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History of the Lactation ProgramOriginally established in 1985, The Lactation Program was the first dedicated breastfeeding clinic in Colorado and among the first of its kind in the nation. Devoted to providing breastfeeding families with skilled assistance for overcoming breastfeeding problems, The Lactation Program is sponsored by The Colorado Health Foundation and is located on the Rose Medical Center campus. The program was co-founded by pediatrician, Marianne R. Neifert, M.D., and Joy M. Seacat, PhD, PA, RN In the early 1980s, the two colleagues were strong breastfeeding advocates and experienced nursing mothers, who increasingly were being contacted by breastfeeding women seeking help with lactation difficulties. As U.S. breastfeeding rates began to climb following decades of predominant bottle-feeding, few medical professionals were trained in the practical management of breastfeeding. Recognizing a large, unmet need for specialized lactation services, Drs. Neifert and Seacat co-founded The Lactation Program to serve as a model of comprehensive breastfeeding clinical services, education, and research. Initially, the Program was part of the innovative Women’s Services Department at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, and continued at P/SL until the late 1990s. During that period, The Program offered both in-patient and out-patient consultative services, breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies, a telephone advice line, professional and parent education, as well as clinical research. In 1998, The Lactation Program became a community non-profit entity, sponsored by The Colorado Health Foundation. The Program’s primary clinical focus is the management of breastfeeding difficulties in the out-patient setting. While in-patient breastfeeding services now are routinely offered at maternity hospitals, few resources exist to help women overcome breastfeeding difficulties that arise following hospital discharge. Many physicians acknowledge that they are inadequately prepared to effectively counsel breastfeeding mothers, and time constraints in the primary care setting keep practitioners from undertaking the in-depth evaluation of breastfeeding complaints. The Lactation Program offers unique, essential and compassionate expertise to enable women to overcome their breastfeeding challenges that lead to early weaning. By helping mothers and infants reap the compelling health benefits of breastfeeding, the ultimate result is not only healthier individuals, it is a healthier Colorado. In addition to providing patient consultations, The Lactation Program remains dedicated to educating health professionals in the clinical management of routine breastfeeding and lactation difficulties. As health professionals increase their knowledge about practical aspects of breastfeeding, they will be better equipped to counsel nursing mothers and effectively promote and sustain breastfeeding. About our Medical ConsultantMarianne R. Neifert, MD, the co-founder and Medical Consultant to The Lactation Program, is a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in breastfeeding management. She is a founding member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, a member of the Health Advisory Council of La Leche League International, past Director of the Colorado Breastfeeding Task Force, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding. Dr. Neifert has published numerous articles in the medical literature on breastfeeding management and has lectured to health professionals on the topic of breastfeeding in 46 states and 5 foreign countries. Widely known as Dr. Mom®, Dr. Neifert provides education for parents nation-wide through speaking engagements, media appearances, and articles in parenting magazines. She is the author of four parenting books, including Dr. Mom’s Guide to Breastfeeding and has been a guest on countless radio shows and numerous national television programs, including the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, 20/20, and CNN. |
The Lactation Program is a non-profit
community |
Amy Lutz, RN, IBCLC, Director |
4600 Hale Parkway, Suite 140 |