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Lactation Services and Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding is natural, but it isn’t always easy. When challenges arise, Atrium Health can help. Our team of international board-certified lactation consultants provides specialized care to help you overcome obstacles, achieve your feeding goals, and feel empowered along the way.

Support starts the moment your baby is born. Every Atrium Health hospital has providers trained in breastfeeding, and some have earned Baby-Friendly designation for meeting the highest standards of breastfeeding care.

And our commitment doesn’t stop when you take your baby home. With lactation consultants available at locations across the Charlotte region, you’ll have access to guidance and encouragement throughout your feeding journey.

Schedule an appointment at a lactation center near you.

If you’re currently in an Atrium Health hospital after delivery, ask your care team about their lactation services.

Call 704-468-0121

What is a lactation consultant?

A lactation consultant is a nurse with extra training and expertise in supporting breastfeeding. They provide compassionate care from the early days of breastfeeding to starting solids and weaning. They counsel you whether you have an average experience or complex problems.

Our lactation services

You deserve complete breastfeeding support at every step. A few examples of our services include:

  • Support in the hospital: Breastfeeding support begins when your baby is born. To help with those early feeds, every Atrium Health hospital has nurses trained in breastfeeding care, and many also have lactation consultants on-site. They’ll provide hands-on guidance, answer questions, and connect you with additional resources and support after you go home.
  • Breastfeeding consultations: During a breastfeeding consultation, we’ll discuss your goals, observe a feeding and provide solutions to help you achieve feeding success. You can schedule a breastfeeding consultation after your baby is born or even as part of your prenatal care to help you prepare.
  • Breastfeeding classes: From how to maintain a good supply to proper ways to pump, our maternity centers offer classes to help you learn everything you need to know about breastfeeding.
  • Treatment for breastfeeding conditions: From cracked nipples to engorged breasts, we’re specially trained in preventing and treating common breastfeeding conditions.
  • Latch techniques: Breastfeeding may feel different, but it should never hurt. If it does, latch and positioning are often the cause. We’ll show you proper breastfeeding techniques to help you feel more comfortable.
  • Pumping guidance: Pumping is breastfeeding, too! Whether you’re returning to work or exclusively pumping, we’ll teach you how to get the most out of your machine.
  • Weaning guidance: When you and your baby are ready to wean, we’ll help make the process as smooth and easy as possible.
  • Assistance for support people: It takes the whole family to raise a child – and this includes breastfeeding. We can teach your support person how to create a stress-free environment for everyone.

Atrium Health Women’s Care also offers postpartum support groups led by a nurse practitioner or midwife. These groups give you the opportunity to talk with other new moms about breastfeeding, as well as recovery, mental health and more.

Breastfeeding conditions we treat

We provide care for a variety of breastfeeding conditions and challenges, including:

  • Low milk supply or oversupply
  • Latch challenges
  • Infant weight loss
  • Cracked nipples (nipple fissures)
  • Painful, tender breasts
  • Engorgement
  • Thrush
  • Mastitis
  • Tongue and lip tie
  • Cleft palate and lip
  • Feeding issues in premature and high-risk babies
  • Allergies and intolerances

In addition to the above, one of the main challenges we help breastfeeding patients face is self-doubt. We’re here to help you listen to and trust your body – and feel confident feeding your baby.

Lactation services: What to expect

We want your breastfeeding journey to be comfortable and positive. After leaving the hospital, you can continue receiving breastfeeding support from a lactation consultant. These visits are designed to be a relaxed, nonjudgmental time to learn the ins and outs of feeding your baby in a way that’s best for both of you.

Before your lactation services visit

Once you’re home from the hospital and settling into a routine, we recommend scheduling lactation visits between feedings so your baby is ready to eat.

You can prepare for your lactation visit by wearing something comfortable that makes it easy to breastfeed, like a nursing top or button-up shirt. Although your baby should be hungry, make sure you eat a balanced meal and drink lots of water before your appointment. You’ll need the nutrients and hydration to feed your baby. Lastly, don’t forget to bring your breast pump and any other breastfeeding tools you’re using or need help with.

During your lactation services visit

Lactation visits are designed to be flexible and can last up to 75 minutes. This gives us plenty of time to assess your latch and positioning, provide guidance, and answer any questions you have.

