Breastfeeding Services

At MUSC Health, we believe that the best way to help families meet their feeding goals is through education and support; we truly believe that any amount of human milk provided to a baby is precious.

MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital & Pearl Tourville Women's Pavilion is a Baby Friendly Designated hospital.

For questions, call our Lactation Warmline at 843-792-0410.

Lactation Services

  • Lactation consultations for those who are experiencing feeding difficulties; including sore nipples, neonatal hypoglycemia, engorgement, and low milk supply.
  • Lactation consultations for families that have hospitalized newborns in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), General Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiac ICU and Heart Center.
  • Our lactation consultants can collaborate with MUSC physicians to assist with the medical management of common lactation concerns, including plugged ducts, mastitis, history of breast surgeries, etc.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby

  • Breastmilk is always warm and ready, even in disaster situations.
  • Breastmilk is the ideal nutrition for your baby, supporting optimal growth and development.
  • Breastfeeding encourages a special bond between mother and baby.
  • Breastfeeding decreases the risk of:
    • Respiratory and ear infections
    • Gastrointestinal infections including Diarrhea and vomiting
    • Leukemia
    • Asthma
    • SIDS

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Birth Parent

  • Breastfeeding decreases risk for postpartum depression and anxiety.
  • Breastfeeding decreases the risk of:
    • Cardiovascular disease
    • Diabetes
    • Breast and reproductive cancers

Need a breast pump?

Visit the gift shop at Shawn Jenkin’s Children’s Hospital to rent a hospital-grade pump.

Hours of Operations

Monday through Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Contact: 843-985-1094

What to Know about Infant Sleep

"It's important for parents, caregivers, families, and friends to understand that at this age, a good sleeper is a child who wakes up frequently but can get himself back to sleep. It is not a child who sleeps without waking for 10 hours at night. Frequent waking is developmentally appropriate and allows the baby to wake up when he is in a situation in which he is not getting enough oxygen or is having problems breathing. Sleeping undisturbed for prolonged periods at this age is not healthy."

Source: Sleep: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics)

Community Resources

List of Community Resources (PDF)

Educational Resources

Postpartum Support

Lactation Resources for Providers