Breastfeeding Services

WellSpan Breastfeeding Services offers comprehensive care to support breastfeeding mothers and babies. Our team of specially trained lactation experts includes nurses and nurse practitioners who are also internationally board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs). We work hard every day to help women achieve their goals and to walk beside them on their breastfeeding journey.

We understand that each family is unique. Our expert team tailors each visit to meet the family's needs and expectations. No matter how long you desire to breastfeed, we are here to help support your journey and help you meet your goals. Our team works with mothers from all walks of life – from ages all ages, single mothers, married mothers, working mothers, same-sex couples and everyone in between.

Regardless of where you delivered or plan to deliver your baby, we are here to provide you with support and answers to your breastfeeding questions. Our office services are led by a family practice nurse practitioner and a midwife, who are both credentialed to diagnose, prescribe medications, and refer for testing or procedures, as needed. These specialists are also board-certified in lactation. We also have nurses in the hospital – both lactation consultants and lactation counselors – who provide care and support to women who have just delivered babies.

It is Wellspan’s goal to promote breastfeeding as the best way to feed your baby and provide nutrition. Our staff will encourage and support the mother who chooses to breast feed or pump breast milk for her newborn baby. We are committed to provide care and education to the breastfeeding family.

You should expect:

To receive information about breast feeding support and classes throughout your pregnancy.
Staff to be aware of the written breastfeeding policies and use their skills and knowledge from training to begin a positive breastfeeding experience for you and your baby.
To be offered to put your newborn skin-to-skin directly after birth and breastfeed within the first hour of birth.
To have your newborn in your room 24 hours each day to encourage breastfeeding on demand.
Education on hunger signs, proper holds and latch. If unsure about feeding options for your baby, you will receive education, encouragement and help to breast feed or pump your milk.
No pacifiers or formula supplements will be offered to your baby unless there are medical reasons.
To be offered breastfeeding support both in the hospital and after discharge.

Conditions Treated

Our team of lactation consultants are here to help you through all phases of the breastfeeding journey – from pregnancy through weaning. We specialize in caring for women with a history of:

Anxiety related to breastfeeding challenges
Breast augmentation, including enhancement and reduction
Breastfeeding difficulties with other babies
Depression
Gestational diabetes
Hypertension during pregnancy

Infertility
Nipple piercings
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Pre-pregnancy diabetes
Pre-pregnancy hypertension
Sexual abuse and/or physical abuse
Thyroid conditions

While breastfeeding is a natural act of nourishment and bonding between mom and baby, we understand that it doesn’t always come naturally. We are here to help in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. We offer support for breastfeeding moms and babies who are dealing with the following situations:

Bottle-feeding difficulties
Cleft lip and palate
Decreased milk production
Help with returning to work
Latch difficulties or problems
Mastitis

Nipple and/or breast pain
Postpartum depression
Pumping only, including choosing the correct breast pump
Tongue and lip tie
Traveling away from baby

How We Can Help

Prenatal Consultations

We offer prenatal consultations, which include a physical exam to evaluate breast anatomy, and a review of health history, expectations, and any concerns. If you plan to breastfeed or are exploring your infant feeding options, our prenatal consults are a proactive step you can take to become informed about infant nutrition and your own body.

Setting Appropriate Expectations and Goals for Breastfeeding

Women with certain pre-existing conditions – such as PCOS, infertility, or breast augmentation – will benefit from a prenatal evaluation to help with breastfeeding expectations and goals.

Inpatient Hospital Visits

When you deliver your baby in a WellSpan hospital and plan to breastfeed, you can expect to be visited by a lactation consultant. She will observe your baby’s latch and a feeding session, and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Postpartum Visits

We offer postpartum visits to women and babies. During these visits, both mom and baby receive an exam and a feeding evaluation by a health care provider. Please bring your baby ready to do a feeding, your breast pump to evaluate function, and your breastfeeding pillow for comfort.

Care for All Pregnancies

Our lactation consultants provide breastfeeding support for preemies and full-term babies. We also work with multiples (twins and triplets).

Induced Lactation

We offer induced lactation services, which can be for women who are adopting a baby, having a surrogate carry their baby, or same-sex couples to enable them to breastfeed their child.

Support Groups

WellSpan offers a variety of support groups for new moms – from our Mommy Talk group that is open to all new moms to breastfeeding-specific support groups.

Keystone 10 Initiative

WellSpan is proud to participate in the Keystone 10 Initiative, a statewide breastfeeding quality program that aims to improve the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding for all Pennsylvania moms and babies.