Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Support and Education

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Helping You Get the Skills to Feel Comfortable Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Your Baby

Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Childbirth Center is committed to educating and supporting families with infant feeding. Services are provided by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.

To speak with a lactation specialist, call 413-582-2096.

Prenatal Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Education

Breastfeeding/chestfeeding education is part of the 5 week Basics of Childbirth Education and Relaxation for Birth Virtual Class (click here to register). One session will cover breastfeeding/chestfeeding education with a Lactation Specialist.  You will have opportunities to have questions answered.

You can also now take the breastfeeding/chestfeeding portion of the above class independently by signing up for The Fourth Trimester: Feeding and Caring for Your Infant (and Yourself).

Feel free to contact the lactation department before your baby is born with any questions you may have.

Outpatient Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Support

We offer support for you and your baby even after you are discharged from the hospital.  Many questions can be answered with a simple telephone call.  If further support is needed, we can schedule an appointment for a virtual or in-person visit and offer personalized, hands-on help.

Lactation specialists are available most days of the week. We are frequently out of the office working with families so leave us a message and we will return your call within 24 hours.

Please note, if you have a concern that is of an urgent nature, call your provider or family doctor.

Lactation can be reached at 413-582-2096.

The Lactation office is located on the first floor of the hospital across the hall from the Childbirth Center. View a photo of the entrance from the hallway.

Breast Pumps and Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Supplies

Call our office if you need assistance in renting a hospital grade breast pump. We do not rent pumps at Cooley Dickinson but can help connect you with appropriate services.

We can also offer support with where to purchase breastfeeding supplies in our community.

If you have not yet received your personal breast pump through insurance, the lactation specialists can help you with this while you are with us on the childbirth center.

The following pumps are typically available: *

Spectra S2Spectra 9Medela Pump In Style
with MaxFlow

If you have questions regarding the insurance pump, please call our office. If you are having technical trouble with your personal use pump, please contact the manufacturer through their website.

*Additional pump options may be available through your insurance for an upgrade fee.

Meet our Lactation Specialists

Lori Leistyna, IBCLC
Lisa Fitzgerald, OTR/L, IBCLCJudy Hatch, RN, MSN, IBCLC

Resources

The following are links to useful breastfeeding resources:

A Learning Experience

Every family will be given A New Beginning: A Guide for Postpartum And Newborn Care during their postpartum stay on the Childbirth Center. This book is a wonderful resource and includes several topics related to breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

Download the related app, CCI AR, through iTunes or Google play, for interactive learning once you receive the book.

Download the App for Apple/iPhone
Download the App for Apple/iPhone/iPad
Download the App for Google/Android
Download the App for Google/Android

Cooley Dickinson Hospital was named a Best Maternity Hospital 2022 by Newsweek magazine. This award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.