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Overview

We are here to support you on your breastfeeding journey. We recognize that every family’s journey is different and unique. We are committed to helping you meet your personal goals, while creating a rewarding and positive experience for both you and your baby. Our team provides support and resources to individuals who want to breastfeed/chestfeed that includes education before and after the baby is born. We also support gestational carriers, induced lactation and the LGBTQ community.

After you give birth and before you leave the hospital, our specially trained maternity nurses provide hands-on teaching. Certified lactation consultants are available when breastfeeding issues occur, such as latching difficulties, pain and low milk supply.

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Lactation Resources

In-Person and Online Classes

Choose from multiple online and in-person classes that cover the basics of lactation, including proper latch-on, infant feeding cues, positioning and how to establish a good milk supply.

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Breastfeeding Support Group

We offer a free, weekly support group for nursing individuals led by Jessica Maksim, RNC, IBCLC. Join other nursing individuals to share experiences and support each other through the breastfeeding process.

Register online

Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Program

L+M offers families the option to use pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM), for their newborns in the hospital. PDHM is used to supplement breastmilk that is not sufficiently available to newborns after delivery. Families are also able to purchase frozen donor milk to bring home to bridge the gap until their milk comes in.

Reasons PDHM may be recommended:

  • Not enough milk is being produced (delayed lactogenesis)
  • Baby is experiencing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Baby is small for gestational age and/or has weight loss greater than 10%
  • Birthing person and newborn are separated
  • Baby is born early or late pre-term
  • Baby develops jaundice

Benefits of human milk for babies:

  • Enhanced immunity (the ability to fight off infections)
  • Protection against allergies and perhaps certain diseases such as diabetes and obesity later in life
  • Easier digestion compared to formula

It is recommended that individuals who have given birth continue to pump or hand express milk each time their baby receives a PDHM feeding.

The PDHM used by L+M is obtained from Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, which follows strict screening, processing and dispensing guidelines established by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, and the blood and tissue banking industries.

Safety steps for screening potential donors include:

  • Oral and written medical and lifestyle history
  • Physician confirmation of donor’s health
  • Blood tests to detect HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B and C and syphilis
  • Prescription, over-the-counter, herbal and mega-dose vitamins are reasons to eliminate a donor

If you have further questions, please contact your doctor, nurse or lactation specialist.

Lactation Help At Home

You may have additional concerns about breastfeeding when you get home. We encourage you to make an appointment with a lactation consultant by calling: 860-442-0711, ext. 2124.

Yale School of Medicine

Yale New Haven Health is proud to be affiliated with the prestigious Yale University and its highly ranked Yale School of Medicine.