Lactation Support Program
91制片厂在线看 Children's Supports Breastfeeding
At 91制片厂在线看 Children鈥檚 Hospital, Delaware, in Wilmington, Delaware we recognize that breastfeeding is the optimal nutrition for infants. We鈥檙e devoted to providing support and education to help you successfully breastfeed your baby.
- Why Breastfeed
- Services
- Additional Resources
- Contact Us
Why Is Breastfeeding Beneficial to Babies and Moms?
Breast milk is the preferred feeding for all infants and offers benefits not found in any substitute. It provides something called 鈥減assive immunity鈥 for the baby, protecting the baby from a wide variety of bacterial and viral illnesses. Breastfeeding also can lead to better cognitive development, as well as physical and emotional benefits due to skin-to-skin contact.
By breastfeeding, infants have a lesser chance of developing:
- some allergies
- type I diabetes
- obesity
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Mothers who breastfeed have shown improved postpartum (after birth) weight loss compared to those who chose not to breastfeed. Moms also gain emotional benefits from the close interaction with their babies. Breastfeeding can make life easier once you settle into a good routine, since there are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. It can also save money due to the high costs of formula and feeding supplies.
By breastfeeding, mothers have a lower risk of:
- breast and ovarian cancer
- type 2 diabetes
- postpartum depression
Exclusive breastfeeding ensures the best possible health, developmental and psychosocial outcomes for both mother and child.
Our Lactation Support Services
At 91制片厂在线看 Children鈥檚 Hospital, Delaware, we offer a number of services for moms who are breastfeeding or pumping breast milk for their babies. Our entire multidisciplinary care team, including an international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), serves as the front line for education, support and promoting a positive breastfeeding environment. With an IBCLC on staff, we provide optimal resources and support for mothers to begin and continue breastfeeding.
We offer breastfeeding support to mothers in several ways:
Inpatient Consults
Each nurse has been trained to offer lactation support to our families. However, sometimes moms need extra support. A lactation consultant is available for those having a difficult time breastfeeding or pumping.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Support
Premature infants fed human milk receive significant benefits, including protection from a wide variety of bacterial and viral illnesses. In addition, premature babies who receive breast milk have improved developmental outcomes compared to those who are formula-fed and they often experience shorter stays in the hospital.
Breast milk provides a unique composition of nutrients and immune factors, which are particularly beneficial to premature infants and help to prevent or decrease the severity of diseases, which include necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), upper respiratory infections, and sepsis (when the immune system responds to an infection by attacking the body鈥檚 own organs and tissues).
Outpatient Lactation Consults
Outpatient lactation consultations are available at our primary care locations in Rockland (Wilmington), Dover, and Milford. These patients can see an IBCLC for assistance with breastfeeding and/or milk expression. To schedule an appointment, please contact the location nearest you.
Donor Breast Milk
Banked breast milk may be used for some infants whose mothers have trouble providing enough breast milk to meet their babies鈥 nutritional needs.
Associate Lactation Support
Our board-certified lactation consultants offer one-on-one breastfeeding help. Lactation support is available for associates with concerns about how breastfeeding is going, for example, questions regarding latch pain, poor weight gain, tongue ties, and pumping. Call (302) 685-9119 to schedule an appointment.聽There is also a Back-to-Work course on 91制片厂在线看 University for associates returning to work after parental leave.
Warmline
Our warmline is staffed by breastfeeding peer counselors who are available to answer your questions and concerns about breastfeeding. For more information or for nonurgent breastfeeding issues, please call or text聽(302) 379-1131. A breastfeeding peer counselor will respond usually within 48 hours.
Facebook Group
Please join 91制片厂在线看 Breastfeeding Group to be part of our community of breastfeeding and pumping moms at all different stages in the feeding journey. This closed group is moderated by the lactation support team.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors
Peer counselors are mothers who have breastfed and know the challenges of getting started and making it to their feeding goals. They provide one-on-one, in-person聽support, telephone support, and host breastfeeding classes and events. For more information, please call our warmline at (302) 379-1131.
This service is available at these four primary care locations:
- 91制片厂在线看 Children's Health, Jessup Street听(奥颈濒尘颈苍驳迟辞苍)
- 91制片厂在线看 Children's Health, Dover
- 91制片厂在线看 Children's Health, Milford
- 91制片厂在线看 Children's Health, Seaford
Pump Program
91制片厂在线看 Children鈥檚 has partnered with Adapt Health (a durable medical equipment company, or DME) to provide our families with quality double electric breast pumps. Most health insurance plans are accepted. All others are ordered through an outside vendor. Please speak with your 91制片厂在线看 Children鈥檚 primary care location for assistance with obtaining a breast pump through your health insurance or call or text our breastfeeding warmline at聽(302) 379-1131.
More About Breastfeeding
91制片厂在线看 Lactation Support
Alice Ruff, BSPT, IBCLC, Doula
Phone: (302) 617-4787
Our team is here to assist you in achieving your personal breastfeeding goals. Contact us for more information or to schedule a personal consultation with a member of our lactation team.