Bayhealth's Lactation Services are staffed by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) to provide the counseling and support you need to breastfeed your baby, including education on breastfeeding techniques, addressing concerns and helping with breastfeeding challenges.
Bayhealth is Baby-Friendly® Designated
Through a comprehensive and rigorous approval process, Bayhealth achieved Baby-Friendly® Designation through a global program launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Our team at Bayhealth meets the required criteria by providing excellence in infant nutrition services and educational training for improved infant feeding outcomes.
Bayhealth specialists provide an optimal level of care for newborn feeding and mother/baby bonding.
Classes and Support Groups
Bayhealth's lactation support classes are taught by an International Board Certified lactation consultant. Visit our Classes & Events page for upcoming classes.
Following the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
Every facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants should:
- Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all healthcare staff.
- Train all healthcare staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy.
- Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
- Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
- Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if they are separated from their infants. Give infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
- Practice rooming-in – allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
- Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
- Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
- Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or birth center.
Helpful Resources
- Delaware WIC Program - Lactation support and encouragement is available to all WIC eligible prenatal and breastfeeding mothers. The services are provided at all 11 WIC clinics in Delaware. This program also provides services in Spanish. Call 1-800-222-2189.
- La Leche League - Provides mother-to-mother breastfeeding support. Sussex County: Michelle, 302-542-0508 or michelle.mcintire@state.de.us; Kent County: Heather, 302-242-7668 or myeclecticlife@gmail.com.
- Breastfeeding Coalition of Delaware
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health