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.

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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.

You 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.

Are you at risk for low milk supply?

After the first few weeks following your baby’s birth, milk production and breastfeeding may be challenging, as some women have a higher risk for low milk supply. Prior to giving birth, meeting with a lactation expert can prepare you for this possibility and offer you more understanding and support around your breastfeeding goals. Ask the clinic staff about our Infant Feeding Education sessions to meet with our IBCLC prenatally in the OB or Family Residency Clinics to discuss your feeding goals.

Women who may be at risk include those who have:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Challenges with conceiving.
• Diabetes.
• Thyroid disease.
• Autoimmune disorder.
• Previous breast surgery.

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Become a Milk Donor

MercyOne North Iowa Birth Center receives breast milk donations. Learn how to become a milk donor with Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa.

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