OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Enhances Breastfeeding Support for New Moms

In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center is highlighting its extensive lactation services aimed at supporting mothers both before and after childbirth. The medical center’s dedicated team of certified experts provides personalized care, ensuring families feel confident and supported throughout their breastfeeding experiences.

Gwen Strum, a lactation consultant at OSF Saint Katharine in Dixon, stated, “We prioritize the postpartum phase of a woman’s childbirth experience just as much as her pregnancy, which includes lactation support.” Strum emphasizes that the assistance offered does not cease once the baby is born. “Whether a mom and baby are struggling, or a mama just wants reassurance that things are going OK, we provide close follow-up.”

This commitment to support has had a profound impact on mothers like Clara Haas, who shared her journey with OSF’s lactation consultant. “With the start of my lactation journey looking different than I had anticipated, anxiety began to overwhelm me,” Haas recounted. “With the consistent and dedicated help of OSF’s lactation consultant, we quickly came up with a personalized solution for stressful feedings. Breastfeeding is not one size fits all.”

Haas acknowledged the importance of tailored support that helped her feel more confident in her approach. “Looking back, I could not imagine my postpartum journey without Gwen’s commitment to making new moms feel equipped with all the knowledge and skills to do what is best for not only our babies, but ourselves.”

Lactation care at OSF Saint Katharine begins during pregnancy, featuring one-on-one prenatal consultations led by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). These sessions allow expectant mothers to ask questions, learn breastfeeding basics, and build confidence prior to delivery. Additionally, breastfeeding education classes, also taught by IBCLCs, provide more comprehensive instruction for both mothers and their support partners.

After delivery, mothers receive in-hospital lactation support along with a structured follow-up plan. Within two to five days post-discharge, a certified lactation counselor (CLC) visits the mother at home to offer further assistance. If required, additional support from an IBCLC is available at the OSF Saint Katharine outpatient lactation clinic.

For further information or to schedule a lactation consultation, interested parties can contact OSF Saint Katharine’s Women’s Health Services at 815-285-5427 or reach out to the outpatient lactation clinic at 815-285-5834. The hospital’s approach aims to empower mothers and ensure they have the resources needed for successful breastfeeding.