June 24, 2022
Willowbrook, Calif. – A new clinic dedicated to providing free breastfeeding support to African American and Latina mothers – two groups with some of the lowest reported rates of exclusive breastfeeding in LA County – is now open in Compton at the MLK Community Healthcare outpatient care center inside the Renaissance Plaza shopping center.
The MLKCH Lactation Clinic offers comprehensive lactation support and education in a comfortable setting from trained breastfeeding experts, including an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and doula. The clinic is free and available to all mothers and newborns regardless of insurance status.
Numerous studies show wide disparities in breastfeeding between white mothers and mothers of color, often as the result of lack of access to expert resources, among other factors. That lack of access can have dire consequences: research shows breastfeeding is associated with worse health and well-being and higher risk of illness-related deaths.
Breastfeeding support is available in person and by virtual appointment. Transportation to the lactation clinic may be arranged as needed. Besides lactation support, the clinic can also connect mothers that are MLKCH patients to mental health services and other social supports via the MLKCH care center’s integrated team.
“The MLKCH Community Lactation Clinic is an amazing opportunity to provide comprehensive lactation and breastfeeding support to our community,” said Lydia Boyd, the clinic’s lactation educator. ”The clinic fills a gap where access to lactation support and counseling is greatly needed to address racial health and feeding disparities in families who may not otherwise be able to find or access this type of care. MLKCH is doing the work to make lactation support the standard and not a privilege for a select few.”
The lactation clinic is the latest in a series of services that have made MLKCH a model for maternity and pediatric care in California and nationwide.
- MLKCH received the “Baby-Friendly” hospital designation from Baby-Friendly USA, part of a WHO/UNICEF initiative to support breastfeeding worldwide.
- MLKCH has some of the lowest C-section rates in California as designated by Cal Hospital Compare’s Maternity Honor Roll.
- Recipient of California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) Quality & Sustainability Award - NTSV Cesarean Birth Rate.
- Recipient of the CMQCC Maternal Data Center (MDC) Superstar Award - Small Birth Volume Hospitals.
To learn more about the community lactation clinic, visit mlkch.org/LactationClinic. The clinic is located at: 135 East Compton Blvd. Suite 131 Compton, CA 90220 and is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To make an appointment, please call (424) 529-6755.
About MLK Community Healthcare: MLK Community Healthcare is an integrated healthcare delivery system that serves the medically underserved community of South Los Angeles. MLKCH offers emergency and inpatient care through its hospital, and primary and specialty care through the MLK Community Medical Group, with practice sites in three locations throughout South LA. MLKCH also offers community health education and outreach to improve the health of our community. Since its opening in 2015, the hospital has earned awards and headlines for its innovative approaches to quality, safety and patient satisfaction.
MLKCH Media Contact:
424-296-3735