Lactation Service / Breastfeeding Assistance

Our hospitals are committed to supporting families who choose to breastfeed. We combine the unique skills of physicians, nurse practitioners, certified lactation consultants and lactation educators. We encourage all mothers to hold their babies skin-to-skin right after delivery if they are stable, and allow them to nurse in that first hour when they are very alert.

Services provided by our lactation experts include:

• Prenatal consultations
• Postpartum personal instruction (available seven days a week for hospital inpatients)
• Assistance with special-needs babies
• Assistance with multiple births
• Assistance with premature babies: Supporting Premature Infant Nutrition (SPIN) Program
• Drugs and breastfeeding information
• Breastfeeding class (take during pregnancy) and breastfeeding support group (after baby is born)

UC San Diego Health does not accept free formula from baby formula companies. Instead, we purchase it for infants who are not breastfed, have special medical conditions or need additional supplementation. We also can provide donor breast milk to postpartum moms who need to supplement their breast milk supply.

Breast Pump Rentals

Patients and community members can rent hospital-grade breast pumps and buy breastfeeding supplies at our hospital gift shops.