OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Enhances Support for New Mothers

OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center is taking significant steps to support new mothers by promoting its comprehensive lactation services in honor of National Breastfeeding Month. The medical center, located in Dixon, offers tailored assistance both before and after childbirth, ensuring families feel confident and well-supported throughout their breastfeeding journey.

The hospital’s team of certified lactation consultants provides personalized care that addresses the unique needs of each mother. “We prioritize the postpartum phase of a woman’s childbirth experience just as much as her pregnancy, which includes lactation support,” stated Gwen Strum, a lactation consultant at OSF Saint Katharine. Strum emphasized the importance of continued support after the arrival of the baby, noting, “Whether a mom and baby are struggling, or a mama just wants reassurance that things are going OK, we provide close follow-up.”

The positive impact of this support is evident in the experiences of mothers like Clara Haas. She described her initial struggles with breastfeeding, stating, “With the start of my lactation journey looking different than I had anticipated, anxiety began to overwhelm me. With the consistent and dedicated help of OSF’s lactation consultant, Gwen Strum, we quickly came up with a personalized solution for stressful feedings.” Haas highlighted the importance of individualized care, saying, “Breastfeeding is not one size fits all. With the support of Gwen, I began to feel confident in how it needed to be tailored to best work for me and my baby.”

Comprehensive Lactation Services Offered

Lactation care at OSF Saint Katharine begins during pregnancy, featuring one-on-one prenatal consultations led by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). These sessions allow expectant mothers to ask questions and familiarize themselves with breastfeeding basics, fostering confidence before delivery. Additionally, breastfeeding education classes, also conducted by IBCLCs, provide more in-depth instruction for mothers and their support partners.

After childbirth, mothers receive in-hospital lactation support along with a structured follow-up plan. Within two to five days post-discharge, a certified lactation counselor (CLC) visits the mother in her home to ensure continued support. Should further assistance be necessary, additional help from an IBCLC is available at the OSF Saint Katharine outpatient lactation clinic.

For those interested in learning more about these services or scheduling a lactation consultation, OSF Saint Katharine’s Women’s Health Services can be contacted at 815-285-5427, while the outpatient lactation clinic can be reached at 815-285-5834.

The commitment of OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine to comprehensive lactation support reflects a growing recognition of the challenges new mothers face and the importance of ensuring they have access to the resources they need for a successful breastfeeding experience.