News
Beebe Medical Center Expands Lactation Services
07/18/07
In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, Beebe Medical Center announces the expansion of its Lactation Services Program within the Women's Health Pavilion at the main campus in Lewes.
"We are proud to be developing a comprehensive lactation center of excellence here at Beebe Medical Center," says Susan E. Oswalt, RN, MSN, Director, Women's Health Services at Beebe Medical Center.
As part of the expansion, Nancy Hastings RN, IBCLC, who has worked as a nurse for more than 25 years in the Women's Health Pavilion, has accepted the position as a full-time Lactation Consultant. She will have regularly scheduled hours from Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and be located in the Women's Health Pavilion. She will also be available for phone consultation and other scheduled, follow-up appointments to assist new mothers and their babies with breast-feeding concerns. While mothers who have delivered their babies at Beebe Medical Center will get the first follow-up visit for free, all other visits will include a fee. Mothers who have delivered babies at other hospitals are welcome to obtain this fee-based service. This flexibility will allow Beebe Medical Center to better meet the needs mothers and their families. For more information, or to schedule any follow up visits, call Mrs. Hastings at 645-3577.
Meta Sharp-Franz RNC, IBCLC, who has worked in the Women's Health Pavilion for more than 22 years, will be available part time as a lactation consultant. Both Mrs. Hastings and Mrs. Sharp-Franz have been International Board Certified Lactation Consultants since 1995 and have extensive experience working with new mothers and aiding them in their efforts to breastfeed.
In addition to currently having breast pumps for rent, the expansion of the Lactation Services Program also includes the introduction of a line of lactation products that will be for sale at the Women's Health Pavilion. Some of these items will include, but not limited to, nursing pillows, a variety of Medela breast pumps, storage bags and various supplies.
It has long been known that human milk is beneficial to babies. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula. Breastfeeding also is healthy for mothers, and has physiological and emotional benefits.
World Breastfeeding Week, to take place August 1 through August 7, is sponsored by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, which protects, promotes and supports breastfeeding worldwide. During this week, all mothers who are breastfeeding at the time of discharge will receive a complimentary nursing pillow.
Caption: Meta Sharp-Franz, left, and Nancy Hastings hold up a display that describes the benefits of breastfeeding.
Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org
|
