Breastfeeding Center

Expanded services include a Breastfeeding Boutique with supplies such as:

• Bra fittings & Nursing bras in all sizes
• Various baby carriers
• Cloth diapers
• Breast pumps, pump parts & rentals
• Nursing pillows, apparel & stools
• Natural lotions for moms and babies
• Gifts & toys

Having a new baby brings new experiences and feelings including joy, excitement, and nervousness. Mission Hospital's Breastfeeding Center staff understands these feelings. Our goal is to provide you with education, guidance and support during this time of learning for both you and your baby.

Our all-female staff includes RNs and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants, the highest level certification program in the industry. The Mission Breastfeeding Center serves mothers before and after delivery at Mission Hospital as well as mothers who have delivered at home or elsewhere within our region. We also provide breastfeeding resources and supplies for mothers.

The Mission Breastfeeding Center Lactation Consultants also help train and support Mission's nurses who provide breastfeeding support to all mothers who deliver at Mission Hospital, including nurses who provide care in our neonatal intensive care unit. Our lactation consultants are available to assist mothers and nurses if the need arises during their stay at the hospital. Mothers who are at home can be referred by their physician or call the Breastfeeding Center directly for questions or additional help in our outpatient office.

We support breastfeeding mothers because we know breastfeeding benefits everyone; babies, moms and our community. Important reasons to consider breastfeeding include:

For babies:

• Lower risk of ear and allergy infection
• Fewer GI disturbances
• Mom's milk is easily digested and a perfect match
• Filled with antibodies to prevent infections
• Stimulates sense of smell and taste
• Provides skin, eye, and voice contact, contributing to a bonding, loving relationship

For moms:

• Convenient and economical
• Help uterus return to normal size
• Helpful for weight loss
• Contributes to a great bonding, intimate relationship

Our mission is to help each mother reach her personal goal of providing breast milk to her baby. Many mothers are able to breastfeed longer than their initial feeding goal because the baby and mother find a new rhythm of life which includes breastfeeding.

Helping you understand common breastfeeding issues

Every new mom has learning experiences when beginning to care for and feed her new baby. Sometimes things don't come as easy as expected and that's especially true of breastfeeding. This is why our Lactation Consultants are available for additional support by phone and, if needed, in our outpatient office where you can receive caring help and feeding assistance from our staff.

We teach breastfeeding basics through one-on-one sessions, and talk to you about breastfeeding safety, including foods, medicines and physical activities. Occasionally, mothers have problems such as: 

• Latch on difficulties
• Sleepy babies or issues where babies are unable to nurse well
• Sore nipples
• Milk supply issues
• Swelling of the breast called engorgement

We offer private consultations to help assess how your baby is breastfeeding and develop an individualized plan of care for you.

Mission Breastfeeding Center staff also teaches you and your family about things to do once you go home, including collection and storage of breast milk, as well as what to do if the baby is not feeding enough, not wetting enough diapers, or not gaining enough weight.

Many of these services are covered by your insurance carrier; call our office or your carrier if you have questions. Outpatient office visits are charged at an hourly rate; the rate is dependent on your specific needs and issues.

Breastfeeding supplies are stocked and readily available to you

Our Center offers many breastfeeding supplies including high quality nursing bras, breast pumps for sale or rent and other accessories.  Receive a custom fitting session for sleep, nursing, or jogging bras before or after you deliver-all our staff are certified bra fitters. Call 828-213-1103 to find out more or schedule an appointment.

• Baby Friendly Hospital Distinction
  Mission Hospital earned the rigorous Baby Friendly Hospital Distinction given to hospitals for their advocacy of breastfeeding among new mothers. We were the first hospital in North Carolina  to earn the designation. The Baby Friendly designation is given by Baby Friendly USA, an organization working to implement the UNICEF/WHO initiative to encourage breast feeding worldwide, and promoting the health value of breastfeeding and human milk for mothers, babies, and society.

• Golden Bow Award
  The Mother-Baby Unit and Mission Breastfeeding Center at Mission Children's Hospital recently received the "Golden Bow Award" from the NC Breastfeeding Coalition for our efforts to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Appointment Information

We are available to answer questions by phone and for appointments Monday-Friday from 8:30-4:30 at 828-213-1103 or toll free at 1-800-572-6664 (ask to be transferred to the Mission Breastfeeding Center.) We return phone calls promptly. We have limited availability on weekends, but will make every effort to help you when you need it.

If you have scheduled an appointment with the Breastfeeding Center, download and fill out the Intake Packet and Consent and Authorization form prior to arrival.  (Descargar e completar: Centro de Amamantamiento Formulario de Ingreso)