Tiffany, Oliver & Brynn Huffman

“The decision to breastfeed is a personal one, and a mother should not feel guilty if she cannot or chooses not to breastfeed. Success rates for mothers who want to breastfeed can be greatly improved through the support of others.”

Lactation consultants provide breastfeeding support to new moms

Oliver Huffman didn’t take to breastfeeding as easily as his mom, Tiffany, 29 of Sartell, had hoped.

Oliver, who was born at 37 weeks, had trouble latching on and was jaundiced, which required extra medical care during his first few weeks of life. With the support of a lactation consultant, Tiffany persevered and breastfed Oliver for 16 months. Oliver is now 2 years old and thriving.

Tiffany faced new breastfeeding challenges when her daughter, Brynn, who was born in December, wasn’t gaining the desired weight after birth.

“The lactation consultants at St. Cloud Hospital and CentraCare Clinic were so helpful and supportive,” Tiffany said. “They were always reassuring and provided great advice.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics promotes breastfeeding, noting that it protects babies from infection and illness. Nursing babies also have a decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and asthma and are less likely to become obese.

The decision to breastfeed is a personal one, and a mother should not feel guilty if she cannot or chooses not to breastfeed. Success rates for mothers who want to breastfeed can be greatly improved through the support of others.

Many new moms stop breastfeeding because they lack knowledge and support, or are embarrassed.

“The first month can be challenging, but once you get past that point, it’s so much easier and rewarding,” Tiffany added. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

CentraCare Health offers lactation support at the following locations:

• CentraCare Clinic Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine offers lactation consulting as well as a monthly support group called The Lactation Club (TLC) for nursing moms and infants. The group meets from 12:30-1:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in the Kremers Room at CentraCare Health Plaza in St. Cloud. TLC is led by a certified lactation consultant and certified pediatric nurse practitioner. For more information or lactation support, call 320-654-3610, ext. 70268.
• CentraCare Health offers the “Successful Breastfeeding” class, designed for expectant and new parents interested in learning more about breastfeeding. Register for the class in St. Cloud or in Monticello.
• St. Cloud Hospital Breastfeeding Help Life offers lactation resources seven days a week. Help line hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. After hours: leave a message and calls will be returned within 24 hours. Call 320-251-2700, ext. 52311.
• CentraCare Health — Monticello offers 60-minute, one-on-one sessions with a certified lactation consultant. For more information or to schedule a session, call 763-271-2218.
• CentraCare Health — Long Prairie: Certified lactation consultants are available by phone or appointment for breastfeeding questions and problems for assistance in obtaining breast pumps. For more information, call 320-732-2131.
• CentraCare Health — Paynesville: Certified lactation consultants are available 24/7 by calling 320-243-3767.
• CentraCare Health — Melrose and Sauk Centre offer lactation support to new moms while they are hospitalized.
• Your health care provider is another resource for answering breastfeeding questions.