According to new research, hospitals throughout the U.S., including Hillcrest Medical Center, have worked to improve breastfeeding programs available for new mothers. In fact, the number of hospitals that have adopted the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding initiative nearly doubled from 29 percent in 2007 to 54 percent in 2013. “Hillcrest Medical Center is proud to be one of the 1,046 hospitals across the country that is working to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and become a baby-friendly designated facility,” shares certified lactation consultant Cheryl Coleman, RN, BSN, IBCLC.
That work goes beyond Hillcrest lactation consultants working with mother and baby on beginning to breastfeed, but involves all of the staff, Cheryl says. “Our support of breastfeeding and best practices to improve care for both mothers and babies includes skin-to-skin holding right after the baby is born, education for all of our staff to assist each mother with feeding her baby and keeping mothers and babies together during their entire stay, so they can get to know each other and spend plenty of time getting their breastfeeding relationship started,” she adds. Hillcrest Medical Center also provides childbirth and breastfeeding education classes prior to delivery. Five international board certified lactation consultants are available for all mothers who deliver at Hillcrest to get off to a good start with breastfeeding their baby. Once at home, mothers can call for additional support through the MilkLine at 918-579-8018.
“Breastfeeding is indeed a public health issue and Hillcrest is working hard to achieve best practices when caring for our mothers and babies to ensure a healthy start and a long and happy breastfeeding experience,” Cheryl says.
For more information about lactation services at Hillcrest, click here. To learn more about Labor of Love - a free program for expectant mothers, please click here.
