Mount Sinai patients share their unique breastfeeding journeys

Having the right supports in place is important to create a solid foundation for a positive breast/chestfeeding journey. As leaders in perinatal health, Mount Sinai Hospital’s Women’s and Infants’ Health program cares for a wide range of patients, who sometimes require specialized infant feeding support. 

Patients can often have thoughts, feelings, questions or concerns around feeding their baby. For this reason, “it is important to support patients and families throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum so that they can achieve their infant feeding goals,” says Emily Fung, clinical nurse specialist for the mother-baby program at Mount Sinai Hospital.

At Mount Sinai, antenatal lactation consultants collaborate with patients to identify their infant feeding goals, and multidisciplinary teams facilitate immediate skin-to-skin after birth, early initiation of breast/chestfeeding, and expression or pumping. 

Working as an obstetrics nurse, Catherine Angotti knew the importance of breastfeeding, as well as the challenges that can come with it. 

“Before my baby’s birth, I always planned at giving [breastfeeding] a go as I knew it would be beneficial for us both,” says Catherine. “Mount Sinai helped me reach my breastfeeding goals in different ways.” 

Establishing a continuity of care, Mount Sinai offers postpartum classes led by the Postnatal Ambulatory Clinic, to support families once they are discharged. Parents with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are also offered tailored support, with dedicated NICU lactation consultants.  

Chandelle Staley was a recipient of these dedicated resources.

“My infant feeding goals changed right away when my son Oliver was first born and admitted to the Mount Sinai NICU,” says Chandelle. “He was too small to breastfeed, but I was eager to establish my breastmilk supply to support his growing needs … all of the [NICU] staff were very supportive.” 

The Frances Bloomberg Centre for Women's & Infants' Health is internationally recognized for its evidence-based research, that allows teams offer innovative treatments to patients. 

Learn more about infant feeding at Mount Sinai Hospital.