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 “It was an easy decision. I knew that breastfeeding was best for the
baby and for the mother,” said Jessica Gordon of Lincoln. Gordon had
met with a Springfield Clinic lactation counselor prior to giving
birth so that she could feel as prepared as possible.
Grayson James was born on August 25 weighing 7 pounds 13 ounces and
measuring 19 inches. Mom and baby are doing great but like most new
moms and babies, they are navigating the first few days of a new
routine.
“The nurses have been very supportive,” said Gordon. “We have had
some breastfeeding challenges but the nurses are knowledgeable and
have been helpful giving us a variety of suggestions to find out
what works best for me and Grayson.”
“ALMH is committed through our policies, practices and partnerships
to promote breastfeeding,” said Elizabeth Meyrick, ALMH family
maternity suites manager. “We work closely with Springfield Clinic
to ensure that moms feel prepared to breastfeed before birth. Over
half of our family maternity suites colleagues are certified
lactation counselors. When the baby arrives, we are able to build on
that education and provide the resources and support mothers need
for success.”
The very next day, Janessa Merritt of Hopedale gave birth to her
baby. Malia Brewer weighed 5 pounds 2 ounces and measured 16 ½
inches. Merritt knew breastfeeding was a priority for her and her
new baby.
“My mom breastfed me, my grandma breastfed. It’s something that most of the
women in my family have done,” said Merritt. “Breastfeeding is the best thing
for both of us so I always knew that I wanted to breastfeed my child. It’s the
ideal nutrition for the baby and is made specifically for them and what they
need.”
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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that as the baby grows,
the mother’s breast milk changes to meet their nutrition needs. Breast milk can
also help protect mother and baby against some short- and long-term illnesses
and diseases such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, asthma, obesity, ear
infections and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about
6 months and then continuing breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods
until the child is 12 months or older. The AAP says that this provides ideal
nutrition and supports growth and development.
The ALMH Community Health Collaborative has a breastfeeding task force to
promote breastfeeding as an evidence-based initiative to improve health
outcomes. In Logan County, free “breastfeeding is welcome here” vinyl clings are
distributed to any interested community establishment to provide a supportive
environment to nursing moms, a breastfeeding support group is hosted weekly, and
special gift bags are presented to breastfeeding mothers at ALMH with a variety
of helpful items including the latest addition, a pair of socks that say “This
is a breastfeeding mom, if you can read this.”
If any business is interested in a vinyl cling to provide a welcoming
environment for breastfeeding mothers, contact ALMH community health
collaborative director Angela Stoltzenburg at 217-605-5008. Mothers interested
in the weekly breastfeeding support group that meets from 11:30am-1pm can
contact the ALMH obstetrics department at 217-605-5231.
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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