Lactation Consultation Services: Fremont

• For an appointment with the lactation consultant, contact the Pediatrics Department at 510-498-2800.
• For phone advice, you may contact Gail Fiock, R.N., IBCLC, directly at 510-498-2146. Messages will be returned as soon as possible.
• For urgent questions call the advice nurse at 510-498-2850.
• Remember to contact your insurance company to determine if this is a reimbursable service under your plan.

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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., IBCLC.

Ms. Fiock was previously an advice nurse at the Palo Alto Center for three years and has been an R.N. since 1986. She became a lactation consultant after working in maternal-child nursing and perinatal education. Her philosophy is to meet each mother's individual breastfeeding goals and to deliver kind and competent care to families throughout the breastfeeding experience. Each mother and baby couple is unique and deserves support so babies can be well-fed and mothers can be comfortable and happy with this process.

The Program

Fremont's lactation program is modeled after the lactation consultation services offered at the Palo Alto Center, which is run by Lactation Consultant Joanna Koch, IBCLC. Patients can either call her for advice or set up an appointment for an individual, one 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," Ms. Fiock says. "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."

Ms. Fiock 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

New mothers (whose babies are patients of the Fremont Center's Department of Pediatrics) should feel free to call with questions or concerns if you are having any problems breastfeeding.

"New moms often feel they have nowhere to turn because they think they should instinctively know how to properly breastfeed their baby," she says. "However, breastfeeding is a skill that needs to be learned. Watch your baby because he/she is your best teacher. If things are not going well, get help – you deserve it!"

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