Breastfeeding Services

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for both you and your baby. We at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center are here to support you in any way we can. 

There are numerous reasons why mothers choose to breastfeed. Use the tabs below to learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding and resources that St. Joseph’s University Medical Center provides.

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for both you and your baby. While breastfeeding is natural, it takes time and support to get off to a great start. The Mother Baby staff and lactation consultants at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center are here to support you in any way they can. Our nurses are trained in breastfeeding support and our lactation consultants can provide additional care for breastfeeding challenges. Our hospital practices rooming in and skin-to-skin care. Skin to skin means your baby is placed directly on your chest, belly down. Skin to skin helps your baby adjust to life outside your belly. Babies that are skin to skin breastfeed better, have better heart rates and breathing. It also increases breastfeeding duration.

Families may find it helpful to take a breastfeeding class prior to the birth of their baby. Here you will learn about the benefits of breastfeeding, positions, feeding cues, signs baby is getting enough and pumping. You can register for one of our prenatal breastfeeding classes by contacting Kathy Brantner at (973)754-3344.

St. Joseph's Health has a breastfeeding hotline for basic breastfeeding questions, (973)754-3393.

If you have additional questions or require more breastfeeding support, you may contact our Board Certified Lactation Consultants at (973)754-3361.

Additional Helpful links:

CDC Breastfeeding Information English:
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/breastfeeding/what-to-expect.html

CDC Breastfeeding Information Spanish:
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/que-esperar-durante-la-lactancia-materna.html

Zip Milk: Locate a Lactation Consultation in Your Area
www.zipmilk.org

Find a lactation consultant:

1-888-452-2478, http://www.ilca.org

Mother-to-mother Breastfeeding support group:

La Leche League 1-800-525-3243, www.lalecheleague.com

WIC Breastfeeding Line:

(973)754-4581

Medela Breast pump rental:

1-800-tellyou (835-5968)

Want to learn more? Take a picture of the QR code below with your phone for some helpful breastfeeding and pumping videos.