Lactation Support

UCLA Health is committed to giving families the information, confidence, and skills necessary to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies after birth.

UCLA Ronald Reagan and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Centers are both designated as Baby-Friendly Hospitals by Baby-Friendly USA. 

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program to encourage the broad-scale implementation of the 

Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. 

 Learn what to expect at a BFHI hospital.  

In cases where patients have a medical indication or have made an informed decision to use formula, the safe preparation and feeding of formula is provided to families.

At UCLA Health, we stand firm in our commitment to compassionate, inclusive and equitable care throughout our health system. 

Terms like “mother” and “breastfeeding” are used throughout our website, reflecting common biological norm and experiences. However, UCLA Health respects and supports all family types and structures, including those in which these terms may not apply, such as LGBTQ+, gender-diverse families, and those using surrogacy. 

We encourage you to share your preferred pronouns and terms for infant feeding.