[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/07\/breastfeeding-resources\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/07\/breastfeeding-resources\/","headline":"Breastfeeding Resources: How to Get the Help You Need","name":"Breastfeeding Resources: How to Get the Help You Need","description":"Breastfeeding is healthy for babies and moms. But nursing can be a challenge, especially at first. Read on for information about UPMC breastfeeding resources.","datePublished":"2022-07-26","dateModified":"2023-07-24","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/GettyImages-1326638539.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/GettyImages-1326638539.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/07\/breastfeeding-resources\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Pregnancy and Childbirth"],"wordCount":870,"articleBody":"Doctors agree: Breast is best. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months. They recommend continued breastfeeding supplemented with solid foods until a baby is 2 years old and beyond. And if you need help breastfeeding, resources are available.Why Breastfeed?Breastfeeding is healthy for babies and moms. Breast milk provides the perfect combination of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and other nutrients your baby needs to grow.It\u2019s also convenient and inexpensive and helps your baby stay healthy. Breast milk may protect your baby from some diseases.Moms who breastfeed recover from labor and delivery faster. Breastfeeding may lower your risk for some diseases, such as breast cancer. And it\u2019s the optimum skin-to-skin way to bond with your baby.But breastfeeding can be a challenge to some new mothers. It can be especially difficult if you don\u2019t have support from family and friends. They may not have breastfed their babies and don\u2019t have advice to share.Plenty of breastfeeding resources are available to new moms at UPMC. All UPMC labor and delivery hospitals have lactation services available.The UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Lactation Center is one of the leading breastfeeding resources in Pittsburgh. In addition, UPMC Magee-Womens has lactation services available in central Pennsylvania,\u00a0north central Pennsylvania, and northwest Pennsylvania.Breastfeeding Resources at UPMC Magee-Womens Lactation Centers According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women\u2019s early experiences with breastfeeding are important. Those first few days can affect whether and how long they keep breastfeeding. Without support, many women become discouraged and choose a different method for feeding.UPMC Magee\u00a0offers phone, virtual, and outpatient breastfeeding resources and lactation services. They are available to any mother, whether she delivered at UPMC Magee or another facility. Virtual appointments are available from anywhere in Pennsylvania.Here are some of the breastfeeding resources we offer:International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs)Each year, more than 25,000 babies are delivered at UPMC Magee locations, with 10,000 of them born at UPMC Magee in Pittsburgh. Our\u00a0lactation experts\u00a0have years of experience teaching, counseling, and problem-solving for new moms.A lactation consultant is a trained professional who specializes in breastfeeding. They earn certification through the\u00a0International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants\u00a0and work in conjunction with doctors and nurses. The consultants work with new moms to answer questions, address concerns, and help tackle any breastfeeding issues.Prenatal classesFor moms-to-be, it\u2019s important to understand what breastfeeding entails and that even though it\u2019s \u201cnatural,\u201d it can still be difficult. UPMC Magee offers both online and in-person classes to help support moms who are choosing to breastfeed even before they give birth. \u00a0Our prenatal breastfeeding classes and consultations offer:Education for moms expecting multiple babies, who may face unique challenges to breastfeeding.Nipple assessments.Support for moms who had trouble breastfeeding a previous child.Tips for moms who will be exclusively pumping and bottle feeding.Postpartum consultationsThe first few days are critical to successful breastfeeding. When your baby is born, simply let your nurse know you would like a lactation consult. We offer consultations for:Problems positioning your baby.Problems with your baby latching onto your nipple.Returning to work and successfully breastfeeding.Sore nipples.The challenges of nursing multiples.Transitioning a premature infant from a feeding tube or bottle to a breast.Worries about your baby not gaining enough weight.Worries about your milk supply.A full-service retail centerFor moms who deliver in Pittsburgh, the Magee Lactation Center offers a full range of breastfeeding supplies and accessories. They include:Breastfeeding aids (such as nipple shields).Breastfeeding and parenting books.Breast pump rentals.Breast pump sales.Maternity and nursing bras.Nursing pillows and stools.Professional assistance with selecting the correct breast pump for your needs.Other Breastfeeding ResourcesIf you\u2019re having trouble breastfeeding or simply have questions, there are more breastfeeding resources to turn to. Some are:Your pediatrician. Your baby\u2019s doctor is a trusted source of information about breastfeeding. If they can\u2019t answer your questions, they can refer you to someone who can.Your partner. When you receive\u00a0positive support from a partner, you\u2019re more likely to nurse your baby longer and have feelings of success. Talk to your partner about how important it is to have their support.La Leche League International is a nonprofit organization with branches all over the United States. Their goal is to help mothers breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education. They offer webinars and a Facebook support group, as well as local leaders and groups.WIC Breastfeeding Support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers peer support and the WIC Buddy Program for breastfeeding for WIC recipients. Find out if you\u2019re\u00a0eligible.When breastfeeding feels challenging, remember you\u2019re not alone. A supportive friend or professional can help you over the rough spots. You and your baby will be nursing pros before you know it.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 26, 2022, and was last reviewed on July 24, 2023.SourcesOffice on Women's Health, Breastfeeding Resources, LinkCDC, Breastfeeding, LinkUPMC Health Library, Breastfeeding, LinkLa Leche League International, Resources, LinkU.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC Breastfeeding Support, Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Breastfeeding Resources: How to Get the Help You Need","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/07\/breastfeeding-resources\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]