Breastfeeding Support

A Baby-Friendly Hospital

We love babies and believe each one is heaven-sent. Maybe that’s why we're Fresno County's first Baby-Friendly Hospital, and one of only 95 hospitals and birth centers in California to earn this distinction. Being Baby-Friendly means we have board-certified lactation consultants on staff who support all mothers by assuring they have the information needed to make an informed choice about how they feed their baby. No matter what decision she makes, every mom's choice is respected with evidence-based teaching.

To get this new chapter off to the best start, your nurses and care team will encourage you to practice the Golden Hour, skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding.

Feeding Baby

What you choose to feed your baby is one of the first important decisions you will make as a parent. Exclusive breastfeeding, the practice of avoiding the addition of formula or water to your baby’s diet and only feeding baby breastmilk, is encouraged during your hospital stay and beyond. Breastmilk gives your baby antibodies and immunities to help fight off infection and supplies essential nutrients not found in formula. It is also better on baby’s stomach – he or she will have fewer problems with spitting up and constipation. Other benefits of breastfeeding include less bleeding, a reduced risk of infections after birth and a decreased risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. Nurses will help teach you proper positioning, latching techniques, and feeding cues.

To read about Exclusive Breastfeeding, tips and suggestions, choose from the following:

To view the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding Fact Sheet, choose from the following:

Telehealth Lactation Support

To support you and baby with breastfeeding, our International Board Certified Lactation Specialists are available for follow-up after you return home using our new Telehealth option. Upon discharge, not only will you will be provided lactation contact information, but also details about how to schedule a virtual appointment with our lactation team in case you are in need of any additional support while at home.

If you have any breastfeeding questions or concerns, please call to talk with one of our lactation specialists at (559) 450-5210.

Donating Breast Milk

Help Saint Agnes Medical Center and Mothers' Milk Bank give our Valley’s tiniest infants the best start in life through the provision of human breast milk. If you or someone you know is interested in donating, call today to start the screening process. Every precious drop counts to help babies thrive during times of uncertainty. Simply follow these easy steps to see if you qualify:

Pre-screen by calling 1-877-375-6645 and selecting option 3 for donor services, or click here to apply. Be sure to mention you are donating milk for the Central Valley Milk Drive.
A donor packet will be mailed to you. Complete and return as soon as possible.
Upon approval, a cooler will be shipped to you by Fed-Ex with instructions about how and where to send your milk. This service is paid for by Mothers' Milk Bank of San Jose.

To learn more about Mothers' Milk Bank, click here.