeeding journey.