WEST CHESTER, PA — Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital has opened an outpatient lactation center in West Chester, extending breastfeeding support beyond hospital discharge and giving families access to specialized care during the early stages of infant feeding.
The center, which opened earlier this fall, provides individual consultations with lactation specialists to address breastfeeding difficulties that can arise after parents and newborns return home.
The service expands the hospital’s existing maternal and infant care programs and builds on its Baby-Friendly designation, which recognizes hospitals that follow evidence-based practices supporting breastfeeding and infant feeding goals.
Located within Chester County Hospital, the center offers appointments for families experiencing difficulty with infant latching, milk supply concerns, nipple or breast pain, and challenges associated with breast pumps.
Consultations also include weighing infants before and after feeding to help assess milk intake.
The outpatient model is intended to provide continuity between breastfeeding assistance received during a hospital stay and the support families may need afterward.
“My team and I are excited to offer continuity of care with this outpatient service, because we know early breastfeeding support is crucial to helping families reach their infant feeding goals,” said Amy Latyak, manager of Lactation and Prenatal Education Services at Chester County Hospital.
Breastfeeding can provide health benefits for both infants and parents, but feeding difficulties may require individualized guidance after discharge. The new center provides access to lactation consultants without requiring a hospital admission.
The facility operates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 610-431-5339.
The addition further expands outpatient services at Chester County Hospital, a 329-bed nonprofit facility that became part of Penn Medicine in 2013.
Founded in 1892, the hospital also maintains outpatient operations in Exton, West Goshen, New Garden and Kennett Square.
The lactation center is the latest addition to the hospital’s maternal care services, providing families with continued breastfeeding assistance as they transition from inpatient care to home.
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