The Lactation Service provides support with breastfeeding and expressing breastmilk to mothers of babies who are being treated at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. The following parent information fact sheets are available (view all):

• Blocked milk ducts and mastitis
• Expressing breast milk for your baby
• Increasing your breast milk supply
• Nipple shields for breastfeeding
• Suppressing lactation

Our lactation consultants work with medical and allied health teams to provide a personalised care plan for each mother and baby.

Hospital grade electric breast pumps are available for mothers to express milk if their baby cannot feed from the breast.

We aim to support mothers to continue breastfeeding while their baby is in hospital and have been recognised by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association for excellence in lactation care. The lactation team at the Queensland Children’s Hospital also received an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant^® (IBCLC^®) Care Award in 2018.

Follow up lactation services can be arranged after discharge through Community Child Health or the lactation outpatient’s clinic.

Who can access this service?

This service is available to all mothers of infants hospitalised in any area of the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Catchment area

Inpatient Service

Lactation consultation is available to mothers of infants hospitalised in any area of the Queensland Children’s Hospital, including the emergency department.

Outpatient Service

The lactation outpatients clinic is available to families who have been patients of the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Do I need a referral?

No. Self-referral of previous patients is accepted.

How do I get a referral?

Please phone the lactation consultant to discuss making an appointment.
t: 3068 1807

Information for health professionals (QCH staff)

Expressing facilities

To support our breastfeeding mothers on staff, expressing facilities (with hospital grade pumps) are available on Level 7 of QCH. Confidential consultations are also available upon request.

Lactation Service hours: 7am-3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Education program

The Lactation Service provides an array of education opportunities at QCH for medical, nursing and allied health staff. Local seminars are held within QCH on protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

Useful links

Australian Breastfeeding Association
Babies and early childhood health
Lactation Consultants (LCANZ)
Child Health Clinics  (or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and ask to speak to a child health nurse)
Caring for your baby

Our team

Dr David Levitt MBChB, DRCOG, FRACP

Lactation consultants

Mrs Judith Cunningham RN, RM, CHN, B App Sc (Nurs), IBCLC
Mrs Suzanne Oram RN, RM, B Hlth Sc (Nurs), IBCLC