Breastfeeding Medicine Center & Clinic and Lactation Services

Overview

Breastfeeding has so many health benefits for you and your baby. Sometimes it can be challenging at first. You might feel nervous, excited and even scared, but keep in mind that every baby is different and all new parents will likely need some support in the beginning.

Our Breastfeeding Medicine physicians and lactation consultants are here to support you throughout your journey. We’re here to support you before your baby is born, while you’re in the hospital and after you go home. We can help you with various breastfeeding-related issues including:

• Latching difficulties
• Infant slow weight gain/failure to thrive
• Low milk production
• Oversupply, engorgement or plugged milk ducts
• Nipple pain or injury
• Breast and nipple infections
• Premature birth
• Medical conditions your baby has that could cause problems with breastfeeding
• Feeding twins/multiples
• Weaning
• Feeding following maternal chest surgery
• Pumping and/or returning to work
• Induced lactation for adoption

Make an appointment with us before your baby is born and we can help you prepare. We’ll give you the tools to help reach your breastfeeding goals.

Our Mission

Provide comprehensive breastfeeding care and support to all families along their lactation journey in addition to creating a culture that promotes, protects and supports breastfeeding for our Cleveland Clinic patients, caregivers, and community.

Award-Winning Care

Hillcrest and Fairview hospitals have received multiple breastfeeding-related awards, including:

• IBCLC (International Board of Lactation Consultants) Care Award.
• Baby-Friendly Re-Designated Hospital.
• CDC mPINC (Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care) Scores of 95 and 98 (National and Regional Average is 81).
• Ohio Hospital Association & Ohio Department of Health Maternity Care Best Practice Award.
• Newsweek's America’s Best Maternity Hospitals.
• Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards “Best Hospital to Have a Baby” 

Meet Our Team

Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic & Center

Physicians

Our breastfeeding medicine specialists are board certified pediatricians with advanced training and experience in breastfeeding management and lactation disorders that can assist with the more challenging aspects of breastfeeding.

Heidi Szugye, DO, IBCLC
Medical Director, Breastfeeding Medicine Center and Clinic

Suet Kam Lam, MD, IBCLC, MPH, MS
Assistant Medical Director, Breastfeeding Medicine Center and Clinic 

Adrienne Millner, MD, IBCLC, FACOG

Nurse Practitioners 

Eliza Schreiber, FNP, CLC

Sarah Swift, FNP, IBCLC

Marisa Resnik, PNP, IBCLC 

Lactation Services

Our lactation consultants are located both in the hospital and outside the hospital and are all IBCLC-certified.

• Kim Falatic, BSN, RNC-NIC, IBCLC
  Nurse Manager, Lactation Services, Fairview Hospital
• Dena Stuart, BSN, RNC-MNN, CLC
  Nurse Manager, Lactation Services, Hillcrest Hospital
• Inpatient lactation consultants are available to assist after delivery at our delivery hospitals:
• Ohio
• Cleveland Clinic main campus
• Akron General 
• Fairview Hospital
• Hillcrest Hospital 
• Mercy Hospital 
• Union Hospital 
• Florida 
• Martin Hospital
• Indian River Hospital
• Tradition Hospital 
• Outpatient lactation consultants are available for one-on-one appointments at these locations: 
• Ohio
  • Akron General 
  • Fairview Wellness Center
  • Hillcrest Hospital North Campus
• Florida 
• Martin Hospital
• Indian River Hospital
• Tradition Hospital 
• Outpatient support groups with lactation consultants are available at these locations: 
• Ohio
  • Fairview Hospital
  • Hillcrest Hospital North Campus
  • Independence Family Health Center
  • Strongsville Family Health & Surgery Center
• Florida 
• Martin Hospital
• Indian River Hospital
• Tradition Hospital 

Patient Education

Breastfeeding and lactation basics 

• Alcohol and breastfeeding
• Benefits of breastfeeding for you & baby
• Breast anatomy 
• Breast pumps
• Breastfeeding common concerns
• Breastfeeding duration
• Breastfeeding latch
• Breastfeeding let-down
• Breastfeeding positioning
• Breastfeeding and medication safety
• Breast milk storage recommendations
• Colostrum
• Contraception and breastfeeding
• Feeding baby in the first year
• Foods to eat while breastfeeding
• Hand-expressing breastmilk
• Milk production
• Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin)
• Lactation 
• Newborn care in the hospital
• Pumping at work
• Weaning

