Breastfeeding Consultation

Count on the board-certified lactation consultants and specially trained nurses at the Women's & Children's Hospital for education and support to breastfeed your newborn.

Breastfeeding Advocates

Count on us to help you reach your breastfeeding goals. As a Texas 10 Step and a Baby-Friendly facility, the Women's & Children's Hospital provides maternity care that encourages and supports breastfeeding.

We also promote the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that all infants should be breastfed for the first six months of life and continued for a year while introducing other foods. 

Breastfeeding Benefits

Your baby needs the proper nourishment from the start to grow strong and healthy. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition you can give your baby. Breastfeeding has many benefits for your newborn:

• Easier to digest than formula
• Prevents infections and strengthens the immune system
• Promotes brain development
• Lowers the risk of asthma and allergies
• Reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Breastfeeding is good for moms, too. It burns on average 600 calories a day while lowering your risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and diabetes. Breastfeeding also saves money in formula and health care costs.

Lactation Services

Benefit from services designed for new moms and moms-to-be:

• Bilingual international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs)
• Breastfeeding classes
• Donor breast milk program
• Individual consultations before and after birth
• Postpartum consultation after discharge
• Private nursing/pumping rooms at the Women's & Children's Hospital and Robert B. Green Campus
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) peer counselors at the Women's & Children's Hospital once a week for three hours to provide education on the benefits of breastfeeding. You may be eligible to receive a free breast pump.

Certified Lactation Consultants

You’ll appreciate breastfeeding education during pregnancy and bedside support after the birth of your baby from our international board-certified lactation consultants. A lactation consultant can provide you with breastfeeding assistance and information on topics such as:

• Positioning and latching
• Making sure your baby is getting enough milk
• Breastfeeding more than one baby
• Using a breast pump
• Breast milk storage guidelines
• Returning to work or school while continuing to breastfeed
• Providing breast milk for your baby in the NICU

Outpatient Breastfeeding Support

Set up outpatient lactation appointments if breastfeeding problems happen after you go home or if you want additional assistance. Call 210-358-8255 to set up an appointment.

Breast Pumps

If you have insurance coverage for a breast pump, your lactation consultant can help you get a pump.

Specially Trained Nurses

Trust our skilled, trained labor and delivery and mother/baby nurses at the Women's & Children's Hospital to answer your questions and concerns. Breastfeeding is a new skill for you and your baby that may take time and practice. Your nurse will provide breastfeeding support during your hospital stay.

Support for Moms & NICU Babies

If your newborn is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we will show you how to hand express your breast milk, provide you with a breast pump and teach you about the use of oral immune therapy for NICU babies.

Additional Breastfeeding Resources and Support

Find more help by visiting these resources online or contact them by phone.