Lactation Services

Lactation consultant in a room At Bloomington Hospital, specifically-trained lactation consultants are always available to breastfeeding mothers - both during and after your hospital stay. This is a key component to the hospital's ongoing commitment to enhancing the health of our youngest patients.

At Bloomington Hospital we encourage you to breastfeed. Our nurses are experts in the care and feeding of babies, and want to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to feel competent in feeding, no matter what your choice.

Why Breastfeed?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year of life, and at Bloomington Hospital we support this goal, while recognizing that any amount of breastfeeding is a step toward better infant health. Studies on infants provide evidence that breastfeeding can decrease the incidence or severity of conditions such as diarrhea, ear infections and bacterial meningitis.

Research indicates that breastfeeding can reduce a mother's risk of several medical conditions, including ovarian and breast cancer, and possibly a decreased risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis in the postmenopausal period.

Mother and newborn baby Education and support provided by Lactation Services at Bloomington Hospital include, but is not limited to:

Bimonthly Breastfeeding and Pumping Class for the back-to-work Mom
Daily in-patient consultations offered 365 days a year, with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Fee for Service outpatient breastfeeding appointments
Breastfeeding Help-Line 9a.m. to 1 p.m., seven days a week
Full line of breast pumps and breastfeeding accessories for purchase
Hospital-grade breast pump rental program
Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) 812.353.2901

Medela Breast Pump Rental and Purchase
Not sure which model is for you? Visit the Medela site for a great chart on choosing your breast pump.
Bloomington Hospital also stocks a full line of Medela accessories, such as milk storage bags, nursing stools, nipple shields, breast shells and more.

Click here to print the chart below.

Pump Type	Uses	Advantages	Comments	Costs (subject to change)
Harmony	For occasional use	Small and portable Easy to use	Pumps one side at a time	$45
Swing	For occasional or daily use	2-phase pumping	Pumps one side at a time	$150
Pump ‘N Style Regular Traveler Advanced	Full-time work/school Planning to pump for months Buy for long-term needs Premature/ill infant Infant does not latch on	Mother buys and owns it Place to cool and store milk Lightweight, easy to transport Double or single pumping Automatic cycling Can run on battery pack	Not intended for resale	Three styles: Regular – Shoulder Bag - $250 Traveler – Back Pack - $250 Advanced with two-phase pumping – $319 For all three, the pump and pumping kit (breast flanges, tubing, bottles) are included in price
Lactina Rental(hospital grade pump)	Full-time work/school Planning to pump for months For short-term needs Premature/ill infant Infant does not latch on Low milk supply	Lightweight, easy to transport Double or single pumping Automatic cycling	Pump must be returned to hospital	Pump rental is $50 per month Pumping kit is $50 (one-time cost) Rental is with credit card only
Symphony Rental(state-of-the-art hospital grade pump)	Premature infant Relactation/induced lactation Planning to pump for months Low milk supply Infant does not latch on	2-phase pumping action run by computer chip Most closely imitates sucking action of baby	Pump must be returned to hospital	Rental is $50 per month Pumping kit is $50 Rental is with credit card only

Cash, Check, or Credit Card accepted.
You are responsible for submitting your bill for rental/supplies to your insurance company. Pumps may be rented/purchased while you are a patient in the hospital. Dial 2947 (from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.) or make an appointment at Lactation Services, 7 days a week, by calling 812.353.5805.

Should you rent or purchase a pump? Determine how long you plan to use the pump and if you are planning to have other children.

Four month rental = $250
Pump ‘N Style = $250
Pump ‘N Style (Advanced) = $319

Whether you rent or purchase from Bloomington Hospital or another local source, you may call the Lactation Consultant for questions related to breastfeeding, pumping, or milk collection.

New Life Center

Lactation Services

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