The Lactation Center at Memorial Hospital West
The Lactation Center is available to serve your nursing needs from the first moment of your pregnancy through your stay in the hospital - and throughout your baby’s first year of life and beyond. We are staffed with International Board Certified Lactation Consultants as well as other trained staff to meet your needs.
The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous. Breast milk is simply the perfect nutrition for a baby. Breastfed babies have fewer childhood illnesses, ear infections and allergies, and breast milk benefits the baby's immune system. Higher IQ levels have even been found in breastfed babies. It is convenient, since milk is always available at the right temperature and there are no bottles to clean.
Perhaps an even greater benefit is the close bond formed between mother and baby while breastfeeding. Mother and baby relax together. For the mother, breastfeeding offers many advantages such as reduced risks for breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Following delivery, breastfeeding aids in returning the mother's system to pre-pregnancy condition. Studies have shown that the longer reastfeeding continues, the better for both mother and baby.
Classes and Support Groups
Breastfeeding classes are available for mom and baby (dads and grandparents are welcome and encouraged to attend!). Register by calling (954) 844-7110, for Memorial Regional Hospital classes, please call (954) 985-5930.
If you have any questions or concerns about your upcoming breastfeeding experience, feel free to attend our support groups or call (954) 844-6880.
Your Stay in the Hospital
Based upon the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, we recommend that breastfeeding begin as soon as possible after the birth of your baby, preferably within the first hour of life.All of Memorial's nurses have attended special training taught by the lactation consultants and are able to assist you in getting you and your baby off to a good start with breastfeeding. The lactation consultants are available to assist you with any special needs.
Should your baby spend any time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, it is very important that the baby receive the milk that only you can provide. We encourage breastfeeding or providing expressed breast milk for your baby based on the baby’s readiness to feed.
After Discharge
For general questions and concerns, feel free to call the Lactation Center at any time. If you are experiencing minor difficulties and would like additional help, please call for an appointment with a lactation consultant (a fee applies for this service).
Nursing Moms Support Group at Memorial Hospital West We encourage you to join our Nursing Moms Support Group held at the Memorial Hospital West Fitness and Rehabilitation Center located on the east side of the hospital campus. A lactation consultant will be available to answer your questions and to facilitate the group.
Meetings are for all ages and are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 12:30 PM.
The Memorial Regional Hospital Nursing Moms Support Group meets at the Esther L. Grossman Women’s Health and Resource Center located on Sheridan Street.
Memorial Regional Hospital meetings are held on the:
- Fourth Wednesday of each month at 10:30 AM for all ages
- First Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM for all ages
For additional information on the Memorial Regional Hospital Nursing Moms Support Group, please call (954) 966-2611, ext 204.
Equipment and Supplies
Pump rentals and supplies are available in the Special Delivery Store located on the 3rd floor of the hospital. For more information, please call (954) 844-6845.
- The Family Birthplace
- Top 10 Reasons To Breastfeed Your Baby
- Women's Health and Services
- Pregnancy Health Center