Use our South Carolina Lactation Resource Map to find lactation support that you need: Baby-Friendly Hospitals, Independent Lactation Providers, Pediatric and OBGyn Offices with Lactation support, Donor Milk Depots, Support Groups, and Safe Spaces to Breastfeed.
FIND BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY PEOPLE AND PLACES IN South Carolina
Breastfeeding is made possible by wide community support. South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition is committed to helping you identify breastfeeding friendly people and places in South Carolina, South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition Friendly Community Partners pledge to support their employees and customers.
Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designated Programs Listing
Find a private place to breastfeed or pump on the go: Check out Mamava Pod locations. Please be aware that this is your choice, you can breastfeed anywhere you are allowed to be in South Carolina.
MEET BREASTFEEDING PEERS
On-going peer and professional support is crucial to breastfeeding success. To find support near you, reach out to La Leche League, Mocha Mammas Milk, local breastfeeding clinics, pediatric practices, and your local WIC Clinic (the Women, Infants, & Children Program) near you.
Get Help over The phone
Office of Women’s Health (800) 994-9662 (9am – 6pm M-F)
Local hospitals with labor and delivery facilities usually have lactation consultants available during the daytime hours.
The Women, Infants, and Children’s program also has lactation consultants on staff.
Pediatric Offices often have lactation consultants available or they can refer to an independent consultant.
Donate Milk
Donate milk to MUSC’s Mother’s Milk Bank of South Carolina. Find Milk Depots on our SC Breastfeeding Resources Map.
FIND HELP IN A DISASTER OR EMERGENCY
South Carolina is prone to Disasters/Emergencies. Feeding your child your milk becomes even more important as the risk of infection can increase due to crowded conditions and lack of sanitation.
Breastfeeding helps infants and toddlers remain healthy during disasters. Mothers who are breastfeeding may need help and support to continue. Find resources and information at United States Breastfeeding Committee: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/emergencies
LINK TO INFORMATION FOR RETURNING TO WORK
Going back to work is a major challenge for breastfeeding families. Find resources at the links below. Consider contacting a Lactation Consultant to help you develop a personalized plan.
Business Case for breastfeeding https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-home-work-and-public/breastfeeding-and-going-back-work/business-case
Womens health.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-home-work-and-public/breastfeeding-and-going-back-work
See our Web page about the Laws that protect breastfeeding employees
GET HELP WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
For years, postpartum mental health challenges were not addressed. Now, South Carolina has a network of support specializing in helping mothers in this vulnerable time of life. Obstetricians and Lactation Consultants are often able to help or refer to local resources, in addition, postpartum support groups are becoming more common and telehealth is accessible statewide.
In the lactation world, Kathleen Kendall Tackett, PhD, IBCLC, has done the most work on breastfeeding and postpartum connection. Hand-outs can be found at http://praeclaruspress.com/white-papers/
Find a breastpump
Many private insurance companies and Medicaid organizations provide breast pumps as part of their plan (see breastfeeding laws).
During your hospital stay, you may be able to use a hospital-grade breast pump and take a hand-pump home with you.
If you qualify for, and participate in the Women, Infants, and Children Program and choose the breastfeeding food package, you may be eligible to receive a pump.
Local hospitals and, sometimes, lactation clinics or specialty “mother and baby” stores often rent or sell pumps.
Get Help at WIC
The Women, Infant and Children’s program administered by South Carolina DHEC offers supplemental nutrition, information and support for Breastfeeding Women and their infants up to a year. Find help here