Looking for Lactation Resources?
Here you’ll find lots of great information for families on breastfeeding recommendations and advocacy materials, as well as resources for health professionals who want to learn more about the importance of their role in supporting breastfeeding families.
Pittsburgh Area/Western PA Resources
Allegheny County Breastfeeding Helpline / Healthy Start
412.687.2243
Accepts calls from parents in Allegheny County who have breastfeeding questions or concerns. Calls are answered by certified lactation counselors. Healthy Start participants are eligible to receive a home visit from their certified lactation consultant; participants are also eligible to attend free breastfeeding and childbirth education classes.
Center for Urban Breastfeeding
412.247.4009
Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle
412.638.1580
An in-person and Facebook support group for women of color who want to meet and discuss some of the unique challenges they face with breastfeeding and parenting.
Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank
412.281.4400
We are dedicated to providing safe human milk to all babies in need.
Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank is a non-profit milk bank dedicated to providing safe human milk to all babies in need. The milk bank is proud to be part of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, the experts in human milk banking for more than 30 years.
WIC Lactation Program
Allegheny County WIC program https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Clinics-and-Facilities/Women-Infants-and-Children-Clinics
Breastfeeding hotline for WIC participants:
call 1-855-4-ASK-MOM to reach the WIC breastfeeding hotline.
Are you pregnant and preparing to breastfeed? Have you just started to breastfeed? No matter where you are on your breastfeeding journey, the WIC Breastfeeding Support website has resources that can help! Explore the Stages of Breastfeeding to find information, learn how to overcome common challenges, and celebrate your success.
Breastfeeding Matters
641-715-3900, ext. 216818#. Hours are 5 p-10 p M-F and 10 a- 6 p Saturdays and Sundays.
An after hours breastfeeding helpline aimed to provide information and support to breastfeeding families in western Pennsylvania. The helpline is staffed by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants or Certified Lactation Counselors.
National Resources
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
A worldwide organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and human lactation. A key goal of the ABM is the development of clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success.
AAP Breastfeeding Initiatives
Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding
This Call to Action lists measures people can take to support mothers and babies who are breastfeeding, improve the quality of health care that mothers and babies receive and reduce breastfeeding inequities and disparities.
Business Case for Breastfeeding
A guide for employers designed to help support the breastfeeding/pumping employee in the workplace, including a private place to pump and flexible breaks. Supporting breastfeeding in the workplace promotes employee retention, productivity and loyalty.
Federal Law
Coding/Billing Information for Physicians
From the AAP and PCC:
https://www2.aap.org/breastfeeding/files/pdf/CODING.pdf
https://chipsblog.pcc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Providers_Quick_Coding_Guide_For_Breastfeeding_Services.pdf
CDC Breastfeeding
Global Health Media
The Global Health Media Project designs and develops videos (including several breastfeeding videos) that are tailored to the needs of health workers and populations in low-resource settings. Internet and mobile technology enable these videos to reach large numbers of clinicians in a cost-effective manner. (Features great videos for health care providers AND patients.)
IBLCE (International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant Examiners)
The IBLCE is a worldwide resource which certifies practitioners in lactation and breastfeeding management.
ILCA (International Lactation Consultant Association)
ILCA is a professional organization that connects members to leading experts in the field and to the research that guides breastfeeding practice and policy.
IABLE Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education)
IABLE is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to optimize the promotion and support of breastfeeding for families in the outpatient sector. IABLE is dedicated to building breastfeeding knowledgeable and supportive medical systems and communities through education of medical staff, providers and other outpatient community breastfeeding supporters.
LLLI (La Leche League International)
This worldwide organization promotes women to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education. League has an additional focus on understanding breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of mother/baby pair.
Office On Women’s Health (Health and Human Services)
Stanford University
Stanford University newborn website provides evidence-based information and videos on the management of breastfeeding, including maximizing milk production while pumping. (Includes great videos for health care providers AND patients.)
USBC (United States Breastfeeding Committee)
The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is an independent nonprofit coalition of more than 50 professional, educational, and governmental organizations that share a common mission to create policy and practices that support breastfeeding across the United States.
WHO Code: “International Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes”
Medication Resources
Lactmed
https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/newtoxnet/lactmed.htm
The LactMed® database contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed. It includes information on the levels of these substances in breast milk and infant blood, and possible adverse effects on nursing infants. When appropriate, suggested therapeutic alternatives are provided.
The Infant Risk Center
https://www.infantrisk.com
Hotline Number: 806.352.2519, M-F 8a–3p CST
The InfantRisk Center promotes research, education and public service related to medication safety for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Study Center
University of Rochester Medical Center
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/neonatology/lactation.aspx
Drug Information Services Helpline – 585.275.3232
Toxicology Consult Services Helpline – 585.275.0088
The Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Study Center is part of the Division of Neonatology and is a valuable resource for physicians. Physicians that have questions/concerns regarding what medications can be taken during breastfeeding or general questions regarding difficulties with breastfeeding, can contact the center.
E-Lactancia
https://e-lactancia.org
Check the compatibility of medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements with breastfeeding.