Breastfeeding and lactation challenges and special circumstances 

• Breast engorgement
• Breastfeeding after breast surgery
• Breastfeeding with nipple piercings
• Cleft lip and palate
• Clogged milk ducts
• Dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER)
• Flat and inverted nipples
• Lactation consultant
• Mastitis
• Milk blebs
• Nipple itching and pain
• Supplements for milk supply
• Tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia)

Breastfeeding news

• Breastfeeding Duration in U.S. Closely Linked With Length of Maternity Leave
• Delaying a Newborn’s First Bath in the Hospital Increases Breastfeeding Success
• What to Know about New Breastfeeding Guidelines

Podcasts

• Babies and Bedtime with Dr. Heidi Szugye
• Breastfeeding: What You Need To Know with Dr. Heidi Szugye

Frequently asked questions

How can I get a breast pump?

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, if you are returning to work or school or are having breastfeeding difficulties, insurance companies may provide you with a breast pump. This is based on your individual insurance contract and current deductible guidelines. Be sure to check with your insurance company about your coverage. Learn more.

How do I donate or obtain breast milk?

We recommend using screened and pasteurized donor breast milk. Visit OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank to learn how to donate or obtain donor breast milk.

You can purchase 4-ounce pouches of shelf-stable donor breast milk can also be purchased from Fairview Hospital's Pharmacy. To purchase or learn more, call 216.476.7119. 

Provider Resources

Provider resources

• 6 Clinical Takeaways for Providers in Breastfeeding Medicine
• A New Policy Update on Breastfeeding (podcast) 
• Breastfeeding Duration in U.S. Closely Linked With Length of Maternity Leave
• Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic Flier (to share with patients)

Publications

• S. Kam Lam, MD, MPH, publications 
• Heidi Szugye, DO, publications 

Refer a patient

To refer a patient to the Breastfeeding Medicine Center & Clinic, please call 216.444.KIDS(5437).

Educational Classes

Breastfeeding Classes

Classes are designed for you and a support person to prepare to breastfeed your newborn and achieve the confidence you need to start a satisfying breastfeeding experience.

In-person classes

Fairview Hospital Wellness Center 

Breastfeeding Preparation - Register now

Hillcrest Hospital 
Breastfeeding Basics - Register now

Virtual classes

Fairview Hospital Wellness Center
Understanding Breastfeeding Online Module - Register now

Hillcrest Hospital
Understanding Breastfeeding Online Module - Register now

Support Offerings

Need over the phone support now?

• Call our lactation consultants at 216.427.1313 (Fairview Hospital) or 440.312.5332 (Hillcrest Hospital). A caregiver will answer if available. If not, please leave a message, and we’ll return your call by the next day.
• Call the Ohio Department of Health Breastfeeding Support Hotline (staffed 24/7 by lactation consultants) at 888.588.3423.

Breastfeeding Support Groups (virtual and in-person options)

Breastfeeding support groups for all moms. Registration not required unless otherwise noted.

Join a nurturing breastfeeding environment facilitated by board-certified lactation consultants. Receive answers to your questions and support on your breastfeeding journey.

Akron General Health Center
676 South Broadway St., Akron, OH 44311
Day: 2nd Thursday of every month (in-person only)
Time: 2 – 4 p.m. 
Registrations recommended. Register here (Under the "Preparing for Baby" section). Any questions, call 330.344.5705.

Akron General Health and Wellness Center, Bath
4125 Medina Rd., Akron, OH 44333
Day: 4th Monday of every month (in-person only)
Time: 2 – 4 p.m. 
Registrations recommended. Register here (Under the "Preparing for Baby" section). Any questions, call 330.344.5705.

Fairview Wellness Center
3035 Wooster Road, Rocky River, OH 44116
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays (in-person only)
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Tuesdays) & 10:30 a.m. – Noon (Thursdays)
NO registration required. Any questions, email childbirthed@ccf.org or call 216.427.1303.

Hillcrest Hospital North Campus (across from Hillcrest Hospital)
6777 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124|
Days: Tuesdays and Fridays (virtual and in-person options)
Time: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
NO registration required. Any questions, email chilbirtheducationclasses@ccf.org or call 440.312.5332.

Independence Family Health Center
5001 Rockside Road, 8th Floor, Room C, Independence, OH 44131
Day: Thursdays (in-person only)
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration required: Call 216.986.4000 (Ask for OBGYN, then lactation.)

