Norman Regional Supports New Moms Breastfeeding Journey

Welcoming a new baby into the world is an incredible journey. Norman Regional Health System is dedicated to supporting mothers and providing the care and resources you need to nurture both you and your baby. This includes after your baby is born and when you are back at home. Our team of certified lactation consultants can help you learn more about breastfeeding. They can also help you navigate challenges that may occur.

Norman Regional Lactation Services’ goal is to support a mother's decision to breastfeed, not only while in the hospital, but for at least the first six months of the baby’s life as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Understanding that every breastfeeding experience is unique, our dedicated team is committed to offering personalized support and expert guidance. Whether you’re a first-time mom or looking for advice with your third child, our lactation specialists are available to assist you every step of the way.

What is a lactation consultant?

A lactation consultant is a health professional who specializes in breastfeeding and in offering human milk to infants. You can visit a lactation consultant while you’re pregnant, right after you’ve given birth or several months into breastfeeding. You might need this support most urgently during the first few weeks of your baby’s life. This is when your baby is learning how to nurse, and both of you may need more support.

Outpatient Lactation Services at Norman Regional Hospital

Our Lactation Service team is made up of registered nurses who are all international board-certified lactation consultants (IBLC). The team includes Charissa Larson, IBLC who also teaches Norman Regional’s in-person breastfeeding classes. You can watch Charissa tell you why she chose to become a lactation consultant and why she is so passionate about helping breastfeeding moms.

We are here to ensure that ALL mothers who wish to breastfeed have the help, resources and support needed to meet their goals. Even if you did not give birth at Norman Regional Hospital, you can still seek care with our lactation consultants.

One-on-one consultations with a lactation consultant with a minimum one-hour appointment time are available. Our lactation consultants will schedule time to sit down with you and your baby and provide hands-on help to alleviate the issues you’re experiencing.

Our newly renovated, spacious, lactation office at Norman Regional Hospital provides comfort and privacy during your consultation. As part of the visit, your baby will be weighed before and after nursing to ensure they are getting the breast milk they need.

Norman Regional Hospital’s perinatal care services are consistently exceeding national benchmarks, with the hospital being one of the only hospitals in Oklahoma with Advanced Perinatal Certification from The Joint Commission. This certification has been achieved through numerous completed performance improvement projects, including increased exclusive breastfeeding rates.

Childbirth Classes

Norman Regional also offers in-person educational classes for new parents, which includes our breastfeeding class. This hands on class will focus on proper latching and positioning, breastfeeding lifestyle, and milk supply.

The next breastfeeding class will take place 6:00 p.m. Thursday, August 29 at Norman Regional Moore. If you are interested in attending the class, please sign-up here. The cost to attend is $65, which covers both mom and their spouse or partner.

Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee deems August as National Breastfeeding Month. This year's theme, "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All" is focusing on reducing the inequalities that still exist in our society regarding breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) is using this year’s theme to promote why every mom deserves access to a supportive health worker, why breastfeeding support is critical for working moms and how breastfeeding is easier when mom has a support system to share the load.

Additional Resources

Our website features useful and practical resources for new breastfeeding moms to utilize. A newly updated Lactation Services Booklet is filled with helpful tips including feeding record sheets you can print out to track your baby’s breastfeeding progress.

Get Breastfeeding Support

If you need additional help once you and your baby are home, please don’t hesitate to call Norman Regional’s Outpatient Lactation Services at 405-515-3532.Whether you decide to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of our lactation consultants, attend an in-person class or just browse our website for tips, we are here for you.