Ochsner is devoted to creating an environment where mothers interested in breastfeeding their babies have the best support services available in the area. Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner Lactation Center provides the proper knowledge, education and tools to women interested in breastfeeding options.

Prenatal Consultation

Now is the time in your pregnancy to start thinking about breastfeeding your newborn. The Lactation Center offers FREE prenatal consultations to help you with your breastfeeding concerns or questions. Our certified lactation consultants will introduce you to the principles of breastfeeding. We will review your history, discuss community resources and develop an individualized care plan to establish breastfeeding. This is also a great opportunity to be properly fitted for a nursing bra.

For those mothers who plan on returning to work or school soon after giving birth, the lactation consultants can help develop individualized plans to ensure that new mothers and their babies don’t miss out on the opportunity to breastfeed. Consultations include the creation of a personalized plan and recommendations for the use of appropriate breast pumps. Please call 504-464-8345 to schedule your prenatal consultation.

Prenatal Breastfeeding Class

This class is designed to provide detailed information on the basics of breastfeeding. In a group setting you will learn the correct techniques for breastfeeding, how to begin breastfeeding while in the hospital and some anticipatory guidance for breastfeeding once you get home. Please call 504-464-8365 to register for a prenatal class.

Breastfeeding Consultations

For those times when telephone assistance just isn’t enough, lactation counselors are available for in person assistance. We can also work with you to devise a plan to continue breastfeeding once you go back to work. To make an appointment, please call 504-464-8345.

Breastfeeding Supplies

Breast pumps, breast pump parts and accessories, prenatal vitamins, lanolin, and more are available through the Lactation Center located at the Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner hospital. For those new mothers in need of a hospital grade pump or who would like to try pumping before purchasing a pump, hospital grade rentals are available. For more information, please call 504-464-8345.

Telephone Warm Line

Ochsner wants to offer continued assistance and support after you are discharged from the hospital. Should you have questions or concerns about breastfeeding, please call the Ochsner Lactation Warm Line at 504-464-8345. If you reach the recording, please leave a detailed message and a lactation consultant will return your call.

A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a highly specialized center for premature and special needs newborns and infants. Everyone on our staff is dedicated to the health and well being of your baby. To help newborns get healthy, out of the hospital system and into their homes with their parents sooner, techniques such as kangaroo care are employed (allowing skin-to-skin contact of a baby with its mother). These techniques have proven to decrease the length of the stay and promote infant-mother bonding while encouraging the mother to breast-feed her child.

To help put your mind at ease, Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner offers a NICU. Our Level 2 NICU is located adjacent to the Labor and Delivery unit. It is staffed by our experienced team of board certified neonatologists, providing the ultimate in safety and comfort for your new bundle of joy.