Lactation services

Our birth center is dedicated to supporting you with your personal breastfeeding and infant feeding goals. While we endorse human milk as the ideal food for babies, we also know that breastfeeding can be challenging, and every mother and baby need individualized care and on-going guidance. Our dedicated team of nurses are there for you for the duration of your breastfeeding journey. We offer comprehensive breastfeeding support in the form of prenatal breastfeeding classes, experienced hands-on guidance during your stay, board certified lactation consultants who provide in-person and phone lactation consultations after you go home and a weekly new parents support group for families with babies up to one year old.

Prenatal breastfeeding education

Research shows that expectant mothers are more prepared and feel more empowered to successfully breastfeed their babies if they have had anticipatory guidance. Knowing what to expect, how to work on latching and being aware of where to find support if things don’t go as planned can help smooth the transition to breastfeeding and ease some of the anxiety that parents might face in the earliest days and weeks with a newborn. The breastfeeding class is taught by our board-certified lactation consultants and is the fifth and final class in the prenatal education series. It is available as part of the series or as a stand-alone class.

During your stay

Optimally, breastfeeding begins at birth. Our staff is committed to protecting what we call “the golden hours.” These precious moments right after your baby is born are the perfect time to initiate breastfeeding. You can expect that staff will support uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and help you and your baby with that first latch. Even if birth takes an unexpected turn, and your baby needs special care, our nurses will prioritize helping you express colostrum. Early and consistent removal of colostrum is essential to establishing a milk supply.

Ongoing support

Our staff recognize that breastfeeding is a unique journey for each family. Our Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultants provide lactation support once you go home in the form of in-person appointments or over the phone. Working with an IBCLC is often an essential part of a successful and rewarding breastfeeding experience, and nearly all insurance companies cover lactation care.

New parents group

Our new parents group has been an offering at the Ashland hospital for decades. This casual two-hour free gathering is hosted by one of our IBCLCs on a weekly basis in the hospital conference room. It provides a safe and welcoming space for parents of babies from newborn up to one year. While there is no specific instruction or agenda, we often share feeding challenges, celebrate milestones and create community. An infant scale is available for families who would like their baby’s weight checked. This gathering is currently every Wednesday from 11 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. (excluding holidays). Drop in any time during this two-hour window. There is no need to sign up ahead of time.