Your lactation consultant will want to learn about your feeding goals, as well as any medical history that might affect breastfeeding for you or your baby. We can also examine you and your baby to identify anything that might present an unexpected challenge.

Some visits will include a weight check, where we weigh your baby before and after a feeding. This gives us an idea of how much milk your baby is getting per feeding and helps us determine if they’re getting enough.

Finally, we’ll go over important topics, like what you should eat, how much and how often your baby should feed, and signs your baby is hungry and full. We can also look at your breast pump and any other breastfeeding tools you’re using to ensure they’re working as efficiently and effectively as possible.

After your lactation services visit

Our goal is for you to leave the lactation appointment feeling confident and empowered, no matter your feeding goals. We’ll make sure you have the information, resources and support you need to feed your baby between visits and after you return home.

Our lactation center locations

Every Atrium Health hospital offers breastfeeding support, either from lactation consultants or nurses specially trained in breastfeeding care. In addition, we offer outpatient lactation consultations by appointment at the locations below.

Pediatric and OB/GYN locations

Call 704-468-0121 to schedule an appointment at one of these locations:

Additional practice locations

To schedule an appointment at one of these locations, contact the practice location:

Hospital locations

In addition to the initial support when your baby is born, these locations offer lactation consultations by appointment after you’ve gone home:

Frequently asked questions

You should see a lactation consultant whenever you face a breastfeeding challenge you’re struggling to overcome. Some of the most common reasons patients see us are supply issues, difficulty latching, pain or discomfort, and concerns their baby isn’t getting enough milk. But we can also help you learn to use your pump, return to work and feel confident feeding your baby.

Absolutely! Your breastfeeding journey is unique to you and your baby. Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, combination feeding or pumping only, a lactation consultant can be an invaluable source of support.

Although it’s beneficial to see a lactation consultant at the start of your breastfeeding journey, there’s no right time or age to seek our support. Whether your baby is 2 days old or 2 years old, we’re here to help you navigate and overcome breastfeeding challenges. We even offer prenatal consultations and breastfeeding classes, which you can attend before your baby is born.

This is the “gold standard” for breastfeeding specialists. To be an international board-certified lactation consultant means you’ve completed years of rigorous learning, ongoing testing, and practice to provide clinical care for breastfeeding patients.

Although it’s best to check with your insurance provider, many policies do offer coverage for lactation consultations.

Visits can last a little over an hour (up to 75 minutes).

Bring your breast pump and any other breastfeeding supplies you’re using.

And most importantly, bring a hungry baby! Try to schedule lactation consultant appointments around your baby’s feeding schedule as best as you can. This ensures they’re hungry and ready to practice feeding.

Wear comfortable clothes that make it easy to nurse, like a nursing top or button-up shirt.

If you have a partner who’d like to join, they’re encouraged to come and learn how to best support you – just check the location’s visitor policy beforehand.

If you’re in the hospital after delivery, ask your hospital providers to connect you to on-site lactation services.

If you’ve seen us at a pediatric or OB/GYN office, you can call the office or send a message to your lactation consultant in MyAtriumHealth.

Mother holding infant child.

Breastfeeding 101: Tips for Facing Common Breastfeeding Concerns

Here are some of the most common breastfeeding concerns new parents have, with solutions to keep your baby (and yourself) happy and healthy.

Learn more

Meet our lactation consultants

Our international board-certified lactation consultants specialize in providing breastfeeding support, treating breastfeeding-related conditions, and making the experience positive for you and your baby.

Meet our team, and get to know each of our providers.

Additional breastfeeding resources and support

From online resources to local support groups, here are a few places to find breastfeeding help.

Support groups

Register for WIC

Access to proper nutrition is essential for breastfeeding moms and babies. If you need help feeding your family, see how to register for WIC:

Breastfeeding hotlines

National Breastfeeding Hotline
1-800-994-9962
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

La Leche League Breastfeeding Helpline
1-877-LALECHE (1-877-452-5324)
Available 24 hours

  • Breast pumps and insurance – Learn how to get your insurance-covered breast pump from:
    • Aeroflow – Identifies and ships motherhood essentials, including breast pumps, that are covered by your insurance
    • Edgepark – Works with 1,400+ insurance plans to help you get a breast pump at any point of pregnancy
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