Athens’ St. Mary’s Hospital has recently been recognized for its efforts to promote, protect and support breastfeeding. The hospital received the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC, award.
Donna Jenkin sis aboard certified lactation consultant with the hospital.
“We’re seeing every patient, every day,” Jenkins said. “We see NICU mommies and the babies on the mother/baby floor to encourage the breastfeeding and make sure the latch on is going well and the baby is getting good nutrition at the breast.”
According to IBCLC Chair, Roberto Issler, the organization identifies agencies that dedicate efforts to promote and provide a lactation program.
St. Mary’s certified lactation consultants work with families before and after childbirth to help establish and maintain the breastfeeding relationship. Jenkins says nursing provides several benefits for moms and babies.
“Some of the benefits for moms is that it makes the uterus contact right away and gets the bleeding to stop, or slow down at least. It helps reduce the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer; and it helps with baby’s immune system.”
Services include one-on-one education and problem-solving, telephone and personal consultations, and weekly support group meetings. They also assist mothers with pumping and with the nutrition of newborns in neonatal intensive care. For more information about St. Mary's Family Birth Center and lactation services, visit www.stmarysathens.org.