Mercy Hospital (Family Center, 4th Floor, Medical Office Building)
1320 Mercy Drive NW, Canton, OH 44708
Days: Mondays and 1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month (in-person only)
Times: Noon to 2 p.m. (Mondays) and 4:30-6:30 p.m. (1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month)
NO reservation required. Any questions, call 330.580.4761

Strongsville Family Health & Surgery Center
16761 South Park Center, Strongsville, OH 44136
Day: Wednesdays (in-person only)
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
NO registration required. Any questions, email childbirthed@ccf.org or call 216.427.1303.

One-on-One Lactation Consultation Appointments & Breastfeeding Helplines

Get the support you need for your family's breastfeeding journey. Our private consultations are available before, during, and after birth to help you build a satisfying breastfeeding routine and tackle any challenges along the way.

We assist with:

• Latching difficulties
• Nipple pain
• Pumping and/or returning to work
• Low supply or over supply

Schedule a private, in-person appointment by calling any of the numbers listed below. Helplines are also available to connect with a breastfeeding specialist for individual support.

Akron General - Postpartum Unit
Helpline: 330.344.5705

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Helpline: 216.445.7919

Fairview Hospital Wellness Center
Main Office: 216.427.1303
Helpline: 216.427.1313

Hillcrest Hospital North Campus (Across the street from Hillcrest Hospital)
Main Office: 440.312.4647
Helpline: 440.312.5332

Independence Family Health Center
Helpline: 216.986.4000 (ask for OBGYN, then Lactation)
Note: No private consults.

Mercy Hospital
Helpline: 330.580.4761

Wooster Family Health Center
Helpline: 330.287.4500

Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic Appointments

Outpatient prenatal, postpartum private in-person or virtual visits are available.

Heidi Szugye, DO, NABBLM-C, IBCLC and Eliza Schreiber, CNP
Hillcrest Hospital Medical Building 2 (Across the street from Hillcrest Hospital)
6801 Mayfield Road, 4th Floor, Suite 400
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
To make an appointment, call 440.720.4580

Suet Kam Lam, MD, MPH, IBCLC
Independence Family Health Center
5001 Rockside Rd., 2nd Floor, Suite IN2-210
Independence, Ohio 44131
To make an appointment, call 216.474.0040 (ask for pediatrics)

Adrienne Millner, MD, IBCLC, FACOG
Akron General Health Center
676 South Broadway Street
Akron, OH 44311

Sarah Swift, CNP
Chesterland Medical Building
8254 Mayfield Rd.
Chesterland, OH 44026
To make an appointment, call 234.212.6651 or 234.212.6652

Make an Appointment

Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic Appointments

Heidi Szugye, DO, NABBLM-C, IBCLC and Eliza Schreiber, FNP, CLC
Hillcrest Hospital Medical Building 2 (Across the street from Hillcrest Hospital)
6801 Mayfield Road, 4th Floor, Suite 400
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
To make an appointment, call 440.473.0010.

Suet Kam Lam, MD, MPH, IBCLC
Independence Family Health Center
5001 Rockside Rd., 2nd Floor, Suite IN2-210
Independence, Ohio 44131
To make an appointment, call 216.986.4000 (ask for pediatrics).

Sarah Swift, FNP, IBCLC
Chesterland Medical Building
8254 Mayfield Rd.
Chesterland, OH 44026
To make an appointment, call 234.212.6651 or 234.212.6652.

One-on-One Lactation Consultation Appointments

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I prepare for an appointment?

Avoid feeding your baby for two hours before an appointment. Bring expressed breastmilk (if available), breast pump and pump parts, medications (if any), your baby and a support person. Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.

What can I expect at a typical appointment?

You and your baby are often put on the schedule given many breastfeeding challenges involve both of you. Most insurances cover visits related to breastfeeding support but we recommend you check with your insurance before your visit to ensure coverage. Cleveland Clinic’s Employee Health Plan covers visits at no additional cost or copay.

Appointments will last 1 to 1.5 hours. During this time, our team will go over your and your baby’s medical histories. We’ll also talk to you about your current challenges and breastfeeding goals. Next, we’ll weigh your baby and then ask you to feed them. Once you’re done, we’ll check the baby’s post-feeding weight.

Together, we’ll craft or update your Breastfeeding Action Plan. After your appointment, we’ll work with your and your baby’s healthcare providers. We want to you both have a successful and healthy breastfeeding experience.