Lactation & Childbirth

Lactation Classes

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world, but it rarely feels that way. For first time moms, and inexperienced babies breast feeding can be a challenge. While videos and books give helpful advice and illustrations to new moms, nothing is better than having a trained professional at your side assisting you in breastfeeding positions, Latch, infant feeding clues and most important; "Did my infant get enough milk?" These are the 4 most important key factors attributing to successful and healthy breastfeeding.

Our main goal is to facilitate and support a "peaceful, enjoyable" and "safe" breastfeeding experience for you, your newborn as well as your extended family. We can get you off to a positive start so that you and your baby can enjoy many fulfilling months or years ahead.

Breastfeeding is empowering to us as women. And yet we understand that there is limited time spent in the care of health professionals during your hospital stay postnatally. Allow us to help you successfully breastfeed your infant.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breastfeeding alone provides all the nutrients necessary for infants until about 6 months of age. We can provide answers and solutions to all your questions and concerns. We will be there through all the common, and not so common stages of doubt, with our supportive, sensitive and knowledgeable staff.

You can rest assured that you and your child will be cared for with the utmost kindness, love and respect.

Lactation Specialist

All classes are taught by Robin Ross. Robin has a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education from De Paul University, Chicago. She also has a certificate in Birth-3 in Montessori (AMI), Denver, CO. Her passion for education and understanding the importance of early childhood development is what led her to seek a more natural approach to birthing her first born in 2007. It was her incredible and empowering birthing experience with the aid of her husband, birth doula, and HypnoBirthing®, which gave way to finding her true passion: helping other moms and families have a confident, calm, all inclusive, and empowering birthing experience. Robin is a Certified HypnoBirthing Instructor, Certified Birth Doula CD (DONA), Certified Lactation Educator (CAPPA), Certified Aromatherapist (American College of Healthcare Sciences, OR), Certified Placenta Arts Specialist (APPA), and Certified Reflexologist (SOHMAR, Downers Grove, IL). Robin has been supporting families pre and post natally since 2008. She currently resides in Bolingbrook, IL with her husband and three children.

Both West Suburban Women's Health and Robin are committed to providing the enthusiastically supportive and comforting environment that mothers and babies deserve.

Individual Lactation Services

Breastfeeding Education and Groups

Antenatal Colostrum Collection by Hand Expressing

Current research supports the safety of antenatal hand expressing of colostrum due to its potential benefit of supporting a mother whose goal is to exclusively breastfeed her baby. Expressed colostrum can be used for supplementation when needed.

Antenatal colostrum collecting may be medically indicated for you and your baby in the following scenarios:

• Have diabetes of any kind (colostrum stabilizes blood sugars more than formula)
• Are taking beta blockers to control high blood pressure
• Had previous breast surgery
• Had history of low milk supply

Or if baby has:

• Sibling with history of high jaundice levels requiring supplementation
• Known cleft lip or palate
• Congenital conditions such as Down syndrome or cardiac complications

Expressing colostrum is ONLY recommended after 36 weeks and in low-risk pregnancies. Always consult with your physician or midwife before initiating.

The following references can help you get started. If you decide you would like to begin collection, storage syringes can be obtained at our office:

• https://www.moremilksooner.com/videos
• https://www.llli.org/the-benefits-of-antenatal-colostrum-harvesting/
• https://abm.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/ABM-antenatal-expressing.pdf
• https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/antenatal-expression-colostrum

Childbirth Care Classes

West Suburban Women's Health offers preparation classes for expectant parents to help provide parents with a more realistic, knowledgeable and ultimately more enjoyable experience. We've taught thousands of women to coordinate their minds and bodies during labor and birth and helped spouses and support people understand their important role in ensuring success.

Preparing for your baby's birth should be fun and interesting. Classes at West Suburban Women's Health have been intentionally designed so families can choose as few or as many classes as they would like to take. They are specifically designed for our group of physicians and midwives.

Often touted as our "most fun" classes, these fun and interactive programs cover the specifics of newborn care, including bathing, temperature-taking, newborn reflexes and behavior, common newborn appearances, diapering, swaddling and soothing, feeding techniques and more.

Childbirth Education Group Classes

Attend 4 childbirth classes for the discounted price of $165.

Newborn Care Group Classes