• For an appointment with the Lactation Consultant, contact the pediatrics department at: 510-498-2800.
  
• For phone advice, you may contact Gail directly at: 510-498-2146 -- Messages will be returned Tuesday through Friday.
  
• For urgent questions call the Advice Nurse at 510-498-2850.
  
• Contact your insurance company to determine if this is a reimbursable service under your plan.
  
• Lactation consulting services are available in Palo Alto with Lactation Consultant Joanna Koch.

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New mothers often find that breastfeeding is not an instinctive process, and they need help learning to keep their baby properly nourished and satisfied. In an effort to help East Bay mothers overcome the challenges associated with breastfeeding, PAMF's Fremont Center Department of Pediatrics offers lactation consulting services with Lactation Consultant Gail Fiock, R.N.

Fiock, who was previously an advice nurse at the Palo Alto Clinic for three years and has been an R.N. for 18 years, became a lactation consultant after her own experiences with delivery and breastfeeding left her feeling that the health care system was not meeting her needs as a new mother. "When I had my own children, I was not pleased with the quality of care I received," Fiock said. "I really felt that new moms needed better care and more educational tools."

The Program

Fremont's lactation program is modeled after the lactation consultation services offered at the Palo Alto Clinic, which is run by Lactation Consultant Joanna Koch. Fiock is available to see patients noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Patients can either call her or set up an appointment for an individual, 1 hour consult and two follow-up visits for a fee. (The fee may be waived based on individual financial need.)

Why get help?

"Low milk supply and pain are the two most common complaints I hear from breastfeeding moms," she said. "Women are often concerned that they are not producing enough milk to adequately feed their babies. Many experience pain, which is a red flag that something is wrong."

Flock works with a new mom to:

• Make sure the baby's latch is okay
  
• Improve her milk flow
  
• Ensure she is not in pain
  
• Ensure she is not experiencing nipple damage
  
• Help reduce breast engorgement
  
• Improve the baby's weight gain while breastfeeding
  
• Ensure the baby is getting enough milk
  
• Use a breast pump

Reaching Out

Fiock said that she will call new mothers, whose babies are patients of the Fremont Center's Department of Pediatrics, within the first two weeks of delivery to find out if they are having any problems breastfeeding or have any specific issues to discuss. "New moms often feel they have nowhere to turn because they think they should instinctively know how to properly breastfeed their baby," she said. However, breastfeeding is a skill that needs to be taught, Fiock added.

"Watch your baby, they are your best teacher," she said. "If things are not going well, get help, you deserve it!"

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