Life With Baby

Lactation and Breastfeeding Support

Helping promote and support breastfeeding

Legacy Health supports breastfeeding moms both in the hospital and after families return home. Our lactation services provide consultation, classes and groups for continued support of breastfeeding.

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1991 to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding.

The heart of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as a worldwide plan to improve breastfeeding rates.

Our promise to you. We will:

  1. Have hospital feeding practices that are known to everyone who takes care of you and your baby.
  2. Train health care staff to help you learn to breastfeed your baby.
  3. Tell you and all pregnant women about the benefits of breastfeeding and how to breastfeed.
  4. Help you start feeding within one hour of birth.
  5. Show you how to protect your milk supply even if you have to be away from your baby.
  6. Give your baby no food other than breast milk unless there is a medical reason.
  7. Keep you and your baby together while you are in the hospital.
  8. Support you to feed your baby whenever your baby wants to eat.
  9. Keep pacifiers away so your baby learns to breastfeed first.
  10. Make sure you know where to get help with feeding your baby once you are home.

We also promise to follow the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. We will do this by refusing to accept supplies of breast milk substitutes and feeding supplies at no cost or below fair market cost, by protecting new parents from influence of vendors of such items, by practicing in accordance with its vendor policy, and by educating staff members about the Code and its role in ethical health care practice.

Lactation services offer breastfeeding help

Breastfeeding is a natural process but doesn't always come naturally. Our certified lactation specialists and specialized nursing staff are happy to help you with both routine and challenging breastfeeding situations. We work in cooperation with your physician or midwife to give you the best possible mother/infant care.

We provide breastfeeding support at all of the Legacy hospitals, including outpatient visits with you and your baby after you have gone home from the hospital. Our experienced International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) are trained to help you with all your breastfeeding needs.

Our services

  • Prenatal breastfeeding classes
  • Visits in the hospital after the birth of your baby
  • Support for families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric units
  • Visits with you and your new family to help you with breastfeeding after you are home
  • Baby and Me Support Groups for families with infants during the first year
  • Phone support throughout your breastfeeding experience
  • Hospital-grade electric breast pump rental program
  • Oregon WIC and Washington State Sea Mar hospital-grade pump loan program partners
  • Local drop-off sites for breast milk donation to Northwest Mother’s Milk Bank

Private consultations

A private breastfeeding consultation provides:

  • Breastfeeding history and evaluation
  • Education and special instructions to ensure successful lactation
  • Solutions to common problems such as engorgement, soreness, low milk supply, reluctant baby or the slow weight-gaining baby
  • Assistance to mothers with special issues such as breast surgery, multiple births or hospitalized babies
  • Ongoing communication with your health care provider

For more information

  • Portland metropolitan area: 503-413-4840
  • Mid-Willamette Valley: 503-873-1680
  • Vancouver: 360-487-5840