Lactation Services

Lactation Services

Our Lactation Consultants are Registered Nurses specializing in Maternal Infant care and are certified through the International Board of Lactation Consultants. We are here to offer sensitive and supportive care to help you reach your breastfeeding goals.

Expert Lactation Support

Breast milk is widely recognized as the ideal source of nutrition for infants, providing exceptional health advantages that promote growth, immunity, and development. However, nursing can raise questions and challenges, and that is where we offer our support.  

At The Elliot, our committed lactation staff offers empathetic, evidence-based support to assist parents in establishing and sustaining a healthy milk supply. Regardless of whether you are dealing with initial challenges, overcoming difficulties, or working towards your specific feeding goals, we are committed to providing support at each step of your journey. 

Our lactation team consists of International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) who are highly skilled and passionate about supporting families. We provide prenatal education, inpatient support, and ongoing guidance for NICU families. We are here for you every step of the way, whether you're preparing for your baby's arrival or dealing with post-birth issues. 

How We Support Breastfeeding at The Elliot

  • Guided by a hospital-wide breastfeeding policy 
  • Encourage on-cue feeding and teach parents to recognize infant feeding cues 
  • Promote skin-to-skin contact early and often 
  • Practice rooming-in to strengthen bonding 
  • Teach reflexive latching and milk expression when families are separated
  • Provide only breastmilk to breastfed babies unless formula supplementation is medically indicated or requested
  • Educate parents about the risks of early pacifier/artificial nipple use unless medically indicated
  • Train staff to support breastfeeding families 
  • Offer a warmline for questions after discharge 
  • Provide outpatient visits and community resources, including a weekly Mom’s Group 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Nursing bra or tank top (soft, supportive, no underwire) 
  • Comfortable robe or pajamas 
  • Optional: favorite nursing pillow 
  • Nipple balm (lanolin and hydrogel pads provided if needed) 
  • Nursing pads (optional, available upon request) 
  • Water bottle and healthy snacks 
     

No, we provide Medela Symphony pumps during your stay, along with a multi-use kit. You may bring your own pump if preferred, especially if you plan to pump exclusively. Review your pump’s setup videos before delivery for confidence.
 

You will still receive full lactation support if your baby is admitted to the NICU. It’s important to begin pumping or hand expressing within the first hour after birth to protect and establish your milk supply. We recommend pumping every three hours around the clock to maintain production. During your stay, Medela Symphony pumps will be available for your use, and our NICU nurses and lactation consultants will assist you with latching as soon as your baby is ready to breastfeed. 
 

Start with frequent skin-to-skin contact, ideally right after delivery, as it helps calm your baby, promotes bonding, and makes it easier to recognize early feeding cues. If you and your baby are well, aim to breastfeed within the first hour. Your nurse will guide you through positioning and achieving a deep, comfortable latch.  

You’ll receive a breastfeeding log for the first few days and our Guide to Postpartum Care, which includes tips on feeding cues, latching basics, and QR codes linking to helpful videos. We also recommend “rooming in” so you can learn your baby’s cues and build confidence before going home. Throughout your stay, our lactation team will visit your room to provide support and address any challenges. 
 

Need Help? Connect With Us

Get Lactation Support

Have questions or need personalized support? Call our Warmline at (603) 663-4464 and one of our lactation consultants will be glad to assist you. We strive to return calls within 24 hours.

Outpatient Services 

For those needing further support, we offer outpatient lactation visits by appointment at:  

275 Mammoth Road, Suite 1 
Manchester, NH, 03109