Newborn care at UMMC includes new lactation clinic

Published on Monday, August 21, 2023

By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu

Photos By: Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Communications

The breastfeeding support new mothers get at Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants at the University of Mississippi Medical Center is now available after they go home.

Outpatient lactation medicine services are now offered at Eli Manning Clinics for Children at Children’s of Mississippi as part of the newborn clinic, giving mothers the information and encouragement needed to continue their breastfeeding journey.

“These visits provide lactation support simultaneously with baby’s first wellness visit after birth,” said Dr. Leigh Campbell, assistant professor of neonatology, director of the lactation clinic and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). “We offer a continuum of lactation support from the inpatient to the outpatient setting. Additionally, we provide lactation services for all families in the community.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for a baby’s first six months, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says breastfeeding is best for mothers and babies. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to have asthma, obesity and type 1 diabetes and may have fewer ear infections and stomach viruses. 

With care starting as newborns begin to breastfeed, the lactation clinic helps mothers deal with challenges.

“We assess feedings and help to optimize latching, positioning and milk supply while working through engorgement, breast discomfort and frustrated infants,” Campbell said. “Often families include milk expression as part of their feeding plan, and we can assist with breast pump use, bottle feedings and ways to manage returning to work. We know the mother and infant relationship is unique to every family, and we are honored to provide individualized family-centered care.”

Mothers can make appointments for lactation care through the clinic at any point in breastfeeding.

“Visits to our lactation clinic can help at the start of breastfeeding, but they can also help a breastfeeding mother prepare to return to work or a mother who is expressing milk for her baby while her child is in neonatal intensive care,” said Marianna Riley, a board-certified family nurse practitioner with the clinic and an IBCLC with extensive experience as a NICU/Newborn nurse.. “We can answer questions about expression, milk supply, breast health and more.”

Takia Hampton of Jackson visited the clinic with newborn daughter Isabella to give her the best possible start.

“I appreciate being able to get answers for any questions I might have, all in one visit,” Hampton said about the combination of newborn and lactation care.

Not only are mothers asked about infant care and breastfeeding but about their own well-being following childbirth.

The clinic has a holistic focus on mothers as well as babies, said Dr. Mobolaji Famuyide, chief of the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Division of Newborn Medicine. “We support maternal well-being,” she said, “including referrals for mental health support as needed.” 

Famuyide said the clinic is an outgrowth of UMMC’s commitment to being Baby-Friendly. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants was redesignated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital in 2022. UMMC first gained Baby-Friendly status from Baby-Friendly USA in 2017.

The U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, Baby-Friendly USA encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

“After becoming a Baby friendly facility several years ago, we felt it was very important to continue to support the increasing number of mothers who were initiating breastfeeding in our facility, so that their breastfeeding goals may be achieved following discharge,” Famuyide said.

Funding from the Kellogg Foundation in support of the Express Yourself Mississippi breastfeeding project supported the launch of the clinic and will help it expand.

A referral is not needed, Campbell said. Mothers can call 601-984-5480 to schedule an appointment at the clinic, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.