About The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
A Comprehensive, Professional Service for All of Your Breastfeeding Needs
Barbara Robertson, IBCLC, MA is pleased to announce the opening of The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor, located at the Center for the Childbearing Year, April 2008!
Mission Statement
Our mission is “to provide mothers and babies with professional and compassionate breastfeeding care and support. This will be based upon the most accurate, up-to-date research and best practices available as board certified lactation consultants.” The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor offers a place where mothers can be with their babies and meet other like-minded women.
The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor is committed to providing everything a breastfeeding family might need: education, community, consultations, post-natal support groups, a human milk depot for helping other babies, and lastly, if needed, retail.
What Services Are Available?
- Private breastfeeding consults
- in the hospital
- at home
- in the office
- Breastfeeding education
- for parents
- for professionals
- Intensive follow-up care for all clients
- Phone support
- Postnatal support groups
- Back-to-work classes
- Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor
- Corporate lactation programs
- Professional mentoring
- Breastfeeding retail support — breast pumps, the largest collection of nursing bras in the area, and other supplies at reasonable prices
The Breastfeeding Center’s retail space is open from 10am to 2pm on Monday, Friday, and Saturday, also by appointment. Come and check out our nursing bras, breast pumps, and other items a breastfeeding family might want!
We happily accept cash, check, Visa, and Mastercharge.
We are located at 722 Brooks, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, along with the Center for Childbearing Year and the Doulas Care Program.
To contact us call: (734) 975-6534
Breastfeeding Consults
The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
“You made me feel like I knew what I was doing at a time when I couldn’t have felt more frazzled . . . You made me feel it was okay to just be mommy, and that my problems with breastfeeding did not indicate that I was failing as a parent . . . You helped me with mothering, and that is something I could not have paid you to do.”
– Mother with sore nipples
What is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (I.B.C.L.C.) and why is certification important?
The IBCLC Certification is the only professional standard of competency in the lactation field. It is the official, international credential for those in the breastfeeding and lactation field. A combination of basic training, continuing education, practice with mothers and babies, and successful completion of the examination assures that the designation, IBCLC, identifies a member of the health care team who posses the specialized skills and knowledge. There are now approximately 16,500 IBCLCs worldwide. — adapted from IBCLC Press release, Falls Church, October 15, 2004. For more info, contact the International Lactation Consultant Association: www.ilca.org
Why would I need to see a Lactation Consultant?
Breastfeeding can be challenging in the beginning! Producing breastmilk is natural, breastfeeding is a learned behavior. You might have baby who won’t latch, be worried about milk supply, have a baby who cries all the time, have sore nipples or breasts, or just want to make sure everything is okay. By having a board-certified lactation consultant on your side, breastfeeding is more likely to be successful.
Does every breastfeeding mother need to see a lactation consultant?
No. If mother is comfortable and the baby is getting plenty of milk, then they are all ready successful!
What does a private lactation consultation consists of?
A private consult using The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor consists of:
- Compassionate care
- Full medical history
- Physical exam of mother’s breasts and baby
- Pre and post test weights to determine milk transfer during feed
- Thorough evaluation of feeding
- Written care plan
- Report faxed to health care provider
- Follow-up phone support and, if needed, follow-up visits at a lower fee
An initial consultation will take about one and a half hours to get a complete understanding of your breastfeeding needs.
A private consult seems expensive, do I really need to do this?
I know, it does seem expensive! However, baby formula costs at least $150.00 per month for at least 12 months if breastfeeding doesn’t work out. So, in fact, by investing in a board certified lactation consultant, you are really saving money over the long term! Lactation consultants at The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor are highly trained, board certified health care professionals. Anyone can call themselves a lactation consultant, so be sure that whoever you might hire to help you has reached these high standards.
Breastfeeding is not all about technical skills! Sometimes what a mother needs is someone to listen to her and support her during tough times. Here are some things mothers have said about Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC:
“I wanted to thank you for all of your help and advice and encouragement during our nursing trials. The baby is almost a year now and has been nursing like a champ since we last saw you.”
