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 Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital supports the effort to
recognize that breastfeeding provides a strong emotional connection
between mother and infant; provides a safe, reliable and renewable
food source; and is a proven primary prevention strategy, protecting
both infants and mothers from a host of chronic and acute diseases
and conditions.
Breastfeeding can lower a mother’s risk of high blood pressure, Type
2 diabetes, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Infants who are
breastfed have reduced risks of asthma, obesity, Type 1 diabetes,
severe lower respiratory disease, ear infections, sudden infant
death syndrome (SIDS) and gastrointestinal infections.
“Breastfeeding provides unmatched health benefits for babies and
mothers. It is the clinical gold standard for infant feeding and
nutrition, with breast milk uniquely tailored to meet the health
needs of a growing baby. We must do more to create supportive and
safe environments for mothers who choose to breastfeed,” said Dr.
Ruth Petersen, director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity.
Most mothers want to breastfeed but stop early due to lack of
ongoing support. And while breastfeeding is natural, ALMH recognizes
that it doesn’t always come naturally. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, only one in four infants is
exclusively breastfed as recommended by the time they are 6 months
old. These low rates add more than $3 billion a year to medical
costs for the mother and child in the United States. Black infants
are 15% less likely to have ever been breastfed than white infants.
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Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is proud to support local breastfeeding
mothers, regardless of where they birth their babies with a free, weekly
breastfeeding support experience. Each Wednesday between 12pm – 1:30pm, new
mothers and their infants are invited to meet with an ALMH Family Maternity
Suites registered nurse who has earned a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
certification. Time can be spent asking questions, weighing the baby and
receiving any support needed to ensure success.
The breastfeeding meetings are held in a safe environment for mothers and babies
and has been adjusted to accommodate COVID-19 precautions. Upon arrival to the
ALMH, a temperature check and screening is completed and masks are provided. The
number of participants are limited and siblings are not allowed to attend at
this time to ensure social distancing. All surfaces are sanitized to ensure a
safe environment. For those who are not able to attend the support meetings, a
24 hours a day breastfeeding support line can be reached at 217-605-5233
offering free access to an ALMH registered nurse. Mothers interested in the
breastfeeding support in-person meetings can call 217-605-5231. There are no
reservations required.
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital located
at 200 Stahlhut Drive in Lincoln, Illinois. ALMH is an affiliate of Memorial
Health System. For more information, visit
www.ALMH.org.
[Angela Stoltzenburg]
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