The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants receive only human milk for the first six months of life with the introduction of family foods around six months of age and continued breastfeeding for at least the first year. For this reason, Carolinas HealthCare System provides breastfeeding support including clinical lactation therapy at several locations. These services are open to any nursing mother in the community.

The up-to-date medical information and a caring, personal approach to help nursing moms gain confidence and learn what to expect when they nurse. Lactation consultants encourage active involvement of supporting family members and friends, who can help make breastfeeding easier and more beneficial for both mom and baby. The services offered include:

• Outpatient clinic appointments for feeding difficulties or special needs
• Prenatal breastfeeding appointments
• Breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies
• Baby weight checks
• Back-to-work appointments
• Telephone Helplines for convenient support
• Professional education in breastfeeding and lactation

In addition to providing outpatient appointments in the following lactation centers, lactation consultants are also available to help new mothers while they are still in one of Carolinas HealthCare's hospitals.

Carolinas Medical Center's Outpatient Lactation Center
The Outpatient Lactation Center at Carolinas Medical Center offers comprehensive breastfeeding assistance in a comfortable and supportive environment. An International board-certified Lactation Consultant is available to discuss your breastfeeding questions and your baby's needs.

You can also browse through The Milky Way, a boutique for breastfeeding accessories and breast pump rentals and sales. The Milky Way is conveniently located next to our Outpatient Lactation Center in Morehead Medical Plaza on the campus of Carolinas Medical Center.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 704-355-6547.

Carolinas Lactation Center at Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville
Carolinas Lactation Center at Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville in Pineville, NC, has been serving Charlotte-area breastfeeding families since 1992 and is located at Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville Medical Park. This center serves Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville, Carolinas Medical Center-University and Carolinas Medical Center in addition to anyone in the area seeking breastfeeding assistance. Staff members are international board-certified lactation consultants.

Support group meetings and classes are open to the community for all expectant and breastfeeding mothers. It is not necessary to deliver your baby at Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville to attend meetings. Meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and are free of charge. These meetings will focus on issues raised by the group -- your concerns and interests. Topics of discussion may include:

• Feeding frequency
• Weight gain
• Nighttime parenting
• Returning to work
• Travel with baby
• Siblings
• Difficulties
• Unsupportive family or friends
• Weaning
• Starting solids

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 704-541-2943. Breastfeeding classes are also available, taught by board-certified lactation consultants through Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville's Maternity Education Department. For class information and registration, call the BabyLine at 704-341-2500.

Carolinas Medical Center-Union Lactation Center
CMC-Union Lactation Center serves those who live in or around Union County. CMC-Union Lactation Center's facility is located near Carolinas Medical Center-Union in Monroe, NC. Staff members are international board-certified lactation consultants.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 704-225-2890.

CMC-Union Lactation Center provides a variety of support groups and classes, such as:

• Breastfeeding mothers support group
• Breastfeeding basics
• Breastfeeding and busy schedules - pumps, collection and storage