July 9, 1999

Mothers often have questions about breastfeeding their newborn babies. Now new moms can find answers in a breastfeeding journal being distributed at the MGH.

Created by Maureen Tully, RN, IBCLC, and designed by a team of nurses and doctors interested in enhancing the MGH's breastfeeding program, the journals have been offered to mothers by Blake 14 nurses since April. The journal is designed to take women step-by-step through the first week of breastfeeding and to educate mothers and fathers about the benefits of breastfeeding.

"We needed to improve the quality and consistency of the way we teach mothers about breastfeeding and how to avoid the problems that can occur in the first weeks," says Lisa Stellwagen, MD, medical director of the Newborn Nurseries.

The journal, which also is available in Spanish, includes tallies to help keep track of baby's feeding and elimination patterns, daily tips to support mother and baby and a listing of community resources and books.

Barbara Corcoran, left, with son Chase Joseph, receives a copy of the
journal from Tully, center, and Jane Cronin, RN.