Lactation
Specialties
Lactation Services
No matter what your feeding choice may be for your baby, Complete Children’s Health is here to support you and help your infant receive the nutrition they need to grow and develop. If you are considering breastfeeding or would like to explore what feeding practice is best for you, we are here to help not only after your infant arrives, but beforehand as well as in the months ahead.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6-months of age,
with continued breastfeeding or offering expressed breastmilk for a full year. Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for mother and child, both immediate and long term.
Breastmilk contains everything that an infant needs. Colostrum, the first form of milk, is nutrient dense and high in antibodies and antioxidants to help build the immune system and protect from illness. Breastmilk has been linked to a reduction in common respiratory and gut infections, allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema, diabetes, childhood leukemia, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
For mothers, breastfeeding can reduce the risk for cancer and several diseases.
Research has shown protection from breast and ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease, and even Type 2 diabetes. In addition, breastfeeding can improve a mother’s mood and mental health.
At Complete Children’s Health we offer lactation guidance for our families. Jen Genthe, a Nurse Practitioner and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Annie Hubka, a Nurse Practitioner and Certified Lactation Counselor, provide a wide variety of services to help new mothers and their babies get every benefit from providing mother’s milk, either by breastfeeding or pumping and feeding. Services include but are not limited to assistance with latch, troubleshooting feeding difficulties, assessing for and treating tongue ties, fitting for correct pumping equipment or nipple shield use, and helping to create feeding plans that meet the personal needs of each nursing dyad.
Lactation Evals
Lactation evaluation takes place with our Lactation Consultants to help troubleshoot any latch difficulties, trauma to mother’s nipples, or supply concerns. Pumping is also addressed as well as supplementation use when necessary to assist with growth. Helping mothers to determine the best feeding plan for themselves and their infant is the goal. Each dyad is unique and warrants time and attention to their specific needs and goals.
Weight Checks
Initial weight checks allow an opportunity to assess overall health including feeding patterns, weight percentiles, and jaundice. Between regular visits with your provider, Complete Children’s Health also offers Self Weighing Stations. Scales are available at each office to check on infant’s weight between scheduled visits. This can be done at your convenience or as instructed by your provider if infant’s weight is being closely monitored. No appointment is necessary and stations are at all offices (South location on weekends).
Working Moms
When returning to work, mothers often have questions regarding pumping to provide infant’s caloric needs or with transitioning to bottle use. Stress can peak at this time and mothers can reach out with questions or concerns as needed.