Breastfeeding Services at The Lactation Center

At Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, we know the health rewards breastfeeding offers moms and babies. Research shows:

Breast milk benefits for baby:

• Easy to digest
• Helps the brain develop
• Strengthens the immune system, reducing the risk of disease and infection
• Lowers risk if SIDS
• Lowers risk of type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Breastfeeding benefits for mother:

• Causes the uterus to contract and return tto its normal size
• Decreases bleeding
• Lowers risk of osteoporosis and some breast and ovarian cancers
• Lowers risk of developing type II diabetes

A Head Start

Our support for breastfeeding success starts with pregnancy, when you can sign up to take our breastfeeding class. A certified lactation consultant will tell you what to expect and offer expert advice.

You are also encouraged to consider breastfeeding in your birth plan, which you can develop with our staff at the hospital’s Childbirth Center. We know each situation is unique and respect your choices. If you do choose breastfeeding, we will be here to help each step of the way.

During Your Stay

Once your baby arrives, we promote skin-to-skin contact between the two of you as soon as possible. This will help you bond and breastfeed. If you and your baby do not need special medical care, you two will “room in” together for the rest of your stay, with your nurse ready to assist in any way.

Our lactation consultants will visit, give tips and guide you if challenges come up. We have breast pumps if you need one during your hospital stay.

Enduring Support

In addition to better health, breastfeeding can save you thousands on formula and bottles. And the value of the closeness you share with your baby cannot be measured.

Your baby will benefit most if you continue through the first year. To help, we provide you with our “Baby News” guide, which has a breastfeeding section. We also offer a list of community resources, which can be found below. You can call The Lactation Center Warm Line at 805-569-7826 with questions and concerns.

We also hope you will join Mother’s Circle, a free group that meets each Wednesday, 2 to 4 p.m. The group lets you touch base with our breastfeeding experts and enjoy the friendship and support of other moms.

Breastfeeding Resources