– Mother of a baby born at 24 weeks
“Thank you for your on-going support and encouragement. You’ve shown me great kindness and I always feel better after talking to you.”
– Mother of a baby who would not latch at first
Please call The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor for availability and pricing.
(734) 975-6534
Help for Working Moms
The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
As a breastfeeding mom returning to work you might feel a bit overwhelmed. Let us help you out! We have the support, education, and retail products you might need. Research has shown that mothers who feel comfortable and confident about their returning to work plans have the highest success rates.
Services Available:
Going Back to Work Class- This class is purposefully limited to a small number of attendees. The small group format not only allows for basic working and breastfeeding information to be shared but also lets each mother have time to talk about her concerns, fears, and logistics of her work situation. As a group, we will help all the mothers feel they have the strongest returning to work plan possible. The class is only $30.00 for a 2 and 1/2 hours session.
Support groups- Monday mornings “Mothering Arts” meets from 10 am until 11:30. This great group of women work through a series of topics that concern all new mothers. Join Barbara Robertson and Cia Gabriel in laughter and tears. A great deal, 8 weeks of class for only $60.00! Also, meeting in the Breastfeeding Center is a drop in support group for breastfeeding moms. This group is much more informal and chats about breastfeeding topics. It meets from 10am to 11:30am on Fridays. Check out “Classes for Parents” for more details.
One on one private going back to work consultations- We will meet with you to discuss your particular needs. Sometimes class times are not convenient or you feel your needs will be better served in a private consultation. Partners and/or other caregivers are welcome to join us as well so all of the people involved can be part of the problem solving process.
Retail support- We have tried very hard to think of all the things a working mom might need.
Breast pumps- Most working moms prefer to pump when they are away from their babies.
Hands free nursing bras- We have many nursing bras and several hands free nursing bras in a wide variety of sizes.
Bottles- We carry only the top choices of bottles that are the safest for our babies.
Other things- Things to help with leaking, pumping, cleaning.
When you think of working and breastfeeding, think of
The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor!
Contact us: 9734)975-6534
726 Brooks Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Monday, Friday, and Saturday 10am-2pm
Corporate Lactation Program
The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
Comprehensive professional lactation support services for the corporate environment — helping breastfeeding mothers go back to work
“We are committed to helping mothers develop plans to return to work or school while keeping the breastfeeding relationship intact.”
Benefits to employers who support breastfeeding:
- Employee loyalty and attraction
- Lower health care costs
- 36% fewer infant illnesses in the first three years of life
- 2/3 fewer middle-ear infections in the first three years of life
- Less absenteeism — babies are sick less so moms are in the office, not at home!
- Improved work place satisfaction — mothers who feel an employer cares about their family is more likely to be happy and productive at work
- Financial benefits to employers include savings of $1.50–$4.50 for every $1.00 spent
- Demonstrates employer’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility — breastfeeding lowers resource consumption and produces less waste compared to formula feeding
- Shows action to support breastfeeding
Corporate packages
Employers can choose from the following services to create a unique package for breastfeeding mothers returning to work:
- Work place assessments. We will help you plan lactation support in the work environment.
- Back-to-work classes. A good plan and confidence (and a good pump!) are all a mother needs to be successful in breastfeeding and returning to work.
- Prenatal breastfeeding classes. Mothers who have accurate medical information and confidence in themselves are most successful.
- Postnatal in-home consult. This can help a mother be sure she is off to the best start or help her solve any breastfeeding problems.
- Intensive follow-up care for all clients
- Phone support
- Postnatal support groups. Mothers who meet with other mothers are more likely to stay with breastfeeding.
- Supplies. Pumps and supplies at reasonable prices that a breastfeeding mother returning to work might need.
Questions? Call Barbara Robertson, (734) 975-6534
Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor
Located in The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
Are you a breastfeeding mother with more milk than your baby needs?
