Breastfeeding Support

To help you achieve your personal breastfeeding goals, we provide nurturing care, education and support.

We strongly endorse breast milk as the optimal nutrition for newborns. We also know that, while breastfeeding is natural, it is not always easy, and that each mother has unique circumstances. Our highly trained staff works with you to provide personalized support to meet your individual goals and needs.

Lactation Support and Services

Before birth. We encourage you to attend a prenatal breastfeeding class before your baby is born to improve your breastfeeding experience. Expectant mothers are welcome to call us with questions.

In the hospital. All of our doctors, maternity nurses and board-certified lactation consultants are highly trained and available to help support you in breastfeeding. Breastfeeding classes, taught by our International Board-Certified lactation consultants, are held daily on the Maternity Unit to provide specialized, hands-on breastfeeding support, answer your questions, and assess your progress.

Read our Infant Feeding Policy.

At home. Once you and your baby go home, our lactation consultants are available by phone. We invite you to browse our list of local breastfeeding resources.

How Skin-to-Skin Bonding Helps Breastfeeding

Placing your baby skin-to-skin on your chest during the first hours and days after birth has been shown to support your baby’s transition to life outside of the womb, and help establish successful breastfeeding and bonding. In your birth plan, you may include your wish to have your newborn baby (unclothed or wearing only a diaper) placed immediately on your chest and covered with a blanket, where you can relax together for as long as possible. If you or your baby has special medical needs, or if your baby is born prematurely, skin-to-skin time is still beneficial when it becomes medically possible. Your partner can also provide skin-to-skin time with your baby, which helps keep baby warm, and provides bonding time. Your doctor can work with your family to determine what’s best to meet your and your baby’s needs.