Lactation Services:

Bethesda Breastfeeding, LLC is a local lactation home health service offering a vital link for breastfeeding support. The owner and founder, Kathy McCue, is both a family nurse practitioner and board certified lactation consultant who specializes in “The Newborn Visit” as well as all other aspects of breastfeeding, prenatally to weaning. She has over 25 years of experience working with mothers.

Kathy offers an established lactation support program for mothers who need further guidance and consultation to ensure a successful breastfeeding experience. Most babies are born knowing how to suck, but not always knowing how to suck properly at the breast, and most mothers are not quite sure how to go about helping the baby learn. Usually, new mothers appreciate some help and encouragement at the beginning to develop a successful nursing relationship.

Lactation consultants have extensive training and experience in all aspects of the breastfeeding process including:
• Anatomy of the breast
• Physiology of lactation
• Biochemistry of human milk
• Management of the mother/infant nursing couple
• Maternal/infant nutrition
• Breastfeeding complications
• Drugs in breastmilk
• Allergies and breastfeeding

Most mothers encounter breastfeeding difficulties at one point or another.

These difficulties include but are not limited to:
• Poor infant weight gain
• Low milk supply
• Nipple soreness
• Engorgement
• Jaundice
• Latch difficulty
• Nipple confusion/preference
• Premature infants
• Mastitis
• Plugged ducts
• Breastfeeding multiples
• Moms returning to work

At the family’s home, private practice consultants are able to form a more personal relationship with the mother-baby couple. In preparation for the visit, the mother is encouraged to think of herself still as a patient. She is not expected to dress up and is encouraged to not worry about a clean house or to think of me as a visitor. Being on your home turf can create a more realistic and comfortable learning environment making it easier to recreate the nursing session.

Other family members invited by the mother are all welcome to participate. Mothers are often stressed and tired and not able to take in all the information taught at this visit. Having a "scribe" as well as an extra pair of ears is always preferred.

All Home Visits Will Include:
• Observation and assessment of breastfeeding technique
• Complete assessment of both mother and baby
• Tips for clinical management of breastfeeding
• Assisting mothers who are experiencing difficulty breastfeeding
• Increasing the mother’s feeling of competence regarding proper breastfeeding technique.
• Increasing the mother's and family's knowledge of breastfeeding protocol

Limited follow-up phone calls are taken at no additional charge.

Great Expressions also has breastfeeding supplies available to buy and rent.

These supplies include:
• Hospital-grade electric pumps and kits
• Hand pumps
• Nipple shields
• Hydrogel dressings
• Specialized feeders and supplementers
• Instruction related to pumping, storing and freezing breast milk are included with all rentals or purchases.

Visa and Master card are accepted

Kathy, As always, I'm so appreciative of your help. You are still my favorite Baby Whisperer by far…
- Karen, Rockville, MD