Preparing and then caring for a newborn baby is an exciting and busy time. We are committed to supporting you throughout your pregnancy and parenthood journey. That’s why we offer breastfeeding classes and access to specially trained lactation specialists and consultants during your hospital stay.

After you leave the hospital, you may need more breastfeeding support. That’s when you can turn to the Northwestern Medicine Breastfeeding Center at Kishwaukee Hospital.

Watch a Q&A with an expert from the Breastfeeding Center.

Breastfeeding Consultations

You can schedule a one-on-one breastfeeding consultation at the center. A lactation consultant will meet with you and teach you about breastfeeding, give advice and answer questions. They may take your medical history, observe a breastfeeding session and help you make a follow-up plan. You must make an appointment for this service.

To schedule a lactation consultation at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, call 815.766.9068 (TTY: 711).

Support Group and Classes

Before you give birth, we encourage you to attend a breastfeeding class. It will provide guidance on breastfeeding, what you should expect and where to find evidence-based information. A support person may attend with you.

We invite you and your baby to attend Kishwaukee Hospital's Breastfeeding Support Group. You will meet other breastfeeding parents and get the encouragement you need. This group is led by a certified lactation consultant. It will help and support you with any feeding issues you and your baby may have.

Please visit classes.nm.org for meeting dates and times.

Milk Depot

The Breastfeeding Center at Kishwaukee Hospital offers a human milk depot with the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes. Pre-approved breastfeeding parents can drop off their extra breast milk. Kishwaukee Hospital then uses the breast milk to help save the lives of premature and sick babies whose breastfeeding parents cannot produce enough milk of their own.

To donate breast milk, the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes must first screen you. To start this process, call 847.262.5134. You must complete a phone screen, a medical history interview and a blood draw. If you are approved, the milk bank will assign you a donor number. Then, you can call the Breastfeeding Center at 815.766.9068 to set up a drop-off time.

Learn more about donating through the milk bank.