Breastfeeding Support
We know breastfeeding provides important nutrients and bonding time for your newborn, and we are committed to helping you succeed. We support practices that encourage breastfeeding. We also have lactation consultants and nursing staff dedicated to answering your questions and helping you overcome any issues you may have, while you are in the hospital and after you go home.
Outpatient Lactation Clinic Appointments
Outpatient Lactation Appointments, Classes & Groups are available to all DEERS eligible patients. Priority is AD, Prime, Select, and Direct.
Outpatient Tripler Lactation Clinic
Monday thru Friday
Call Tripler OB Clinic (808) 433-2778
Tripler Army Medical Center OB Clinic Location: Tripler OB Clinic, Mountain Side, 4M
Outpatient Schofield Lactation Clinic
Mondays Only
Call Schofield Clinic direct (808) 433-8131 OR
Call Tripler OB Clinic (808) 433-2778
OB Clinic Location: Schofield Barracks, Bldg. 683, Clinic G
Outpatient Warrior Ohana Lactation Clinic
Thursdays Only
Schedule appointments Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. by calling Warrior Ohana Clinic direct at (808) 433-5420. Appointment Location: 91-1010 Shangrila Street, Kapolei (plenty of parking)
** Please call the Lactation Office (808) 433-3732 and leave your call back information if you are unable to book an appointment **
Breastfeeding Classes
(Appointment Required)
Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes will introduce the benefits of breastfeeding, what to expect the first few weeks and beyond, how to know that your baby is getting enough milk, helpful techniques on positioning and latching baby, prevention and treatment of common problems, when and how to ask for assistance with breastfeeding. Lactation Consultants will also discuss how to successfully return back to work and continue with pumping, collecting, and storing breast milk. Please join us so we can review all the physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes the new mother may experience during the postpartum period. If you are interested in breastfeeding then please schedule a class – you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic information which helps support your optimal breastfeeding experience!
Please schedule appointments Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. by calling Tripler OB Clinic @ (808) 433-2778.
Tripler Army Medical Center
2nd & 4th Monday (5-6:30 pm)
Location: Tripler, 10th Floor Conference Room
Schofield Barracks: 1st & 3rd Monday (5-6:30 pm)
Location: Schofield Barracks Clinic, Bldg 691, Conference Room ZZ
Breastfeeding Support Groups
(No sign up required for groups, closed on Federal Holidays)
AMR Aliamanu Community Center
Fridays 10:00 a.m. -11:45 a.m.
Location: 182 Kauhini Road, Honolulu (808) 275-3850
Posted on Facebook: AMR Families and Breast feeders of Oahu
Schofield Porter Community Center
Mondays 10:00 a.m. -11:45 a.m.
Location: 1301 McCornack Road, Wahiawa (808) 275-3770
Posted on Facebook: AMR Families and Breast feeders of Oahu
New Parent Support Program MCBH Kaneohe
Thursdays 10:00 a.m.
Breastfeeding Basics & Beyond for all moms and moms-to-be
Location: MCBH CAARE Center (Bldg 216) (808) 257-8803
Facebook: Breastfeeding Basics & Beyond
Mothers Support Group MCBH Kaneohe
Thursdays 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Support for breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding moms and children
Location: MCBH Kaneohe Chapel, Toddler Room
Facebook: MCBH Breastfeeding Support Group
TRICARE Breast Pumps and Supplies
TENS UNLIMITED INC.
Local Rep: Jeazel (808) 436-8461 Fax: (808) 200-0391
3049 Ualena St, Suite 404, Honolulu, HI
www.tensunlimited.com, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m.
CalMed Hawaii
(808) 691-9973, 99-061 Koaha Way, Aiea, HI 96701
Calmedhawaii.com, Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Lactation Rooms
Moms are welcome to breastfeed or pump anywhere and at any time at Tripler, however we offer two Lactation Room locations for your privacy and convenience. The Lactation Stations are located on the 5th floor of Oceanside Hospital Tower Lobby. The Lactation Rooms offer a clean, comfortable, secure place for women who need to use a breast pump or want to nurse in private. They feature seating, a power supply to comfortably use a breast pump, as well as space for bags or a stroller.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions:
Breastfeeding comes naturally to some women and presents challenges for others. Therefore, our lactation consultants are here to help – during your hospital stay and after you go home.
- We encourage you to breastfeed your baby soon after delivery, usually within the first hour. We encourage rooming-in for you and your newborn. It’s best to keep your baby in the room with you at the hospital so you can feed on demand. The first few days of breastfeeding provide your baby with colostrum – concentrated breast milk rich in nutrients and antibodies.
- Place your baby on your bare chest whenever possible for skin-to-skin contact while feeding.
- Nurse your baby on one side until the breast is softened, then switch to the other breast. Depleting a breast’s supply allows your baby to get the nutrient-rich hindmilk. It is OK if your baby does not take both breasts in one feeding.
- Nurse your baby eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period in the early days of breastfeeding. Wake your baby up to feed in the first days to avoid breast swelling and promote your milk supply. You will notice an increase in milk volume between three and five days after delivery.
- Watch for your baby’s early hunger cues – sucking the fist, licking the lips, opening the mouth – and offer your breast. Later, crying is a sign of hunger.
- Avoid pacifiers, artificial nipples and feeding supplements until your baby is breastfeeding well. Of course, use them if your healthcare provider recommends it.
- Your baby may want to breastfeed often in the first few months during growth spurts. This “cluster feeding” is normal.
Tripler's OB/GYN services include:
Reproductive, Endocrinology, Infertility (REI) Clinic
Behavioral-Medicine-Consultation-Services
Neonatal-Intensive-Care-Unit-NICU
Mother-Baby-Unit
Urogynecology-Female-Pelvic-Medicine
Labor-and-Delivery-Unit
Midwife Services
Minimally-Invasive-Gynecologic-Surgery-MIGS
Centering-Pregnancy
Moody-Mom-or-Anxious-about-Baby
Additional Resources