Breastfeeding

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we proudly support breastfeeding as a healthy and beneficial choice for both babies and parents. Our certified lactation consultants are here to guide you through every step—from your first latch to navigating feeding challenges.

We also recognize that every family’s feeding journey is unique. Whether you choose to breastfeed, bottle feed, use donor milk, or a combination of methods, our team is here to support you with compassion and expert care.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

  • Mothers who breastfeed cherish the special closeness they have with their babies. Breastfeeding your baby helps you relax and can give you a unique feeling of love. Your baby will feel safe and loved, too.
  • Breastfeeding can help keep your baby healthy. Breastfeeding can help your baby resist to pneumonia, colds, ear infections and allergies. Your milk is easy to digest, so your baby won’t spit up as often and is less likely to get diarrhea or colic. Your breast milk helps your baby’s brain develop and may improve your baby’s IQ

  • You can keep breastfeeding after you return to work or school. Breastfeeding doesn’t have to “tie you down.” Many mothers go back to work or school and still breastfeed their babies. With a little practice, you can learn to hand express or pump your milk. Plan ahead by talking to your employer about where to pump and store your milk. Breastfeeding helps keep your baby well, so you won’t have to miss work as often. Many mothers say that breastfeeding helps them feel close to their baby even when they are away.

  • Breastfeeding can be good for you too! Breastfeeding may keep you from having heavy bleeding after childbirth. Some women may lose weight faster when they breastfeed. Breastfeeding may also protect you from certain breast and ovarian cancers.

A full tummy is a happy tummy, and you can expect support from your team at St. Elizabeth Healthcare however you choose to nourish your baby. Because of its many benefits, you can depend on us to offer support and guidance to successfully breastfeed every step of the way.

Learn More

For more information about the services available through The Family Birth Place, please call (859) 301-2229 (BABY).

How long should I breastfeed?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months with the addition of iron-rich foods thereafter and continuation of breastfeeding through the first year and/or as long as mutually desired.

Why go to breastfeeding class?

  • You will learn the importance of effective Latch and how to get it.
  • You will learn how to prevent and treat sore nipples.
  • You will find out how many times babies need to feed every day and how long feedings should last.
  • You will learn feeding cues and the importance of demand feeding and rooming-in.
  • You will learn how to tell if your baby is getting enough milk.
  • You will learn about breast pumps that work and those that don’t.
  • You will learn about the importance of support and the role of LaLeche League International.
  • You will meet a Lactation Consultant from the hospital and will have names and phone numbers to call for help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding

Signs your baby is feeding well include steady weight gain, regular wet and dirty diapers, and periods of active sucking followed by contentment. Your care team and lactation consultants check these milestones and support you before you go home. If you have questions or concerns, you can always call us at (859) 301-2631.

Mild tenderness can be normal while breastfeeding at first, but ongoing pain is not. Discomfort is often related to latch or positioning, and you can relieve most issues with early support. Our lactation consultants are available in the hospital and after discharge to help you breastfeed comfortably.

Most babies are ready to breastfeed within the first hour after birth. Your labor and delivery team will help place your baby skin-to-skin and support those early feeding cues.

You are not alone if you have trouble breastfeeding while in the hospital. Our lactation consultants are available every day to help with position changes, latch support, pumping guidance and feeding plans tailored to your needs. We also offer breastfeeding tips to help guide you.

Most parents can breastfeed or provide expressed milk even if their baby needs specialized care in the NICU. Our Level III NICU team supports pumping, storing milk and helping you establish breastfeeding when your baby is ready.

Many families use a combination of breastfeeding and expressed milk or formula. Your provider or lactation consultant can help you decide when to introduce a bottle and how to protect your milk supply if you choose mixed feeding.

Some moms begin pumping very soon after delivery — especially if the baby is in the NICU or needs supplementation. Others wait a few weeks. Your care team or lactation consultant can guide you based on your feeding goals.

Many insurance plans cover breast pumps, and our lactation consultants can help you understand your options, including electric pumps, manual pumps and hands-free styles. You’ll also learn how to clean and store pump parts safely.

Breastfeeding classes help you feel confident before your baby arrives. You’ll learn how to latch, how often to feed, how to prevent soreness, how to tell if your baby is getting enough and when to seek help. Breastfeeding classes also introduce you to the lactation consultants who can support you after delivery.

Your breastfeeding journey continues long after your hospital stay, and so does our support. Our lactation consultants can help with latch, positioning, pumping and any questions that come up at home. To schedule an appointment at our lactation office, call (859) 301-2631.

Many moms continue breastfeeding by pumping and storing milk if they return to work or school. We can help you create a plan, talk through pumping schedules and prepare for your transition back to work.

If you need support after you leave the hospital, you can call (859) 301-2631 to speak with one of our lactation consultants or schedule an appointment for in-person support. We’re here to help you navigate feeding challenges and feel confident in your breastfeeding journey.


Explore the Family Birth Place!

Take a virtual tour and see what to expect before you deliver your bundle of joy.