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Palo Alto Lactation Services: Breastfeeding Help for You and Your Baby

For an appointment with the PAMF lactation consultant at the Palo Alto Center, contact the Pediatrics Department at 650-853-2992
For phone advice at the Palo Alto Center, you may contact Joanna Koch, IBCLC, directly at 650-967-8715 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Remember to contact your insurance company to determine if this is reimbursable service under your plan.

Breastfeeding is a normal, natural and healthy process. However, new parents often feel overwhelmed during the first days and weeks of parenting as they learn to interpret their babies cues and meet their needs. New moms often feel that though natural, breast feeding is not instinctive at all and can be quite challenging at first.

The goal of our lactation consultants is to support new moms during the early weeks of mothering as they learn to feed babies comfortably and successfully. They say that their own personal experiences as mothers, as a postpartum nurse and advise nurse, are what led them to this field and their desire to help new moms learn how to nurse their babies and navigate the often confusing early days of parenting.

When to call for help:

If breastfeeding is difficult, uncomfortable or exhausting
If baby is not gaining weight as expected
If mom or baby have any medical challenges: prematurity, jaundice, mom and baby separation after birth, breast surgery or other medical conditions

What is a Certified Lactation Consultant?

A Certified Lactation Consultant is a specialist in breastfeeding with skills necessary to help families from birth through weaning. A lactation consultant works with your family and your baby's doctor to develop an effective feeding plan tailored to your baby.

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (I.B.C.L.C.) is an individual who has achieved the high levels of clinical and theoretical knowledge required to practice competently and safely in the breastfeeding field. A minimum of 2,500 hours of breastfeeding counseling experience are required prior to certification.

New parents have many questions about breastfeeding – a lactation consultant can help. Common questions are:

How do I help my baby latch onto my breast?
Why does my baby fall asleep at my breast and then cry when I put him/her down?
How can I prevent or cure painful nipples?
How can I reduce breast engorgement?
How can my baby gain more weight while breastfeeding?
How do I know when my baby is hungry?
How can I increase my milk supply?
How can the father help?
How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
What should I do if my baby sleeps too much?
When should I introduce a bottle of breast milk?
How do I express milk by hand?
Should I use a breast pump?
How can I tell if my baby is sucking correctly?
Should I use a pacifier? Formula supplements?

Joanna Koch, IBCLC, has been working since 1987 with breastfeeding families in our community. She adopts a flexible approach and will develop a practical feeding plan for your baby. You will quickly recognize her special ability to build your confidence in feeding your baby. She firmly believes that feeding a baby should be a pleasant experience for all involved and works with families to achieve that goal. Palo Alto Medical Foundation pediatric and family practice physicians provide necessary medical backup.