Hopkins County Memorial Hospital has another feather in it’s cap.. being among 30 hospitals in a Breastfeeding Collaborative and taking a lead in the success of that project. Since 2015 when Memorial joined the Collaborative, the Perinatal Department reports that rates of mothers who were breastfeeding their babies when they left the hospital has gone from less than 20% to over 70%. It is being shown that babies who nurse experience less obesity and fewer allergies. Additionally, skin-to-skin contact between newborns and mothers (and dads!) has increased as well, resulting in wellness benefits for everyone involved. Memorial Hospital employs lactation nurses who assist and coach moms with breastfeeding while in the hospital and offer support through the nursery for lactating moms to ensure they can successfully breastfeed after they leave the hospital.
Seated L to R: Lactation Nurse Kristi Couch, Arnetha Sanderson Perinatal Director, Labor and Delivery Supervisor Anjeanee Hohenburger, Nursery Supervisor Nancy McIlwain.
