AUGUST 28, 2015
National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
Three Rivers Medical Center and the Lawrence County Health Department have joined together this August to celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. “Through education and awareness we can give new mothers the information and support they need to give their babies the benefits of breastfeeding,” said Greg Kiser, CEO with TRMC. “We are excited about promoting Breastfeeding Awareness Month and the opportunity for the staff of our Obstetrics Department to complete the Newborn Breastfeeding training,” said Mr. Kiser.
The Newborn Breastfeeding training at TRMC is provided by the Lawrence County Health Department’s Regional Breastfeeding Coordinator, Jan Johnson, RD, LD, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant); WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Ashley Wilks, RN, CLS (Certified Lactation Specialist); and Breastfeeding Coordinator, Carolyn McGinn, MS, RD, LD, CLS. “Completing this hands-on Newborn Breastfeeding training provides essential skills to best assist moms and their new babies with breastfeeding,” said Ashley Wilks with the Lawrence County Health Department.
“Breastfeeding reduces the risk of acute and chronic health conditions for both mothers and babies. As more moms are choosing to breastfeed their babies, having the help and support during those first few days of the baby’s life is crucial to successful breastfeeding,” said Ms. Tammy McGinnis, RN, MSN, and Obstetrics Department Supervisor at TRMC. “Our staff member, Tasha Davis, RN is scheduled to complete Certified Lactation Counselor training in October and will be a valuable asset for the OB Department, our new moms and their babies,” said Ms. McGinnis.
“As an Obstetrician and breastfeeding mom, I strongly encourage the importance of breastfeeding and its vital role in your child’s health and growth,” said Dr. Palak Doshi, obstetrician/gynecologist with TRMC. “I’m so glad I am able to continue to breastfeed and know it will provide my daughter with endless benefits.”
In 2011, the Kentucky WIC Program and University of Louisville provided Kangaroo Care training for all birthing hospitals in the state. Kangaroo Care promotes skin-to-skin contact for the mother and her baby immediately after birth and throughout the hospital stay. TRMC completed this training and implements Kangaroo Care as the standard practice for new mothers and their babies. The Kentucky WIC program also coordinates the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program that provides education and support for WIC participants that are pregnant or breastfeeding. “Kangaroo Care and the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program have helped significantly to increase the number of breastfed babies in our state,” said Ms. Carolyn McGinn, Breastfeeding Coordinator with the Lawrence County Health Department.
“As Lawrence County’s breastfeeding rates continue to rise, having trained staff at our local health department and Three Rivers Medical Center helps ensure mommies get the counseling and encouragement they need to reach their breastfeeding goals,” said Ms. Wilks.
For more information about breastfeeding call the Lawrence County Health Department at 606-638-9500 or visit these websites: www.kellymom.com and http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding.
This is a really great training.