Maternity and Childbirth Services

Breastfeeding provides your baby with a strong nutritional start and helps with emotional development. Breast milk is an easily digested, perfectly matched nutrition source filled with antibodies that protect against infection. Breastfeeding also promotes bonding and contributes to a special, loving relationship with your newborn.

Some mothers find breastfeeding more difficult than they expected; however, most difficulties can be overcome with guidance and support. For moms who choose to breastfeed, St. Luke's offers support and resources for a successful breastfeeding experience.

Our onsite Lactation Center, conveniently located on the Birth Care Suites unit, is staffed by international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLC). They make personal visits to all moms wishing to breastfeed, to provide one-on-one instruction and support while in the hospital.

They are also available for telephone and outpatient consultations after you've gone home. St. Luke's lactation consultants are highly regarded throughout the St. Louis area for their expertise and support. St. Luke's is proud to have an impressive 90% breastfeeding rate among its patients, well surpassing the national breastfeeding rate.

The Lactation Center offers a variety of services and products, including breast pumps for purchase or rent. It also sells breast care products and milk storage items. Lactation consultants are available to help select a breast pump that best fits your needs.

For more information, call the Lactation Center at 314-205-6378. (Since our lactation consultants are often meeting with breastfeeding moms throughout the day and may not be available to take your call, please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.) The Center is generally open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to Noon, but it is best to schedule an appointment.

Telephone Consultations
Questions about breastfeeding may arise after leaving the hospital or while applying the techniques learned in a breastfeeding class. St. Luke's lactation consultants are available by phone to answer these questions.

Private Consultations
Private consultations are also available and are often covered by health insurance, but require a physician's order. For more information or details about getting an order from your OB/GYN, please call the Lactation Center 314-205-6378.

Breastfeeding Class and Baby Bundle App powered by YoMingo®
The Lactation Center at St. Luke's offers online breastfeeding classes for expectant mothers. The class reviews breastfeeding techniques and is ideal for new mothers or as a refresher course. Participants learn how to recognize, manage and prevent potential problems that may arise during breastfeeding. To register and for a complete list of maternity and childbirth classes, please click here or call 314-205-6385 (to speak with our Maternity Nurse Navigator) for more information.

St. Luke's also offers a free Baby Bundle app that offers anytime, anywhere education powered by YoMingo®, a program designed to give you convenient access to valuable information at every stage of pregnancy, birth and beyond, including information on breastfeeding. 

Learn more about the YoMingo Baby Bump App