Due to the to the medical, psychological, and economic benefits, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding after baby foods are added to their diet until at least 12 months of age. The East of the River Lactation Support Center is a collaborative program between Children's National Medical Center, the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program, and the DC Breastfeeding Coalition. We understand how important breastfeeding is for families and we aim to provide mothers with the caring support, knowledge, and encouragement they need. While at the hospital, families can ask their child's nurse for a lactation consult or even call ahead with questions or concerns. As a health system, Children's National, also offer community lactation support services free of charge at the Health Center in Anacostia.

Services offered include:

At the Children's Health Center in Anacostia, lactation support services are offered free of charge on a daily basis during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm). These services include:

• A four-week prenatal breastfeeding education class that is offered on a rolling basis twice per month. This class is free and is facilitated by a lactation consultant or breastfeeding peer educator. Class topics include: "Getting Started", "Breastfeeding in the First Few Weeks", "Keeping Things Going When Life Returns", and "Breastfeeding After 6 Months".
• Community lactation support services for breastfeeding families in the entire Washington, DC, metro area. Breastfeeding support supplies are also available.
• Mom's Got Milk Club meetings (families welcome!)
• Back-to-work breastfeeding consults to help breastfeeding mothers prepare to return to the workforce or school while meeting their breastfeeding goals

Meet Our Team
Sahira Long, MD, IBCLC (Medical Director)
Mudiwah Kadeshe/MSN/RN/CCE/IBCLC (Director of Programs / Grant Management)
Nikki Plaskett, RN, IBCLC Community Lactation Consultant
Sharon Wright, MA, RN, CCE, IBCLC, Community Lactation Consultant
Alysia Montegut (Lactation Peer Educator (CLC))
Christal Reader, Lactation Peer Educator

Contact Information
2101 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE
Washington, DC 20020

Hours of Operation:
M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm
(Closed Holidays)

Appointments / Administration: 202-476-6941
Fax: 202-476-6991