If you’re an expecting mom or a new mother in the Birmingham area, breastfeeding can be both rewarding and challenging. Lactation Services at UAB St. Vincent’s offers expert support to guide you through every stage, including before birth, in the hospital, and after you go home.
We sat down with Emily Butler, RN, IBCLC, one of UAB St. Vincent’s International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, to answer some of the most common questions about breastfeeding support and services.
Q: What does a lactation consultant at UAB St. Vincent’s do?
Emily: As lactation consultants, we provide professional breastfeeding education and support for issues like nipple pain, low milk supply, or latch difficulties. We go in-depth on how your baby’s tongue and oral muscles work to remove milk, the hormones behind milk production, and possible causes of pain or low volume.
Q: What training do your lactation consultants have?
Emily: All of our lactation consultants are IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants). This means we’ve completed:
- 95+ hours of lactation-specific education
- 1,000 clinical hours assisting breastfeeding moms and babies
- A rigorous board certification exam
- Recertification every five years to ensure we use the latest, evidence-based practices
At UAB St. Vincent’s, all IBCLCs are also registered nurses with experience in NICU, postpartum, and labor & delivery care.
Q: How do nurses and lactation consultants work together in the hospital?
Emily: While you’re in the hospital, your bedside nurse is your first support for breastfeeding. They can help with electric breast pump setup, hand expression, and positioning your baby at the breast. If more specialized help is needed, a lactation consultant will step in for a full assessment and personalized guidance.
We aim to see every breastfeeding mother at least once during her stay to check her baby’s latch, answer questions, and provide one-on-one education.
Q: What breastfeeding support is available after moms and babies leave the hospital?
Emily: We offer a free breastfeeding support group every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1–3 PM. Moms can drop in, meet with one or two lactation consultants, and use our scales for weighted feeds to check how much milk the baby is taking in.
If you need more individualized help, we offer private one-hour consultations in our office (by appointment; a fee applies). All moms leave the hospital with:
- A breastfeeding education packet
- Our direct phone number for follow-up questions
- Information on available support services
Q: Can expecting moms get help before the baby arrives?
Emily: Absolutely! Prenatal breastfeeding support is a great way to prepare! We offer:
- Free prenatal lactation consults (in person or virtual) for moms with possible risk factors like prior breast surgery, inverted nipples, PCOS, or diabetes.
- Small in-person breastfeeding classes with hands-on guidance in positioning, pumping, and understanding milk production basics. Spouses are always welcome!
These classes and consults give moms a head start, making the first days of breastfeeding less overwhelming.
Q: When do doctors refer moms to lactation consultants?
Emily: We work closely with OB-GYNs and pediatricians for issues like mastitis, medication safety while breastfeeding, latch pain, poor infant weight gain, or low milk supply.
We can’t diagnose medical conditions, but we collaborate with your doctor to develop a personalized feeding plan, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure your baby is getting enough milk.
Q: Why is breastfeeding support at UAB St. Vincent’s so personalized?
Emily: Every mom-and-baby pair is unique. What works for one mother might not work for another, or even for the same mother with a different child. That’s why we create customized feeding and pumping plans tailored to each family’s needs.
Breastfeeding Support in Birmingham is Just a Call Away
Whether you’re preparing for your first feeding or working through a challenge, UAB St. Vincent’s lactation consultants are here with the knowledge, compassion, and hands-on support you need.
