Our Lady of Lourdes' outpatient lactation clinic offers help to mothers breastfeeding 

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- In recognition of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, Our Lady of Lourdes shares how its Women's & Children's Outpatient Lactation Clinic helps mothers with breastfeeding, even after moms and their babies leave the hospital.

Registered Nurse Tracy Venable said the clinic wants to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding and encourage and promote breastfeeding in the hopes of improving the health of moms and their babies.

Breastfeeding is highly nutritious, she said. The most common benefits for mothers includes the decreased risk of ovarian cancer and decreased risk of postpartum hemorrhage. It also helps a mother recover from childbirth quickly.

“One of the coolest things that I think one of the benefits that it provides is it releases the hormone oxytocin. So oxytocin is responsible for the trigger of the milk letdown or the release of the milk when the baby latches on and starts nursing and it also has a calming effect on mom," Vendable said.

"So what happens is that it's linked to increased communication, and increased affection. It's known as the love hormone or the feel-good hormone,” she continued.

The biggest benefit for a baby, she explains, is that breast milk is a superfood. It provides all the nutrients that a baby needs to help them grow bigger and stronger. Also, it helps to protect and boost their immune system from things like the common cold flu, and COVID. 

In the outpatient clinic, they take calls from mothers who have any questions or issues. Anything they can handle over the phone they will do. If it's something that they can't handle over the phone, the mother would then come in for a comprehensive assessment, which takes about two hours.

Venable said her role is to take a detailed history from the mother and weigh the baby.

"We observed a latch and the feeding. Whatever is going on, we kind of address those issues, and concerns, and we come up with a plan together that kind of helps support her breastfeeding goal," she said.

"I love to teach. Love, to educate, to love, to empower them, and love to be their cheerleader. Most of all, pray with them whenever they come in. All of these things through their breastfeeding journey can be helpful," she continued. 

One of the biggest mistakes she sees is mothers pushing through pain with breastfeeding. Venable said there shouldn't be any pain because that is a signal that something isn't right.

“In the beginning, when they start to breastfeed in the hospital after babies are newly born, it's normal to have some discomfort and that should subside once they get home. So if any kind of pain is continuing, then they should seek help early so we can have them come in, so we can get to the root of the problem,” she said. 

Venable said some of the main issues she sees when mothers visit the clinic are pain with latching, difficulty latching or mothers worried that their baby isn't getting enough milk.

"These are some of the common issues and frustrations we see,” said Venable.

“We definitely hit up on that and give them the recommendations, instructions, and what they need to help with that, and then if things are not helpful according to the plan we come up with together, and then we of course, refer out for other means like a pediatric dentist or occupational therapy, But we try to avoid those things. We try to do a lot of teaching and hands-on to provide before going that route," she said.

Venable stresses the importance of a mother having a support system during breastfeeding as they can be their primary source of encouragement and can help the mother succeed in her breastfeeding journey. 

“Not only can they encourage, but they can be nurturers so they can help mom become comfortable, help her sit upright with pillows or any type of support she needs to help with getting the breastfeeding started, and also bring her snacks and something to drink. They can also be what's important is being a gatekeeper so they can help set boundaries and have visitors leave at a certain time so mom and baby can get the rest that they need,” said the registered nurse. 

If you need services contact the Outpatient lactation clinic at 337-470-5239. If you do need a physician’s order from your provider then call 337-470-BABY (2229) to schedule an appointment. 

Latest News