Breastfeeding: An investment in your baby’s health

Breastfeeding support and lactation services

All mothers deserve hands-on support and education so they can meet their feeding goals. Hampden Medical Center lactation consultants are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and offer a full range of lactation services to assist with normal newborn and more complex feeding issues. We provide all families with the information and skills they need to breastfeed successfully at home. If you plan to breastfeed and your infant requires medical supplementation, donor breast milk is also available.

If you have questions, you can call our Breastfeeding Warm Line at 717-981-8237. Leave a voicemail for the Hampden Medical Center lactation team to receive breastfeeding support over the phone or to schedule an outpatient visit.

Classes/Events:

Breastfeeding Basics

First Tuesday of the month, 6-8 p.m.

Learn basic techniques for positioning and latch, how to assess a good feeding, mechanics of producing milk, pumping and storage of breastmilk and available resources.

Meeting details:

• One evening class
• Tuesday
• 6-8 p.m.
• Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center Auditorium
• 503 N. 21st Street, Camp Hill

Cost: $20

For more information, call 717-981-8238 (childbirth education) or email: [email protected].

Mother's Circle

Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon

All are welcome to the Mother’s Circle, which meets weekly and provides lactation guidance to new moms in a support group setting. Here, you can share your journey and connect with other moms and future moms discussing anything and everything motherhood-related. Our lactation team is also available to answer questions and address any concerns.

Meeting details:

• Every Wednesday
• 11 a.m.-noon
• Hampden Medical Center
• 2nd Floor, Women’s and Babies Lounge

Cost: No charge

No registration is necessary.

For more information, call 717-981-8237 (lactation) or 717-981-8238 (childbirth education), or email [email protected].

Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by calling 717-531-7300. You can make an appointment in coordination with other women’s health or pediatric appointments, when available.

The Breastfeeding Program is available to any mother or infant in our community, regardless of where they receive primary care. Mothers, family members and referring providers can get additional breastfeeding support through the Breastfeeding Resource Line at 717-531-MILK (6455). You can make calls to this line 24 hours a day, and messages left will be returned within 24 hours. For urgent concerns, please call 717-531-7300.

Funding for the Breastfeeding Program is provided, in part, by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®. The hospitals have provided breast pumps, specialty breastfeeding chairs and funding for a lactation consultant. To learn more about Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, visit CMNHershey.org.

Classes/Events:

Breastfeeding Basics

Second Tuesday of each month, 6-8:30 p.m.

This class is designed for the expectant woman and identifies the benefits of breastfeeding for the family. Topics include:

• Anatomy of breastfeeding
• Positions and latch
• Feeding on demand
• Potential problems and solutions
• Pumping and returning to work

Fathers are welcome and encouraged to attend.

All classes are taught by certified childbirth educators and registered nurses.

Class details:

• Second Tuesday of each month
• 6-8:30 p.m.
• Mohler Senior Center, 25 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA

Cost: $25

For more information, please call 717-531-6981 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Understanding Breastfeeding eClass

Making the decision to breastfeed is one of the best things you can do for your baby. As with any new experience, you probably have lots of questions. Consider the Understanding Breastfeeding eClass your go-to guide for answers. This interactive online course covers the essentials, including clear animation and plenty of video examples. It lets you know when to call for help and includes partner tips throughout. You will also have the opportunity to track feedings with an easy-to-use tracker!

You can access the eClass from any computer or mobile device with an internet connection. Allow two to three hours for completion.

eClass chapters:

• How Breastfeeding Works
• How to Breastfeed
• When to Feed Your Baby
• Getting Enough Milk
• Breast Care
• Breastfeeding Lifestyle

What’s included?

• Videos, animations and optional read-along audio
• Quizzes, interactive exercises, notes pages and extended activities
• Essential tools, including a breastfeeding and diaper log and appointment tracker
• Audio library with soothing sounds, lullabies and relaxation exercises
• PDF library, glossary and web links
• Class completion certificate

Cost: $45

To register, print the registration form or use the form in the blue educational folder you received at your first obstetrics visit. Mail your registration to our office. You can also call our office at 717-531-6981 to register for eClasses only. We will ask for your email and payment information for registration.

How it works:

• Once you purchase your seat to the eClass, we will email your login instructions.
• You’ll have access to the class for nine months.
• Upon completion of the class, print the certificate of completion to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Postpartum Breastfeeding Support: Mothers and Babies

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:15 a.m.-noon

This class is designed for mothers after the birth of their baby. It provides nutritional information for your new baby, as well as open discussion on breastfeeding and returning to work. This support group is for all mothers to share, learn and have fun with their babies.

Topics include:

• Is baby getting enough?
• Dealing with family
• Pumping and storage
• Supplementing and weaning
• Helpful hints

All classes are taught by certified childbirth educators and registered nurses.

Class details:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays
• 10:15 a.m.-noon
• Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave, Hershey, PA

Cost: No charge

Call 717-531-1298 to register and confirm the group is meeting for your planned start date.

For other Prenatal, Parenting and Postpartum Classes, click here for more information.

To learn about the benefits of breastfeeding, schedule a visit with our lactation consultant:

Tara Schmid
Phone: 610-378-2068
Email: [email protected]

View our breast support resources

Classes/Events:

Breastfeeding Your Newborn

Select Wednesday evenings

There are many benefits of breastfeeding for babies, mothers and the family. This class is designed to help get breastfeeding off to a great start by dispelling myths, bringing you up to date on the latest breastfeeding information and offering some practical tips for welcoming a newborn baby into the family. A doll would be helpful to bring to class. Support persons are welcome!

Class details:

• Select Wednesday evenings
• Total class duration is two hours

Cost: $10 - may be covered by insurance

To learn more or schedule a customized prenatal breastfeeding session, call Tara Schmid in Lactation Services at 610-378-2068 or email [email protected].

For other Birthing, Centering Pregnancy and Parenting Classes, click here for more information.