Breastfeeding Support

Tenet Health Central Coast is proud that both Twin Cities Community Hospital and Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center are internationally recognized as Baby-Friendly birth facilities by Baby-Friendly USA. This achievement means we are using some of the most effective methods known to help mothers succeed at breastfeeding, such as skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn. The staff also encourages new families to room-in, meaning that parents and baby remain together in the same room throughout their hospital stay. Both of these practices encourage bonding and improve a baby’s ability to breastfeed. Studies also show that immediate skin-to-skin contact help newborns’ maintain their temperatures better, normalize heart and breathing rates and reduce their likeliness of crying.

Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for newborns, and has many health benefits for both babies and mothers. As a Baby-Friendly hospital, Tenet Health Central Coast is committed to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as outlined by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and provides lactation consultants to offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

Lactation Services

Certified lactation consultants visit each mother-baby couplet daily during their stay at the hospital. These one-on-one visits provide individualized support and encouragement to help establish breastfeeding early-on and continue a successful breastfeeding experience at home.

Breastfeeding Clinic

If additional breastfeeding support is needed once a family has gone home, outpatient lactation services are available at the Twin Cities Lactation Clinic (whether you delivered at Twin Cities or elsewhere). Together, you and one of our experienced Board Certified Lactation Consultants will address any nursing problems or concerns in a private and nurturing environment. The lactation consultant will be able to tell you how much milk your baby is getting, evaluate your breastfeeding technique, help alleviate pain and provide guidance. Fathers, grandparents and other family members and/or support persons are welcome to attend with you.

Please do not feed your baby for 90-minutes prior to your appointment in order to allow for a complete evaluation.

Most insurances accepted. Please call (805) 546-7777 ext 3 for more info or to schedule an appt.

The Twin Cities Outpatient Lactation Clinic is located on the 3rd floor in the Birth & Baby Center, but you must register in the Outpatient Diagnostic Center located on the 1st floor of the main hospital through Driveway A. Please arrive 15-minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete paperwork. 

Breastfeeding Support LineIf you have questions about breastfeeding or would like to talk to a lactation consultant about our lactation clinic, feel free to call the Twin Cities Breastfeeding Support Line at (805) 434-4644 or the Sierra Vista Breastfeeding Support Line at (805) 546-7939. Messages will be returned in a timely manner.