Family Birth Place

Breastfeeding Center

The Breastfeeding Center has experts that can help mother's with both routine and challenging breastfeeding situations. The Breastfeeding Center is located on the 2nd floor in the Family Birth Place at Adventist Medical Center.

To speak with an IBCLC certified Lactation Consultant or to make an appointment, please call 503-251-6262.

Human Milk Donation

Adventist Medical Center's Family Birth Place has opened Portland's first human milk donation center. The depot, which is only the second in the Pacific Northwest, encourages and collects human milk donations for medically fragile infants and children.

A mother's own milk is almost always the best source of nourishment for her baby, yet there are some situations where it is either not possible for a mother to breastfeed or to produce enough milk for her child.

Becoming a Breast Milk Donor

Located in Adventist Medical Center's Family Birth Place at 10123 SE Market St., Portland, Ore., the donor depot is open Monday through Friday by appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Women interested in becoming milk donors are encouraged to contact Adventist Medical Center's donor depot at 503-251-MAMA, or to visit NWMMB's web site at www.nwmmb.org.

Inpatient Services

• Inpatient consult taught by IBCLC
• Inpatient assessment/evaluation of the mother-baby and latch assist services provided
• Medical history documented and patient questions and concerns addressed
• Pump instruction and set-up for moms who need to express milk in the hospital
• All patients are guaranteed one visit from a lactation consultant to provide the above services

Outpatient Services

Consultations are private and last 30-90 minutes. Mothers may invite their husbands or a support person to attend appointments. Different types of visits are offered and descriptions are below:

Prenatal Consultations

A private appointment prior to baby's birth will help mothers understand the breastfeeding process. It will also prepare mothers for a successful breastfeeding relationship, and address any potential concerns and/or problems before they occur.

Breastfeeding Consultation for Mom and Newborn

• Weight checks - before and after breastfeeding weight evaluation to measure appropriateness of intake and weight gain.
• Feeding evaluation to assure babies feeding behavior and feeding pattern at the breast is healthy and appropriate for the infants' age.
• Exam given for the mother to ensure that sore nipples and/or nipple damage has not occurred. Treatment plan given for sore nipple management if appropriate.
• Other concerns addressed such as engorgement, sleep, and emotional state of the mother noted and addressed if needed.
• Opportunity to ask questions and receive continued support after leaving the hospital.
• Assist in planning and preparation for moms that are preparing to go back to work.
• Assessment of both mom and baby are completed.
• Follow-up check to assess jaundice in the newborn also may occur is needed. If there are any concerns about jaundice, the Pediatrician is called and a doctor's order for a complete bili test may follow.

Lactation consultants work closely with physicians during this time and communicate with the physician about the breastfeeding consult to come up with the most appropriate plan for each mom/infant.

Follow-up Visits

These visits are appropriate for moms who have been seen for a breastfeeding challenges and need follow-up.

Urgent Consults

Consultations are available throughout all stages of breastfeeding. Common concerns include slow weight gain, low milk supply, overactive let down, jaundice, breast infections, engorgement, recurrent pain during feeds, and returning to work.

Weight Checks

Mom/baby have come for a previous consult for evaluation and now just need weight checks to insure baby continues to gain weight. These should take less than 20 minutes and the weights are faxed to the pediatrician's office.

Adoption and Inducing Lactation

Mothers who desire to induce lactation in preparation to breastfeed their adopted infants will find preparation advice and counseling throughout this process during this consult.

To speak with our lactation staff, please call 503-251-6262. To make an appointment to see one of our IBCLC certified lactation consultants, please call 503-251-6137.