Memorial offers highly skilled team, services and classes to support breastfeeding

Designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, Memorial Medical Center takes great pride in supporting new mothers in breastfeeding and bonding with their babies. Our team is specially trained in breastfeeding support and newborn care, and we have lactation consultants on staff to assist new mothers with breastfeeding.

In addition to high-quality inpatient lactation support for infants and families in postpartum, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and pediatrics, Memorial offers individualized outpatient lactation consultations after discharge, as needed.

Our team answers breastfeeding phone calls and provides guidance for mothers needing lactation support services once at home. Individual outpatient appointments are also available for anyone with breastfeeding-related concerns by calling 575-521-5393. When patients call, our lactation counselors will discuss questions and concerns over the phone, and appointments can be set up if an in-person consult is needed.

Memorial’s highly qualified Lactation Team  

• Alana Rivera, RN, Certified Clinical Lactationist (CCL). Alana graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from New Mexico State University and has served as a labor and delivery/post-partum nurse for 12 years.
• Andrea Cathey, RN, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) 
• Raelyn Gardner, RN, Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Raelyn graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from New Mexico State University and has worked in labor and delivery for eight years, two years as a nurse. 
• Colette Wilson, RN, Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Colette has been a NICU nurse since 2012.
• Jaspinder Kaur, RN, BSN, Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC).

Monthly breastfeeding classes offered for further support

Breastfeeding Basics, for parents-to-be or new mothers seeking assistance, is currently being offered monthly through a virtual format due to COVID restrictions on gatherings. The next classes are scheduled for May 1, June 5 and July 10. Additional event details and signup information on Eventbrite can be found both on Memorial’s online event calendar and on MMC’s Facebook page.

Topics will be covered during the class include:

• Why breastfeeding is an important choice
• Understanding milk production
• Human milk vs. formula
• What to expect when you deliver
• Breastfeeding how-to
• Common concerns