Craig Community Health Center Opens Free Lactation Clinic

Steamboat Springs —The wind off the San Juan Mountains kicks up dust against the windows of 745 Russell Street in Craig. Inside, the hum of a refrigerator and the quiet shuffling of feet on linoleum floors set the rhythm for the afternoon. It’s a Tuesday, between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. The Community Health Center is hosting a free lactation clinic, and the door is open to anyone who needs help figuring out why their newborn won’t latch or how to keep a milk supply up while working.

For context, the local data on infant feeding is shifting, but it hasn’t reached a point where support isn't critical. Major medical organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, with continued nursing alongside complementary foods for up to two years or more. That is a long timeline. It spans the transition from newborn to toddler, often overlapping with the return to full-time work and the chaos of a growing household.

Northwest Colorado Health runs this program through its Women, Infants & Children (WIC) initiative in partnership with UCHealth. The key logistical detail here is access: you do not need to be a WIC participant to attend the Tuesday clinic. It is open to any mother seeking education, encouragement, or advice.

Shania Duzik, RD, CLC, WIC Manager & High-Risk Counselor/Community Health Educator with Northwest Colorado Health, explains the reality of the process. “Breastfeeding is a changing process,” she wrote in the Craig Daily Press. “We need to be there to help moms and babies figure it out in the beginning and work through challenges that may arise. We try to keep them breastfeeding as long as possible.”

Let’s do the math on what that support looks like. It isn’t just a one-time lecture. WIC certified lactation counselors offer one-on-one support. For moms who qualify for the program, there is a free Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Texting Program available. This allows mothers to connect at any time for quick tips, bypassing the need to schedule an appointment or drive across town when a problem arises at 2 a.m.

The financial and nutritional support extends beyond advice. Women who qualify for WIC receive nutrition counseling and supplemental nutritious foods. This is a direct cost-saver for households trying to maintain a balanced diet while caring for an infant. The program also assists with the logistics of returning to work, helping new moms obtain a breast pump and plan for their schedule.

In practice, this matters because of state law. The Colorado Workplace Accommodations Act requires employers to provide women reasonable time and a private place to express milk. Knowing this right exists is one thing; having the equipment and a plan to use it is another. WIC counselors work with employers to bridge that gap, ensuring the legal requirement translates into actual practice in the office or on the job site.

The health benefits are well-documented: disease prevention for both mother and child, plus bonding advantages. But the barrier to entry is often knowledge and confidence. Establishing a routine requires practice, adjustments, and determination. Factors like baby behavior, medical conditions, medications, milk supply, work schedules, and travel all complicate the equation.

The practical bottom line for locals is simple. If you are in the Craig area and struggling with breastfeeding, there is a no-cost resource on Russell Street every Tuesday afternoon. You don’t need insurance or WIC eligibility to walk in and talk to a professional. For those who do qualify, the program covers pumps, food, and ongoing text support. It’s a structured safety net for one of the most physically demanding phases of early parenthood, and it is already running in your neighborhood.