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Lactation Services

For expecting and new mothers who choose to breastfeed, UPMC Hamot has a board-certified lactation consultant and breastfeeding counselors to provide breastfeeding education and support as well as guidance in purchasing top-quality equipment.

After returning home, new questions and concerns about breastfeeding often arise, including:
• Soreness
• Milk supply
• Infant weight gain
• Returning to work

It is shown that mothers who receive ongoing lactation guidance can commonly breastfeed for longer periods. UPMC Hamot offers new mothers lactation support following hospital discharge, through either one-on-one appointments, support group meetings, or hotline support.

Outpatient lactation appointments can be set up in three different ways.
• Call your physician or midwife for a referral.
• Call our lactation consultant or counselors directly.
• Call COPS (Centralized OutPatient Scheduling) at 814-877-6123.

There is a flat-fee of $25 for outpatient lactation appointments. Some health insurance policies cover the cost of these consultations. Please check with your provider if you have questions about your coverage.

Support group meetings are also available every first Thursday of the month for women who are breastfeeding. These meetings are held in the Lincoln Education Center located on the first floor of the UPMC Hamot Women’s Hospital from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The UPMC Hamot Early Days Breastfeeding Program provides assistance to new mothers who have babies who are under three weeks old. This group meets the third Friday of every month at 10:00 a.m. in the Lincoln Education Center.  In the Early Days program, the consultants review latching – which is key to successful breastfeeding – weigh your baby, and go over simple tips to encourage a positive breastfeeding experience.  

We also offer, Calm Lines, a 24/7 hotline support to new mothers who need quick answers or helpful suggestions. Please call 814-877-6722 during the day and 814-877-8400 in the evening and overnight.

To schedule an appointment or for additional information about UPMC Hamot breast pump rentals, please call the UPMC Hamot Lactation Office at 814-877-6722.

To purchase breast pumps, lactation apparel and other breastfeeding supplies, stop in to Cherish Boutique on the first floor of the Women’s Hospital. 

Educational Breastfeeding Links:
Plugged Milk Ducts
Milk Expression Techniques
 

Breastfeeding Tips

Exclusive Pumping and not Getting Enough Milk?

So you sit down to do your normal “pumping session” to express breast milk for your baby and you notice a fairly drastic decrease in the amount you can pump. What do you do? The first instinct for some moms is to panic, but actually an occasional fluctuation in amounts obtained by a breast pump is common.

For moms that are doing mostly breastfeeding and some pumping, the baby usually can and does “drive” the milk supply. Babies are much better at taking milk from the breasts than pumps are. But for moms that are exclusively pumping, the mom is driving the supply and this can be tricky. If you notice a decrease in amounts that you can pump, ask yourself a few questions, before you make a decision to stop.

1.      How old is your baby? It is normal after the first few weeks for your milk to decrease.  This is your body’s way of regulating the milk supply. 

2.      Is your baby going through a growth spurt? If so try to pump more often. This will increase your supply to meet the needs of baby.

3.      Has your menstrual cycle returned? Calcium/Magnesium supplements may be helpful to sustain your supply during different times of your cycle.

4.      Have you decreased the amount of times that you are pumping in 24 hours? Try going back to the amount of times that you pumped when baby was first born.  For many moms, pumping at least 8-9 times is necessary for a full milk supply.

5.      Medication/hormones can affect supply. It is best to check with doctors AND lactation consultants before starting new meds/hormones/supplements.

For questions or more information on milk supply issues, please contact our lactation office at 814-877-6722.