Breastfeeding Support
If you choose to nurse your baby, you’ll get the guidance you need to succeed from the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants at St. Bernards Healthcare. We help you start breastfeeding in the first hour after delivery, and we’re just a phone call away after you go home.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Both you and your newborn benefit from breastfeeding. For infants, breast milk:
- Supports brain development
- Strengthens the immune system, making it easier to fight off infections
- Lowers the long-term risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, lung disease, ear infections and other illnesses
For moms, breastfeeding can reduce the risk of:
- Breast cancer and ovarian cancer
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
How Long Should I Breastfeed?
Ideally, your baby should have only breast milk for the first six months. You can introduce age-appropriate foods at six months and keep breastfeeding until age 2.
Take a Free Breastfeeding Class
Before your due date, sign up for a free breastfeeding class at St. Bernards. A lactation consultant will explain everything you need to know to prepare to nurse your baby. To see upcoming dates and times, check our events calendar.
Lactation Consultants
A lactation consultant can help you with common challenges, such as:
- Painful or cracked nipples
- Breast engorgement
- Low milk supply
- Plugged ducts
- Mastitis
- Nipple yeast infections
- Breastfeeding twins, triplets or an adopted baby
- Slow infant weight gain
- Trouble pumping breast milk
To get in touch with a lactation consultant, please call St. Bernards Pregnancy Clinic at 870.207.0421.
Milk Donor Testimonial
Breastfeeding and nursing has been the greatest experience and I owe so much of it to the St. Bernards Pregnancy Clinic Lactation Consultants! They are truly the greatest, most encouraging staff. We had a rough start with a few setbacks, but they always supported me and encouraged me to keep trying. Here I am now, 13 months later, still nursing and would consider it such a positive experience! I feel so fortunate to have made it to this point and have such a passion for it... I had a hard time with pregnancy, that the OB St. Bernards staff helped me through amazingly, and I truly believe having such a positive nursing experience helped my postpartum self heal... I had a great time donating my milk and that would not be possible without the lactation consultants/Pregnancy Clinic, and I wouldn't have made it there without an amazing OBGYN staff!
— Gracie Hicks Lenderman, Breastmilk Donor
Human Milk Depot
Moms of premature babies can’t always produce enough breast milk. If you have extra milk in your freezer, consider donating it for infants in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Your gift may lower these newborns’ risk of infections and reduce their time in the hospital.
You have this opportunity to help your neighbors because we partner with the UAMS Milk Bank. After going through a screening process, you can drop off your milk at St. Bernards Pregnancy Clinic in Jonesboro.
The freezer that stores donated milk is dedicated in memory of Kayla Grace Dunnam, the late daughter of St. Bernards NICU nurse Sierra Dunnam.
I have been donating with them the last several months and used the depot at St. Bernards Pregnancy Clinic and it has been a seamless process... I did a phone interview, filled out online questions, and had a local lab blood draw. Once I was approved all I did was simply drop off my milk and they handled the rest! Over the last few months I have donated nearly 1,100 ounces.
— Gracie Hicks Lenderman, Breastmilk Donor
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about breastfeeding.
Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?
Most likely, yes. But call your pediatrician if your baby:
- Nurses constantly
- Cries after most feedings
- Has yellowing skin
- Doesn’t wake spontaneously or stay awake for feedings
- Has trouble latching or feeding for at least 10 minutes at a time
- Has fewer wet or dirty diapers than expected
- Has dry lips
Does Giving Formula Make Me a Bad Mom?
Not at all! Many women don’t breastfeed, and we respect that choice. If you’d like help deciding, talk to your doctor, nurse or lactation consultant. We can give you information about choosing, preparing, storing and using baby formula.
Can I use Formula & Breastfeed?
It takes time for your milk supply to develop. Formula use in the first few days of life can reduce stress and improve the likelihood of successful breastfeeding later. After your baby finishes a breastfeeding session, offer formula if he or she still shows signs of hunger. Let your newborn choose how much to take. As your milk comes in, the infant will gradually need less formula.
Don’t worry, limited use of formula won’t affect your baby’s healthy gut bacteria.
If you’d like to supplement with donated breast milk until your milk fully comes in, talk to your nurse or call 870.207.0421. Donated milk is screened and pasteurized for safety.
Why Doesn't Pumping Produce Any Milk?
Colostrum (your first breast milk) can be thick and hard to pump. You might get more if you pump and then express milk with your hands. Keep pumping on the schedule your lactation consultant recommends, and milk should gradually come in.
