OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital Acquires Third Outpatient Lactation Consultant Ahead of National Breastfeeding Month
Brandy Smith is soaking up every moment with her newborn son, Owen.
She's proud to be able to breastfeed him, but it hasn't exacty come easy.
“One of the things I struggled with was the different holds and how to do them," said Smith, who delivered at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. "Not only how to do them, but what they’re called. When you have a baby, there’s so much that you’re learning that you’ve never done before, so I wanted to go in being more prepared.”
That’s why Brandy scheduled a prenatal, outpatient lactation appointment.
The prenatal lactation services are relatively new at Mansfield Hospital. They just started in January, but OhioHealth Lactation Consultant Laura Allen says she’s already noticed it’s putting mom-to-be’s at ease.
“It’s an educational session where we can answer questions, address certain things, and then they also can tour the unit at the end," said Allen RN, BSN. "It’s been a great way to reach our moms prenatally and just give them some information before the baby gets here.”
The more education, the more confident mom is. Thankfully for moms in the Richland County area, these prenatal services will now be even easier to book at Mansfield Hospital. There’s now a third International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at the hospital. The certification requires a 95-credit course in lactation, hours of working with a breastfeeding mom, and passing a rigorous exam.
“Having a third IBCLC on staff allows us to expand our resources available to breastfeeding mothers,” said Allen. “We have our weekly support group, private outpatient lactation visits, and now the prenatal lactation education session for our pregnant mothers seeking more information about breast feeding. With more IBCLC's on staff, we can offer all of these options and maintain our inpatient services just after a mother delivers. "
New moms can use all the support they can get.
“It’s difficult," said Smith. "It’s a job, really.”
During National Breastfeeding Month, Smith wants breastfeeding moms to know it’s normal to have some issues trying to feed your baby, but there are plenty of local resources to help.
