Expert breastfeeding and lactation support in Minnesota and western Wisconsin

6000 Earle Brown Dr., Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Every Tuesday from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

4155 County Road 101 N., Plymouth, MN 55446
Every Wednesday from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

2001 Blaisdell Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404
Every Wednesday from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

2nd Floor
1515 Saint Francis Ave., Shakopee, MN 55379
Every Tuesday from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

6500 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55426 (Signs will direct you to the Lactation Café meeting room)
Every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

For updated information on the Café session dates and times, visit our Stillwater Baby Café group on Facebook, or email LVlactationconsultants@heatlhpartners.com.

• Everyday Miracles
• Amma Parenting
• Blooma
• birthED

• Global Health Media (breastfeeding videos)
• Infant Risk Center
• KellyMom.com
• La Leche League of Minnesota and the Dakotas
• Little Moments Count
• Melanated Mamas
• Minnesota Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
• Wisconsin Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization and most doctors recommend breastfeeding or producing your own milk if you can. That’s because there are many proven benefits of breastfeeding for baby and you. For example, your breast milk is designed to meet all your baby’s nutritional needs and can help provide specific immunities for many illnesses. When it comes to benefits for you, breastfeeding can help you form a close bond with your baby – plus reduce your risk of certain cancers.

Learning to breastfeed your baby takes some time and patience, so try not to be discouraged if things don’t feel natural right away. A common challenge early on can be getting your baby to latch correctly so they can feed efficiently and you’re not in pain. With the help of your doctor, midwife or lactation consultant, you and baby can learn the best positions and techniques that work for you to get a good latch consistently. Other issues your care team can help you with include blocked or clogged milk ducts, engorged breasts, breast and nipple changes, and more.

After your baby is born, the first food your body will begin to produce is called colostrum. Typically, colostrum is produced for about 2-5 days after birth. It contains antibodies and white blood cells that help your baby build a strong immune system. And it’s rich in nutrients that promote growth, making it the perfect food for a newborn.

While it may seem like you’re not producing much colostrum, it’s important to know that your baby’s stomach is only about the size of a peanut M&M when they’re born. So, they can only take little amounts at a time during those first few days.

But it’s also important to know that their tiny stomach needs to be filled up frequently – usually every 2-3 hours. And those frequent feedings – whether you’re nursing or pumping and feeding them by bottle – is what helps your body increase the amount of colostrum you’re producing and transition to more mature milk.

After about 3-4 days, mature milk starts to come in.

Signs that your baby isn’t getting enough breast milk include falling asleep at the breast, still appearing hungry after feeding, and not gaining enough weight. If you’re concerned that your baby isn’t gaining enough weight, it’s important to contact a doctor and seek help right away.

All of our hospitals and clinics offer breast pumps like models from Spectra or Medela for purchase. But your health insurance may cover all or nearly all of the costs. Just call your insurance provider to check your coverage.

Stick to a pumping schedule. Pumping on a schedule can help maximize your milk supply and prevent clogged ducts. Try to pump at the same times every day around the times baby eats.

Plan where you can pump and store milk at work. Under federal law, employers have to provide a private space for breastfeeding mothers to pump while at work. If you’re not sure where you’ll pump, ask your employer.

Plan to pump twice during a workday. Most breastfeeding moms pump every three to four hours. As you think about your work schedule, remember to block time to pump twice.

Practice pumping before going back to work. It feels different to pump than to nurse your baby. If you haven’t been regularly pumping as part of your feeding plan, practice so you can get used to it and know how much milk you’re likely to express during pumping. Freeze any unused breast milk.

Breastfeed when you’re at home. Whenever possible, skip the bottle when you’re near baby. This helps keep your milk supply stable and helps you bond with baby.

Ask for help. You’re not alone and you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Ask your friends and family for support as you transition back to work. They might help with childcare, household chores or meals.

We accept most health insurance plans, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, CIGNA, HealthPartners, Medica, Medicare, PreferredOne and many others. If you’re not sure what your insurance covers, call the number on the back of your card for help looking at your options.

Don’t have your card in front of you? Here are member services numbers to help you get started:

• HealthPartners: 800-883-2177
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota: 800-382-2000
• CIGNA: 800-244-6224 (insurance through work); 866-494-2111 (insurance directly or through the Exchange
• Medica: 800-952-3455
• Medicare: 800-633-4227
• PreferredOne: 763-847-4477 (in the Twin Cities); 800-997-1750 (outside the metro area)
• United Healthcare: 877-842-3210