Breastfeeding support: Southeast Texas clinic aids new moms

August marks Breastfeeding Awareness Month, highlighting the significant benefits breastfeeding offers for both babies and mothers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of mothers do not breastfeed as long as they wish due to lactation and latching issues. To address these challenges, the Mother Baby Clinic at CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital is offering support to new mothers.

Destinie English, a nurse at the clinic and a new mom, shared her personal experience. “She is giving us a run for our money from the second. Before she was even conceived, my husband and I tried for about a year and a half and ended up doing IVF and got her a little miracle baby,” she said. Despite her professional background, English faced unexpected challenges with breastfeeding her daughter. “I thought I had it in the bag and I was like, I’m not even worried about this at all. And little did I know. It’s like when you’re the patient, everything you know goes out the window,” she said.

English and her child encountered difficulties with latching, requiring the use of a nipple shield. However, as her child grew, she refused to wean off the shield. “She’s got quite the personality. And if she doesn’t want to do something, she’s not going to do it,” English said. Seeking help, she turned to the Mother Baby Clinic, where a lactation nurse identified a severe lip tie with her child. After a referral to an ENT doctor, the issue was resolved, allowing the baby to latch perfectly.

English and lactation consultant Veronica Pellegrin are working together to inform Southeast Texas mothers about the resources available at the clinic. “A lot of moms don’t have those breastfeeding classes. They don’t do the breastfeeding classes, and they don’t get all of the breastfeeding information like they should,” Pellegrin said. The clinic offers a range of services, including breastfeeding appointments, tongue tie clips, jaundice checks, and weight checks.

Pellegrin emphasized the importance of seeking help, noting that the clinic is the only one of its kind in the area. “Anybody can come with a referral from a doctor, an OB-GYN referral, or a referral from the baby’s pediatrician,” she said. The clinic aims to support mothers through their breastfeeding journey, providing education and assistance to overcome challenges.

For more information about the Mother Baby Clinic, call (409) 236-2229. The clinic is open to all mothers with a doctor’s referral, regardless of where they delivered their baby.
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