Lactation Services

Norman Regional's team of highly-skilled Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC's) work with each mom to help reach her newborn's feeding goals. This team works alongside families to offer a variety of support from verbal, written, and/or hands-on based on patient preference.

The international board-certified lactation team includes:

Breastfeeding your baby

After your baby is born, your milk should come in about three to five days after delivery. Mothers who have had a C-section will find that their milk is delayed coming in by at least one day.

For the best health outcomes, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary foods for at least 2 years and beyond as mutually desired.

How often to breastfeed?

First Few Days

Your newborn’s stomach is quite small, so they don't need much milk at each feeding to feel satisfied.
Your baby might want to eat every 1 to 3 hours, and frequent feedings can help boost your milk supply while giving your baby practice with sucking and swallowing.
On average, according to the CDC, most exclusively breastfed babies will feed about every 2 to 4 hours. Some babies may feed as often as every hour at times, often called cluster feeding. Or may have a longer sleep interval of 4 to 5 hours.
If baby is sleepy, wake baby to feed by unwrapping baby, changing the diaper and placing baby skin-to-skin.
You might even hear your baby sucking and swallowing the milk.

First Weeks and Months

Milk production is regulated by supply and demand. Frequent feedings that empty your breasts help you make more milk.
Some feeding sessions may be long, and others short. That is okay. Babies will generally take what they need at each feeding and stop eating when they are full.
Your baby will breastfeed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.

Click to view all of our online and in-person breastfeeding classe.

How long is a feeding

When your milk is in, breastfeed baby on one side until baby falls asleep or unlatches and then burp baby and offer the second side. Start on the last side or side not fed on the next feeding.
Every baby is different but, in general, feedings will last 15-45 minutes.
It is important that baby gulps and swallows on one side for at least 15 minutes.
You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby, and if baby seems hungry, offer the breast.

Growth spurts

It is common for all babies to have growth spurts. These usually occur around 7-14 days, 4-6 weeks, 3-4 months, 6 months, and 9 months. These growth spurts usually last 2-3 days, but can last about a week. Babies will feed more frequently during this time.

Breastfeeding tips

It is normal for your baby to feed inconsistently for the first 24 hours. Continue to attempt.
Hold your baby skin-to-skin often during your hospital stay.
Offer a feeding every 2-3 hours.
Choosing to room in with your newborn can help you respond to your baby’s hunger signs and breastfeed frequently, which helps boost your milk supply.
Watch for feeding cues from your baby such as rooting, hand-to-mouth movements and times when baby is quiet and alert. Crying is a late sign of hunger.
Colostrum is produced before and during your first few days after delivery. It may be clear or have a yellow tint. Sometimes it is referred to as “liquid gold” because it is packed full of nutritional benefits including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting antibodies. Colostrum transitions to breastmilk and digests in about 1.5 hours, so baby may demonstrate hunger cues earlier than 3 hours.
Breastfed babies cannot be overfed. Feed on demand.
Alternate breasts every feeding. If the baby nurses longer than 20-30 minutes, it is okay to switch sides.
The wider and deeper the latch, the more colostrum/breastmilk is transferred and the more comfortable for mom.
Ask for help with positioning and latching your baby to the breast as needed. Football and cross cradle are the best positions for newborns.
Avoid pacifiers and artificial nipples for the first 3-4 weeks.

Outpatient Lactation Services

Breastfeeding is very important to us at Norman Regional, which is why our team is available seven days a week. If you need additional help once you and your baby are home, please don’t hesitate to call us at 405-515-3532. We will schedule a time to sit down with you and your baby and provide hands-on help to alleviate the stress or confusion you’re experiencing. As part of the visit, we will weigh your baby before and after a feeding to ensure they are getting the breast milk they need. A doctor’s order is required for most insurance to cover the visit. (Orders to be faxed by OB or pediatrician to 405-515-3147)

Norman Regional is one of the only hospitals in Oklahoma with Advanced Perinatal Certification. Features exclusive breastfeeding rates, consistently exceeding the national benchmark.
Lactation Services’ goal is to support our mother's decision to breastfeed, not only while in the hospital, for AT LEAST the babys first six months. (As recommended by the CDC, AAP, and WHO)
We offer outpatient lactation consultations provided by our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC).
Whether you delivered here at Norman Regional, with a midwife, or at another surrounding hospital, we are here to ensure that ALL mothers who wish to breastfeed have the help, resources and support needed to meet their goals.
A newly renovated, spacious, lactation office located at Norman Regional Hospital located at 3300 HealthPlex Parkway was recently unveiled and offers easily accessible, right outside the elevators on the Labor and Delivery floor.
One-on-one consultations with a minimum one-hour appointment time.

Breastfeeding help

Norman Regional Hospital Lactation Services – 405-515-3532
COBA – okbreastfeeding.org
- Meets the third Wednesday of every month at Norman Public Library Central 2nd floor, Rose Rock Room
Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline – 877-271-MILK (6455)
- Families can contact Hotline IBCLCs two ways. Call: 877-271-MILK (6455) or Text: OK2BF to 61222.
- Staff reply to all non-urgent contacts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and reply to all urgent contacts within one hour 24/7.
Droplet – firstdroplets.com
Oklahoma Mother’s Milk Bank – okmilkbank.org

Additional Resources

Norman Regional’s Lactation Services Booklet (PDF)
Norman Regional’s Late Preterm Booklet (PDF)
Baby’s Daily Feeding Record (PDF)
Baby’s Second Night Tips (PDF)
Hand Expression (PDF)