Feature Friday: LifeCircle Lactation Clinic

Welcome to the first post in the Feature Friday series. Every Friday throughout this series I will feature a resource relevant to pregnancy, birth, or parenting in the Cleveland, TN and Chattanooga, TN area. May you find something to help you on your journey with your baby.

LifeCircle Lactation Clinic

I had the pleasure of speaking about the LifeCircle Lactation Clinic with Christine Sneed, IBCLC, CLE, CCCE. The LifeCircle Lactation Clinic is a free-standing lactation center, meaning you do not have to be a patient of LifeCircle Women’s Healthcare to utilize the services at the clinic. Christine Sneed is the certified lactation consultant on staff there.

About Christine

Christine Sneed has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for 5 years. She has worked as a labor and postpartum doula and has attended over 300 births. She is a Certified Childbirth Educator. She stays very busy with the LifeCircle Lactation Clinic and all that it entails.

What ignited her passion for this work?

Christine has always been passionate about the birth. In part because she had the honor of hearing family members tell their birth stories, experiences that Christine said broke her heart. Christine spent a lot of her life sick in the hospital receiving IV antibiotics. After seeking answers at Mayo Clinic, Christine was told that she was Immunoglobulin A Deficient. Christine’s mother did not breastfeed Christine. However, the physician at Mayo Clinic told Christine had she been breastfed she would have received the antibodies from breast milk and had a very different childhood. Christine became determined to provide breastfeeding support to women.

About the LifeCircle Lactation Clinic?

The LifeCircle Lactation Clinic is open to the general public. In fact, some clients travel as far as Murphy, NC to visit the clinic. It is a resource to assist with all of your breastfeeding needs: latch, sore nipples, supply. The clinic hosts breastfeeding classes the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6 to 9 pm. A breastfeeding support group is offered the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10 am to 12 pm. Christine also offers private consultations in office, at your home, or in the hospital. All support persons to mom are welcome to attend all of these services. As a reminder all insurance providers should cover the cost of a breast pump as well as lactation counseling. Contact your insurance provider to find out details.

How does she suggest you prepare for breastfeeding while pregnant?

Christine encourages women to educate themselves during pregnancy on breastfeeding by attending the breastfeeding class at the LifeCircle Lactation Clinic. During pregnancy women can schedule a private consultation with Christine to discuss what specific challenges they may face. She encourages pregnant women to attend the monthly support group to begin to build relationships with other moms. She reminds women that there are a lot of products marketed towards breastfeeding moms, but support and education are the two most important pieces.

What are some reasons women may need extra support at the clinic?

Christine noted that well-meaning family members are the number one barrier to successful breastfeeding. Often family members will offer advice based on what they did, what they have heard, or old wives tales. Christine stressed the importance of prenatal education to combat that.

What one piece of advice does she offer about breastfeeding?

Trust your body. Christine explained that women spend 9 months trusting their body to provide for their baby. Why wouldn’t we continue to trust in our body’s ability after birth? Trust your mommy instincts and the education you have acquired.

What is the best way to schedule an appointment at the clinic?

To schedule an appointment at the LifeCircle Lactation Clinic call (423) 339- 1400. To schedule a home or hospital visit with Christine call (423) 284-9008.