Just over one year ago, Swedish Covenant Hospital opened the
breastfeeding clinic—the only clinic of its kind in Chicago. The clinic provides the highest-quality lactation support to new mothers, regardless of their insurance. Women can be seen by appointment for one or more visits by Gwenan Wilbur, RN, IBCLC, RLC
“The clinic is an amazing resource to help new mothers who have breastfeeding challenges reach their breastfeeding goals,” said Swedish Covenant Hospital Lactation Consultant Kathleen Gale RN, IBCLC, RLC. “It offers great continuity of care for our moms and their babies!”
Recent data shows that 91% of Swedish Covenant Hospital new moms did some breastfeeding, and 63% were exclusively breastfeeding at discharge. These are impressive statistics both nationally and for the whole Chicago area. The breastfeeding clinic allows an extension of breastfeeding services after discharge, when mothers and babies can face various breastfeeding challenges.
The breastfeeding clinic has served hundreds of patients since opening in April 2015, and more than one third of patients return to the clinic for more than one visit. “We can take advantage of the ACA provision which allows for multiple encounters for lactation support at no cost to moms,” said Gwenan Wilbur. “This makes us unique among lactation providers in the city.”
New moms are often referred by Swedish Covenant Hospital or other hospitals in the area, but any woman in the community is welcome to schedule an appointment. The breastfeeding clinic can address any lactation concerns, including:
• Low milk supply
• Difficult latch
• Mastitis or breast inflammation
• Pain during breastfeeding
• Plugged milk ducts
• Slow infant weight gain
• Pumping at work
• Transitioning from partial to complete breastfeeding
• Tongue-tie
• Pre-term infants
The
breastfeeding clinic operates out of the Swedish Covenant Hospital Mayora Rosenberg Women’s Health Center. It is typically open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and accepts most forms of insurance.
For more information or to make an appointment, please call
773-989-1615.
