Lactation Center
Phelps County Regional Medical Center’s Lactation Clinic is a free service that offers breastfeeding support for expecting or new mothers. The clinic was founded in 2004 because women needed additional outpatient support achieving their breastfeeding goals. New mothers are seen on an inpatient basis by one of the three registered nurses and lactation consultants. They are able to ask questions and receive tips and guidance from the consultants to get past any initial breastfeeding problems. New mothers are sometimes concerned that their babies are not receiving enough nourishment from nursing alone, and the staff at the Lactation Clinic is able to weigh the baby before and after nursing to determine how much sustenance the baby has consumed in one feeding.
“This quick and easy service is one of the best ways to ensure the baby is eating enough and to provide positive reinforcement for the mother. When we do these consultations, we are trying to minimize problems new moms might have and encourage long-term breastfeeding. We see 900 women a year in maternity, and 100 of these mothers come back to utilize the lactation center. We have a 74% breastfeeding initiation rate with new mothers, and we would like to keep watching that number climb,” said Julie Conaway, registered nurse and international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).
Exclusive breastfeeding provides a host of health benefits for both mother and child. Breastfed babies have a lower occurrence of stomach viruses, respiratory illnesses, ear infections, meningitis, obesity and allergies. Breastfeeding also lowers the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There are also numerous health benefits for the mother, including reduced risk of uterine, ovarian and breast cancer, increased metabolism while nursing and a diminished likelihood of developing osteoporosis later in life. Breast milk is a perfect food and also free; new mothers who exclusively nurse are able to eliminate the cost of formula which can run upwards of $700 in the first year.
“Breastfeeding is so important for babies because of immune factors and nutrition,” said Conaway. “Moms are able to experience financial benefits while knowing they are providing the perfect food for their baby. It is a win-win for mother and baby.”
“One of the ways we are promoting the importance of breastfeeding is through the Golden Hour program. The Golden Hour helps parents get the best possible start with their newborn by promoting immediate bonding in the first hour of life. Skin-to-skin contact helps the baby adapt to life outside the womb. The contact helps regulate the baby’s breathing and heart rate as well as keep the baby warm. Breastfeeding works better if the baby gets to nurse during that first hour where the instinct to nurse is the strongest.”
The PCRMC Lactation Clinic offers nursing products to help make breastfeeding a comfortable experience for mother and child. The clinic provides a variety of products for rent or sale at significantly reduced rates. Items for sale include the following:
- Boppy and My Breast Friend - The pillow lifts babies to a more ergonomic position for comfortable feedings and transitions to support them as they grow.
- Medela breast pumps and accessories – mothers who meet WIC eligibility requirements are able to buy a breast pump from $50-$100 depending on income
- Moby wraps - The Moby wraps are comfortable, secure wearable baby slings.
- Nursing bras
The clinic offers hospital-grade Medela breast pumps for rent. Hospital-grade pumps are an excellent option when there are initial barriers to nursing. Some babies are not able to properly nurse from birth due to birth defects such as a cleft palate, premature birth weight or just an inability to latch on properly. Mothers who want to provide their children with the best possible start to life often use hospital-grade breast pumps because they are the strongest and most durable of any model of pump. Hospital pumps are also accessible right after birth and can be used at PCRMC if unforeseen circumstances arrive after the birth that mandate the mother express milk as sustenance for her newborn.
The PCRMC Lactation Clinic also offers free education classes to the community with topics including late pregnancy, childbirth, infant care and breastfeeding. All classes have a breastfeeding component but the breastfeeding class is exclusively about nursing. Mothers learn how to establish a good milk supply, how to get the baby to latch, how to know if the baby is getting enough milk and different positions for breastfeeding.
To learn more about the PCRMC Lactation Clinic or to enroll in a class, please call 573-458-7353.