Breastfeeding Support

One of the best things that only you can do for your baby is to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is more than a lifestyle choice—it is an important health choice that brings a wide range of benefits to both you and your baby. At St. Jude Medical Center, we specialize in helping new moms gain the skills and confidence to be successful.

The first hour after birth is often an ideal time to begin breastfeeding and bonding with your baby. Our highly trained and experienced staff will be there to guide you, answer your questions, and help make your early efforts successful.

During your hospital stay, our caring lactation experts will continue to offer help and support. We also work closely with moms whose babies are in the NICU to help eliminate any barriers and ensure their success in breastfeeding.

After You've Left the Hospital

We continue to offer the support and help you need—even after you've gone home. Two to four days after discharge, new moms will be given an appointment at the St. Jude Mother Baby Wellness Center. This appointment is a continuation of the services offered to moms who deliver at St. Jude Medical Center and is completely free of charge. During this appointment, a certified lactation consultant will spend 45 minutes helping you with the entire range of breastfeeding questions and issues. From learning correct technique to getting help with a specific problem, the Mother Baby Wellness Center is an invaluable resource for moms committed to offering their babies the health benefits of breastfeeding.

New moms can get help and advice when they need it—by calling the Mother Baby Wellness Center at (714) 446-7226, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. "It is very reassuring for parents to have someone they can call, who understands what they're going through and can offer accurate information and advice," explains Fran Buche, RN, IBCLC, Supervisor of Community Programs, Women and Children's Services.

For questions that come up on evenings or weekends when the Mother Baby Wellness Center is closed, parents can call the St. Jude Nurse Advice Line at (800) 870-7537 and get help or advice from one of the specially trained registered nurses.

Shopping Made Easy

Shopping with a newborn can be challenging. To make getting breastfeeding supplies more convenient, the Mother Baby Wellness Center sells many of the items you need to successfully breastfeed, including:

• nursing bras
• breastfeeding pillows
• Medela hospital grade breast pumps available for rent
• Medela personal use breast pumps available for purchase
• nursing pads, breast care products, and containers for pumping and storage
• books and DVDs on parenting, breastfeeding and infant care

Located at 1901 Sunnycrest Drive, Fullerton, the Mother Baby Wellness Center is open 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call (714) 446-7226.