If so, please contact:
The Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor
for Bronson Hospital’s Mother’s Milk Bank
Human milk provides optimal nutrition, promotes normal growth and development, and reduces the risk of illness and disease. In situations where mothers’ own milk is not available, provision of pasteurized, screened donor milk is the next best option, particularly for ill, or high-risk infants. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding as the optimal infant feeding choice, mother’s own milk pumped as second choice, pasteurized banked human milk as the third choice, and lastly, if no other choices are available, artificial baby milk. The Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor and the Bronson Mother’s Milk Bank operate under the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
What is a milk bank?
A donor human milk bank welcomes a mother’s extra milk. A human milk bank carefully screens healthy breastfeeding women and accepts their donations of surplus milk. The milk is then pasteurized and tested to make sure that no bacteria exist, and frozen until it is prescribed by a physician for a baby in need.
Who donates their milk?
Milk donors are the foundation of our milk depot. Donors are healthy women who set aside time to express extra milk for the good of other babies. Donors must have a healthy lifestyle and be willing to have blood tests to rule out infectious diseases.
How can I become a milk donor?
Donating to the Human Milk Depot of Ann Arbor is easy! The first step is a preliminary screening which can be done with Barbara or Amy. Next is a more in-depth phone screening with Bronson Hospital and a simple blood test. Finally, pick up your supplies, pump, and drop off your milk! Drop off hours are Monday, Friday, or Saturday between 10am and 2pm. If this is not convenient, you can make an appointment with Barbara or Amy.
Help babies get the optimal nutrition from your extra milk!
Mothers who would like more information or to donate their milk can call Barbara at The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor (734) 975-6534 or Amy (734) 945-4765
On-site Store
The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
Breastfeeding should be free!
But sometimes reality gets in the way of this ideal. If a mother and baby are having problems with breastfeeding, some money might need to be spent. There are so many breastfeeding products on the market it can be confusing for parents. Which ones should they choose? I say, do some research on-line. Then go and check out what there is. In our store, we offer only high quality products that have stood the test of time and gained the respect of mothers and lactation consultants.
In addition, when a breastfeeding mother returns to work, she will need a pump and some bottles. We have put together a collection of products that we hope clients will love as much as moms have before them.
Come and relax in our store! Enjoy the expert, personal attention that is sometimes needed in choosing just the right product for you. All of our staff have been trained to assist a mother to pick out exactly what she needs. Also, the staff has earned the Medela bra fitting certification, so you can be assured that the bra will be a good fit and feel comfortable as your body continues to change.
Feel the difference of quality services and competitive pricing!
Products available including an extensive Medela collection:
- Medela pumps (Also available by appointment.)
- Nursing bras- Widest variety in area! Over 14 styles to choose from, we want you to have a perfect fit!
- Nursing tanks- Three different brands
- Herbs for increasing or decreasing your milk supplies
- Breast pads
- Bottles
- Breastfeeding pillows
- Breastfeeding books
- Replacement pump parts
- And much more!
The Breastfeeding Center’s retail space is be open for business from 10am to 2pm, Monday, Friday, and Saturday. Breastfeeding consultations and pump sales are available by appointment, just leave a message on our answering machine if the store isn’t open.
Join us, have a cup of tea, and check out our nursing bras, breast pumps, and other things a breastfeeding family might want or need!
We happily accept Visa, Master Card, personal checks, and, of course, cash!
We are located at 726 Brooks, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, with the Center for Childbearing Year and the Doulas Care Program.
To contact us call: (734) 975-6534
Breastfeeding Classes & Support Groups
Breastfeeding Basics — Tools for Success
With Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC
2008 Schedule & Fees
2 Wednesdays, 6:30–8:45pm
- September 10 & 17
- November 5 & 12
- December 10 & 17
Saturday, 12:30–5pm, October 25
Fee $60 per couple; discounts for multiple classes
Overview
The breastfeeding relationship combines instinct and learned skills. This class focuses on the first critical weeks of your baby’s life and provides basic information and resources to prepare the mother-to-be for a satisfying breastfeeding experience. Since family support is a key factor in a positive breastfeeding experience, partners are also encouraged to attend.
