MADISON, Wis. – Making patients feel supported is the primary goal of UW Health Kids lactation consultants, or breastfeeding specialists, at American Family Children’s Hospital.
World Breastfeeding Week, first observed in 1992, is a global event celebrated every August to raise awareness about breastfeeding. While it is well known that breast milk benefits babies, there is still a need for more support for breastfeeding mothers, according to Katie Talmadge, a lactation consultant and pediatric nurse, UW Health Kids, who is also internationally board-certified in lactation.
There is limited access to experts and education, so raising awareness for support and information remains essential, she said.
The lactation program at American Family Children’s Hospital primarily works with patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), who often face medical challenges that can cause significant stress for families. The program started nearly 11 years ago when the Level 4 NICU opened, and the number of consults has increased each year. There are two lactation consultants, Talmadge and Courtney Spencer, neonatal nurse, UW Health Kids, who is also internationally board-certified in lactation. Last year, these consultants supported nearly 500 lactating patients and their families. They also see patients who are breastfeeding and are admitted to University Hospital for other reasons.
Over the past five years, human milk feeding rates for patients at American Family Children’s Hospital at discharge have ranged from 75 to 88%, according to health system data.
“It is a privilege to enter very tender, vulnerable spaces to help provide families with information, education and support them on their journey,” Talmadge said. “We tell families we support them in any way they’d like to feed their baby.”
The lactation program also collaborates with the milk lab, which is dedicated to preparing, storing and mixing the appropriate amount of breast milk or formula to meet each baby’s individual needs. Historically, experts know it’s more difficult for mothers to produce milk in a NICU environment, so support is essential, she said.
“NICU moms are most likely experiencing a postpartum situation they did not expect,” Talmadge said. “So, we don’t say ‘breast is best’ or ‘fed is best’ – that isn’t helpful because it implies there is only one right choice. Instead, we like to say ‘supported is best.’”
Being in the NICU can make breastfeeding challenging, but these challenges are not limited to the NICU. Many postpartum mothers face mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety and depression that can impact lactation ability. There is more to motherhood than lactation, according to Talmadge.
Giving maximum effort in lactation while neglecting well-being is not sustainable; it’s about maintaining well-being, she said.
“Your worth as a mother is not measured in ounces of milk you can produce,” she said. “This is just something you could provide, but a baby needs a well mother more than they need breastmilk, so adjustments might need to be made to goals and plans.”
According to the organizers of the awareness week, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, the theme for the 2025 awareness week emphasizes promoting direct breastfeeding and reducing unnecessary plastics and waste. Sustainability has been a priority for UW Health Kids for years. Many NICU patients at American Family Children’s Hospital cannot breastfeed directly because babies are often healing from surgery or illness and are fed through a tube. Therefore, efforts have been made to ensure the milk lab recycles products and maximizes the use of equipment to serve patients, according to Talmadge.
