Lactation Consultations and Support Services
Members of the Center for Breastfeeding Medicine provide comprehensive care to breastfeeding mothers and babies. Through research and quality improvement projects, advocacy, and education the Center's lactation professionals strive to improve the care offered.
Inpatient Consultation
Lactation consultation is available to babies hospitalized in all areas of Cincinnati Children's; Lactation professionals work with the medical team to design an individualized feeding plan for each baby, incorporating the wishes and abilities of the mother. Hospital-grade electric breast pumps are available for use in the hospital. Assistance with obtaining pumps for mothers to use at home or at the Ronald McDonald House is provided. Close discharge follow-up is arranged to continue breastfeeding support upon the transition home, including follow up in the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic.
An outpatient surgery, testing, or another type of visit may interrupt breastfeeding. Mothers can plan ahead to bring their own breast pump and a cooler bag for milk storage. If a mother would like privacy for direct breastfeeding or pumping, she can ask a staff member for assistance.
A mother who has a non-hospitalized breastfeeding baby can continue to maintain her milk supply by directly breastfeeding or pumping. Mothers are advised to ask a staff member for more information before a planned admission or when already at Cincinnati Children’s.
Primary Care Breastfeeding Support Service
Babies seen in the Burnet Pediatric Primary Care (PPC), Hopple Street Neighborhood Health Center, and Fairfield Primary Care offices receive breast milk feeding support during the early months of regularly scheduled primary care visits and then as needed. Without needing to make additional appointments, families can easily access resources provided by trained lactation staff to help reach their feeding goals for their babies.
Babies and their mothers can get assistance with:
- Concerns for low milk supply
- Painful feeding
- Breast pump use
- Returning to work or school
- Introduction of other foods
- Biting
- Weaning
- And more
Enrolled primary care patients can call their office’s nurse line for lactation assistance.
Outpatient Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic
Pediatricians, who are also International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, see patients in the outpatient Breastfeeding Medicine Clinics located at the Medical Office Building (MOB), Green Township, Liberty Campus and Mason locations. During Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic assessments, mothers and babies are registered and seen together as patients in order to best help families create a comprehensive plan that meets the needs of all involved. No referrals are needed for appointments, but the baby must be seen by their primary physician after birth and before coming in for an appointment.
Outpatient consultation typically includes evaluation and treatment of:
- Prenatal breastfeeding concerns
- Management of low milk supply and oversupply
- Better positioning help to manage sore nipples
- Breastfeeding assistance for premature babies, multiple gestation (twins and triplets), and babies with complex medical issues
- Nutritional management for slow weight gain
- Treatment for thrush in the baby
Visits are scheduled from 8:15-5pm Monday-Friday. To schedule an appointment for the mother and baby together in the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic, call 513-636-2326. No referral is needed.
