Dr. Lisa Hammer, director of the U-M Briarwood Center for Women, Children and Young Adults, along with colleagues Dr. Sharon Kileny, Dr. Katie Pasque and Mary Dubensky, have started a physician-led outpatient breastfeeding clinic at the U-M Briarwood Center for Women, Children and Young Adults (Building #2 in Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor).

I've known Dr. Hammer for eight years, and my family has greatly benefited from her dedication to struggling parents. I was a foster parent less than a week when I brought my kids to her for their first exam. Sarah was just 6 months old, her brother was not quite 3, and their sister was almost 5. I was a sight -- sleep deprived, and wearing a backpack that felt like Mount Kilimanjaro between my shoulder blades, a counterweight to the three kids hanging from my front.

Young and personable, Dr. Hammer was the model of patience as she took our histories, raising her voice only slightly to make herself heard over the tumult. While it had taken me all of 24 hours to realize that, as a mother, I was out of my league, Dr. Hammer figured this out in about two seconds (though she was too kind to say so directly).

"Do you have any help?" she asked gently. I hadn't ... and so she asked her regular sitter if she would come to our house once a week, just so I could get a few consecutive hours of sleep. "Miss Terry" stayed with us for almost a year, until I was able to handle the challenges of parenting on my own.

Young mothers feeling overwhelmed by the task of caring for their babies sometimes need the support of other moms who understand the pressures. If you are in need of a little extra support, I'd encourage you to call the office (734-232-2600) and make an appointment!

Why breastfeed?

Why should a woman consider breastfeeding her newborn? Studies have shown that the benefits extend to both mother and child, including:

• Breastfed newborns have fewer ear and respiratory infections, and have a lower incidence of gastroenteritis as well as lower rates of hospitalization.

• Mothers of breastfed infants have a lowered risk of developing breast and uterine cancer heart disease, and osteoporosis. Breastfeeding can also improve diabetes control.

• Breastfeeding helps mothers bond with their infants, and a positive breastfeeding experience can increase a new mother's confidence and self-esteem. It also helps her to lose weight following delivery.

• Breastfeeding is economical! A family can save about $2,000 a year by breastfeeding rather than using formula.

While breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. New mothers can encounter problems and often need help and support to make breastfeeding a positive experience. This clinic will be unique because it will combine the expertise of pediatricians, obstetricians and lactation consultants.

Who would benefit from the clinic?

Dr. Pasque, an obstetrician, is already accepting referrals for new mothers experiencing breastfeeding problems such as mastitis, low milk supply and nipple soreness. She also offers consults for expectant mothers who anticipate having difficulties with breastfeeding due to problems such as inverted nipples or prior breast surgeries.

Beginning Sept. 14, Drs. Hammer and Kileny, who are pediatricians, and Mary Dubensky (lactation consultant) will also begin accepting referrals for problems such as poor infant weight gain, latch-on difficulties, and more.

Patients can self refer or be referred by their physician. These visits will be covered by most insurance plans. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 734-232-2600.

Heidi Hess Saxton is a contributing writer to AnnArbor.com (parenting channel) and the founder of the "Extraordinary Moms Network," an online resource for adoptive, foster, and special-needs families. You can reach her at heidi.hess.saxton@gmail.com.