Chestfeeding & Breastfeeding Support

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Chestfeeding & Breastfeeding are strongly supported and encouraged by our obstetricians, pediatricians and our Family Birthplace staff. Our lactation team and staff nurses at both Fairview Hospital and Berkshire Medical Center are here to make your nursing experience a successful one.

Babies can consume human milk directly by breastfeeding or chestfeeding (a term used to describe feeding a baby from a person’s chest) , or by drinking expressed milk from a bottle or cup. If you’re able to breastfeed or chestfeed, it’s your decision whether you do and you can change your mind at any time. You will be fully supported in any decisions you make.

Please note, if you have a concern that is of an urgent nature, call your provider or family doctor.

Fairview Hospital & Berkshire Medical Center Lactation Services

Berkshire Medical Center Inquiries:

BMC Lactation Services: 413-447-2114 ext. 6338.
Your can find us in the Lactation office located on the second floor of Berkshire Medical Center within the Family Birthplace.

BMC Family Birthplace nurses station at 413-447-2611 (ask for a lactation specialist).

Fairview Hospital Inquiries:

Fairview Lactation Services:

Fairview Family Birthplace: 413-854-9982

Feeding Support

Berkshire Health Systems offers specialized and personalized lactation and infant feeding support at both Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital. We offer consults during your pregnancy and postpartum. Many questions can be answered with a telephone call with our lactation specialists. If you have a more complex infant feeding need or you feel more comfortable with face-to-face care, we can schedule an appointment for a virtual or in-person visit. Our goal is to help you and your baby meet your feeding goals.

We are frequently out of the office working with families so leave us a message and we will return your call within 24 hours.

Successful Feeding Classes

This one-session class will provide you with information on the benefits of chest/breastfeeding, things you can do to get ready, tips for getting off to a good start, ways your partner can help, and suggestions for breastfeeding when returning to work.

Attendance: Attendance is recommended for you and your partner between the 4th and 7th month of pregnancy.
Free of charge (includes book)
Monday evenings: 6:30 – 9:00 PM. Offered every other month.

Call for the latest schedule.

Pumps & Feeding Supplies

Call our office if you need assistance in renting a hospital grade human milk pump. We have partnered with M&M Medical Supplier Inc to rent hospital grade Medela Symphony Pumps.

We can also offer support with where to purchase breastfeeding supplies in our community.

If you have not yet received your personal human milk pump through insurance, the lactation specialists can help you with this while you are with us on the childbirth center.

The following pumps are typically available*: