We can help with your breastfeeding concerns
Breastfeeding is one of the most important decisions you will make for your baby. Inova is fully committed to offering comprehensive lactation services and support at each of our birth centers to assist parents. Support is especially important and helpful in special medical situations such as breastfeeding a premature or sick newborn.
Hospital lactation consultations and boutiques
For more information about breastfeeding consultation services at Inova, see details below:
Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (Outpatient)
The Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Program at Inova combines expert clinical experience with dedicated, personalized care to allow each family to find their best version of breastfeeding success. Learn more 
Breastfeeding Medicine can assist with many breastfeeding related issues that parents may face, including:
- Latch difficulty
- Infant slow weight gain
- Tongue-tie assessment and frenotomy
- Low milk production
- Oversupply, engorgement or plugged milk ducts
- Nipple pain or injury
- Breast and nipple infections
- Prematurity
- Feeding of twins/multiples
- Weaning
- Breastfeeding following maternal breast surgery
- Pumping and/or returning to work
- Inducing lactation for adoption
Sensitive to your cultural needs: our consultants collaborate with you and your baby
Inova offers international board-certified lactation consultants who provide the following services:
- Private lactation consultations, including weight checks and nursing bra fittings
- Breastfeeding advice by phone
- Breastfeeding in challenging situations, such as premature or sick infants, infants in special medical situations, or breastfeeding twins or triplets
- Basic position and latch of the infant
- Practices that promote successful breastfeeding
- Preventing and managing common concerns such as poor latch, inadequate milk transfer or supply, nipple or breast pain, and calming a fussy baby
- Milk expression and storage for parents who must be separated from their babies
- Strategies for breastfeeding after returning to work
- Breastpump information, rental and sales
- Breastfeeding supplies, including nursing bras and apparel, nursing pads and pillows, lanolin and milk storage bags
Good reasons to breastfeed
Breast milk provides all the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs. Breastfed babies and their breastfeeding parents benefit from numerous health benefits.
Breastfed babies have less:
- Respiratory and ear infections
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Allergies
- Obesity
- Doctor visits
Parents who breastfeed have less:
- Post-partum hemorrhage
- Post-partum depression
- Cancers, such as breast and endometrial
- Lost work time
You will get the opportunity to meet other parents and babies, create a new support network, share experiences, get support and resources from an experienced maternal-infant educator, and hear from guest speakers. Previous guest speakers have included a pelvic floor physical therapist, early literacy, and emergency preparedness. Learn more