Topics
- getting started
- latching and positioning the baby
- overcoming common obstacles such as engorgement
- learning your baby’s hunger cues
- developing realistic expectations around breastfeeding
- when and where to seek help
Combining Work & Breastfeeding
With Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC
2008 Schedule & Fees
- Wednesday, 10am–12:30pm, September 10
- Thursday, 6:30–9pm, November 20
Fee $30; discounts for multiple classes
At what point postpartum should a breastfeeding mother begin to plan for her return to work? With the help of a lactation consultant, design a personal plan to address your unique return-to-work situation and family needs. Our goal is that your re-entry to the workplace will be as stress free as possible, for both you and your baby. We will discuss strategies for introducing the bottle to your baby and managing schedules, types of breast pumps, the experience of pumping, safe storage of breast milk, and more. Nursing babies are welcome or the class can be taken prior to birth if desired.
Breastfeeding Cafe for Breastfeeding Mothers
2008 Schedule & Fees
Starting Friday, September 12, 10–11:30am, ongoing
Fee: No charge; pre-registration is not required; just come!
Come and meet other women who are breastfeeding their babies! This free drop-in group focuses on supporting breastfeeding mothers. We provide a space for mothers to come and be with their babies and meet other breastfeeding mothers. Have a cup of tea, relax, and chat with others about what’s on your mind! Support staff is available to answer any breastfeeding questions with accurate, up-to-date information. Moms and babies can come for as many weeks as they need.
Professional Education in Breastfeeding & Lactation
With Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC
“I feel more confident working with breastfeeding women, and will be a better observer and problem solver.” — Class Participant
“Barbara was so energetic and devoted to breastfeeding that it made me motivated to learn as much as possible. I wish every doula was trained by her and every mother received her care.” — Class Participant
2008 Schedule & Fees
NEW Addition! Thursday, 12:30–5pm, July 24
Saturday, 9am–1:30pm, November 22 (ERD 10/31)
Fee $75; $65 if paid in full and postmarked by the Early Registration Date (ERD) listed
4.0 Nursing CEs approved (add $15 to fee for CE processing)
If you haven’t taken this dynamic, cutting-edge workshop, then you are really missing out! Learn the very latest in evidenced-based breastfeeding support from an expert lactation consultant and breastfeeding educator. This class will enhance the ability of doulas, L&D nurses, and other professionals to assist their breastfeeding clients in the early days postpartum. You will learn the counseling skills necessary to assess and correct breastfeeding problems. This class fulfills both the breastfeeding training pre-requisite and a certification requirement for DONA Postpartum Doulas. It also fulfills the new certification requirement for Birth Doulas to take a breastfeeding class designed for professionals. Topics include:
- breast anatomy and physiology
- importance of skin-to-skin contact
- newborn self attachment at the breast
- a new view of positions and latch-on
- getting off to the best start
- common problems and their solutions
About Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC
Owner of The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
Barbara’s Professional Experience:
- Mother of two breastfed children
- More than 12 years experience working with mothers and babies, helping them resolve breastfeeding issues
- Current International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
- Over 20 years teaching experience with all ages, newborn to adult
- MA in Education
- BA in Education, Communication, and Children’s Literature
- Member in good standing:
- International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
- Michigan Association of Lactation Consultants (MALC)
- Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA)
- La Leche League International (LLLI)
Barbara has been involved in education for over 20 years. She received a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 1988 and her Masters in Education in 1995. Barbara left teaching elementary students in 1995 to raise her two children, Colin and Emily. Her children spurred her to become involved in La Leche League and, in 1998, she became a La Leche Leader. She enjoyed this work so much that she decided to sit for the International Lactation Consultant Exam and became a board certified lactation consultant. Barbara is the Director of The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor, on site at the Center for the Childbearing Year. She teaches breastfeeding classes for parents, runs support groups, trains professionals, and is in private practice as a lactation consultant. She loves working with mothers and babies, helping them with breastfeeding problems in whatever way she can.