Lactation Care

At MercyOne, we know your decision to breastfeed is personal. Our certified lactation experts are here to help you make an informed choice about your baby’s feeding, reach your breastfeeding goals and help your baby successfully breastfeed. They can assist with breastfeeding, milk supply, sore nipples, breastfeeding positions and more.

Breastfeeding classes – Learn the basics of breastfeeding and pumping including preparing for breastfeeding, what to expect, skills and advantages to breast milk.
Inpatient support – Our lactation consultants are available to help answer your breastfeeding questions, assess latching concerns, prepare a personalized feeding plan and more.
Consultations – We are here for you before, during and after your hospital stay. If you have questions or concerns, our lactation experts can meet with you one-on-one to help with breastfeeding challenges like positioning, latch concerns, milk supply, baby’s growth rate and partner support. Our lactation care team can also talk with you and your provider about supplementing, if needed.
Support groups – As an extra layer of care, MercyOne provides the opportunity for you to join a breastfeeding support group where you can connect with other parents. At group meetings, you can share common concerns and interests, such as returning to work and challenges that may bring to your breastfeeding routine. These support groups are facilitated by certified lactation consultants and breastfeeding educators.

Health benefits of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has health benefits for both you and your baby.

Benefits for baby

Lowers hospital admission rates.
Fewer ear infections, rashes and allergies, and lowers risk of diabetes, childhood obesity, asthma and SIDS.
Protects baby’s immune system with essential nutrients and antibodies.
Less gas, constipation and diarrhea.

Benefits for breastfeeding parent

Reduces your risk of developing osteoporosis, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and breast, ovarian and uterine cancers.
Decreases your chances of developing postpartum depression.
Increased production of oxytocin, helping contract uterus to pre-pregnancy size and decreases risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

Are you at risk for low milk supply?

Breastfeeding and milk production can be challenging in the first few weeks following birth. Some women are at higher risk for low milk supply. Meeting with a lactation expert prior to giving birth can help the mom-to-be best prepare for this possibility, gaining knowledge and tips on how to meet breastfeeding goals.

Women who may be at risk include those who have:

PCOS.
Had difficulty becoming pregnant.
Diabetes.
A thyroid disease.
An autoimmune disorder.

Click here to take the quiz

Donor breast milk

MercyOne Clinton Birth Center, MercyOne Dubuque Birth Center and MercyOne Waterloo Birth Center are approved breastmilk dispensaries. They stock healthy, pasteurized donor milk available for purchase for any parent/guardian who needs it in the community, even if you delivered your baby at another medical center. To receive donor milk, you need a prescription from your doctor. The cost is $15 per bottle. Please call to check on availability, and for pick-up times.

In addition to dispensing breast milk, our birth centers receive breast milk donations. Learn how to become a milk donor with Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa.

Become a milk donor

As you consider your choices, feel confident knowing we’re here for you, whether you choose to feed your baby breast milk, formula or a combination of the two.

Lactation Care

Health benefits of breastfeeding

Are you at risk for low milk supply?

Donor breast milk

Breastfeeding and Lactation Support

MercyOne Clinton Birth Center

MercyOne Clinton OB/GYN

MercyOne Des Moines Birth Center