MercyOne West Des Moines Lactation Consultants

If you choose to breastfeed your baby after delivering at MercyOne West Des Moines, lactation and breastfeeding support will be available to you. While some mothers exclusively nurse, others may combine nursing with breast pumping or opt to exclusively pump to provide their baby with breast milk.

Our nursing staff is specially trained to offer outstanding support and guidance to new moms and their babies. MercyOne Mother-Baby nurses complete annual breastfeeding education, and new nurses receive eight hours of specialized lactation training from a certified lactation consultant

Some mothers and babies may require additional help when beginning their breastfeeding journey. For these situations, we offer support from International Board-Certified Lactation Consultations (IBCLCs) and Lactation Counselors throughout your hospital stay. These professionals are equipped to address a range of lactation needs, including assistance with latching, using a breast pump, managing complex breastfeeding situations or establishing milk supply for babies in the NICU.

Prenatal education

We encourage you to attend a Breastfeeding Essentials and Pumping Essentials class in your second or third trimester.  

Breastfeeding Essentials covers the many benefits of breastfeeding, how to properly latch your baby, various feeding positions and other helpful tips. Pumping Essentials explores how and where to obtain a breast pump, how to use it effectively based on your needs, storage recommendations and a range of other practical topics to support your breastfeeding journey.

Partners are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Call 515-643-MOMS or visit our events page for more information and to register.

Preparing to use a breast pump

We recommend obtaining your breast pump before your delivery and bringing it with you to the hospital. Our lactation team will assist you in learning how to use your pump and will ensure you are fitted with the correct flange size for optimal comfort and milk expression.

If you're unable to get a pump through your insurance before delivery, we can help. Just let your nurse or a lactation consultant know you're interested in receiving a pump through insurance. One will be delivered to your room, and after signing a form, our lactation team will handle the insurance billing process. For more information, contact your insurance provider directly.

You may also choose to get a breast pump from a MercyOne outpatient pharmacy. To learn more, call 515-643-4229.

During your stay  

We encourage new mothers to practice skin-to-skin contact shortly after delivery and to begin breastfeeding within the first 1 to 2 hours after birth. Skin-to-skin time not only supports early feeding and milk production but also strengthens the bond between you and your baby during your hospital stay.

Our goal is to ensure that every patient who wishes to meet with a lactation consultant has the opportunity to do so. If you didn’t obtain a breast pump prior to delivery, our lactation consultants can provide one for you to use during your stay with us.

After you discharge

After returning home, you may find you need additional support with breastfeeding or pumping. Outpatient lactation consultations are available and typically billed through insurance. These private, one-on-one sessions with a certified lactation consultant provide personalized guidance. To schedule an appointment, please call MercyOne Lactation Services and leave a voicemail at 515-358-2082.

Our Mommy & Me Breastfeeding Support Group offers a welcoming space for moms and babies to receive assistance from our lactation staff. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m. at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, Level 2 of the East Tower. Follow the posted signs upon arrival. No registration is required.

MercyOne Lactation Services also offers breast pump rentals on a weekly or monthly basis. For pricing and availability, please call 515-358-2082.

All moms, whether you delivered at MercyOne or not, are welcome to schedule an office visit with our lactation experts or attend a support group.

Mother's Milk Bank of Iowa Collection Site

It has been established through decades of research that human milk is the perfect food for infants. The University of Iowa Children’s Hospital’s Mother's Milk Bank of Iowa–collects, stores, and distributes human milk to those who need it. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is proud to be a collection location in central Iowa. Women interested in becoming a human milk bank donor should contact the Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa at 515-358-2082. 

Donors already approved by the Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa may deliver donations between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. to:

Level 3, East Tower 
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center 
1111 6th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50314