Lactation Services

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants receive only human milk for the first six months of life with the introduction of solid foods around six months of age and continued breastfeeding for at least the first year. Breastfeeding optimizes the health and development of the infant and child as well as having many benefits for the Mother. For these reasons, Salem Pediatric Clinic provides breastfeeding support to their patient’s families.

Our specially trained Lactation Consultants use up to date medical information and a caring, personal approach to help Moms gain confidence and learn what to expect throughout their breastfeeding experience.

The Lactation Consultant:

• Gives breastfeeding support and education to Mothers and their families in a one on one setting
• Works with Mothers to prevent and manage breastfeeding problems
• Supports breastfeeding infants with special healthcare needs, such as prematurity
• Directs Mothers in finding breast pumps and equipment

Mothers who would specifically benefit from lactation support include:

• First time Mothers
• Infants born at 38 weeks gestation or less and/or a birth weight less than 6 pounds
• Painful nipples/difficulty latching baby to breast
• Complications during pregnancy and/or during labor/delivery
• Special feeding plan in place upon discharge from hospital
• Twins or other multiple births
• More than 7% weight loss from birth weight
• Infants who are below birth weight at 7-9 days of age and/or weight gain of less than 1-2 oz per day after day 4

To get the most benefit from your Lactation Appointment please consider the following:

• The appointment will last one full hour plus an evaluation of your baby by the Pediatrician
• Bring your baby hungry to the appointment (try not to feed within 2 hours of the appointment time)
• Bring a feeding log showing the number of feedings, wet diapers, stool diapers in the past 24 hours
• If you are supplementing, bring a bottle and expressed breast milk or formula

To schedule your lactation appointment call the clinic and schedule through your Pediatrician’s receptionist. The optimal time to be seen in lactation is within 24-48 hours after your discharge from the hospital.