Outpatient Lactation Clinic, other women’s services move toSt. John’s Medical Supply

St. John’s Outpatient Lactation Clinic in July moves from the maternity floor of St. John’s Hospital to a 2,000-square-foot retail space in St. John’s Medical Supply at 3328 S. National, in Kelly Plaza. The Outpatient Lactation Clinic will continue to have breast pumps available to inpatients to purchase or rent.

“We hope this move will encourage more new moms to utilize breastfeeding help and education services after they leave the hospital,” says Sheila Peters, R.N. “The location is very convenient, with parking right outside the door.”

Breastfeeding doesn’t necessarily come easily to all moms and babies, Peters says.
“Many women, whether it’s their first child, or their 10th, need some help and encouragement,” she says. “I am currently helping a mother who is nursing her 11th baby.”
Rebecca and Nathan Edwards (pictured) came to Peters for help breastfeeding their son, Eoyn, who was born April 24.

“I was struggling to get him latched on, and he was losing weight and was jaundiced. Sheila gave us hope that we could do this (breastfeeding),” Rebecca says. “We started using a nipple shield to improve his latch-on, then we used a Hazelbaker, which allowed us to supplement him with formula while he was nursing. With Sheila’s help, he gained 4 ounces in 24 hours and has improved ever since. She had answers for all of our breastfeeding problems.”

In addition to three private consultation and breastfeeding rooms, the new location will offer a showroom with breastfeeding supplies such as pumps, nursing and maternity bras and clothing, and baby slings. Pregnancy and baby supplies such as maternity belts, clothing and back support pillows, diapers, car seats, strollers and travel systems will also be sold there.

“I’m looking forward to educating more women about breastfeeding before their baby is born,” Peters says. “We can do assessments to look for any potential problems she may have nursing, as well as custom-fit her for her breast pump and nursing bras at that time. We also encourage St. John’s pediatricians and OB/GYNs to send patients who are having trouble breastfeeding to the clinic, which is across National Avenue from St. John’s Clinic-Smith Glynn Callaway.”

Peters recently became a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and will offer car seat checks at the clinic to help new parents make sure they have their car seat base and car seat installed in their vehicle properly. The car seats, strollers and travel systems sold there will be only those recommended by St. John’s Trauma Services.

Additional women’s services, such as mastectomy supplies and fittings, will also be offered there, Peters says. She will also serve as a nurse consultant for St. John’s Medical Supply and can help the staff answer customers’ questions about medical supplies, or their medical condition, as needed.

“This new women’s services area of our store is a welcome addition to St. John’s Medical Supply,” says St. John’s Medical Supply Director Ben Galbraith. “We’re pleased to be able to serve the needs of our women customers in one convenient location.”

Outpatient Lactation Clinic Services

• Prenatal exams to assess flat/inverted nipples;
• Certified Bra Fittings for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding mothers;
• Customized pump fittings and “back to work” consultations;
• Outpatient consultations for high-risk newborns or latch-on difficulties, or women who have had breast surgery and wish to breastfeed;
• Baby weight checks before and after nursing to measure the exact amount of intake;
• Phone support and follow-up consultations;
• Workplace consultations to assist with providing the employee with a breastfeeding/pumping room;
• Discounted breastfeeding supplies and pumps available with
Teddy Bear Club and St. John’s co-worker discount.