MercyOne North Iowa Breastfeeding and Lactation Care
MercyOne North Iowa Birth Center’s breastfeeding and lactation care team provide support to all breastfeeding parents across North Iowa.
We offer a variety of options to connect with our International Board-Certified Lactation consultant and our certified lactation counselors.
- Inpatient support. During your stay in our birth center, our IBCLC and lactation counselors will provide you with personalized care and answers to your breastfeeding questions, assess latching concerns, prepare a personalized feeding plan and more.
- Outpatient support. We are here for you even after you return home. Our lactation consultant can meet with you one-on-one to help with breastfeeding challenges like positioning, latch concerns, milk supply, check growth rate and partner support.
- Breastfeeding classes. Learn more about our free Breastfeeding Basics and Pumping classes.
- Breastfeeding support group. Connect with other parents who are navigating the challenges of new motherhood and breastfeeding by joining our breastfeeding support group.
IBCLC hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. / Wednesday 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Health benefits of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has health benefits for both you and your baby.
Your baby will benefit with:
- Lower hospital admission rate.
- Fewer ear infections, rashes, allergies, diabetes, childhood obesity, asthma and SIDS.
- Protection of immune system with essential nutrients and antibodies.
Mom will benefit with:
- Decreased risk of developing postpartum depression, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and breast and ovarian cancers.
- Increased production of oxytocin, helping contract uterus to pre-pregnancy size and decreases risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
MercyOne North Iowa Birth Center receives breast milk donations. Learn how to become a milk donor with Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa.
As you consider your choices, feel confident knowing we are here for you, whether you choose to feed your baby breast milk, formula or a combination of the two.
