Wayne Memorial Hospital celebrates World Breastfeeding Week
Honesdale. This year’s theme is ‘Let’s make breastfeeding work, at work.’
| 01 Aug 2023 | 03:39
Brittany Kimble, RN, BSN, IBCLC, who provides lactation consultations for patients at Wayne Memorial Hospital and WMCHC, is shown standing in the hospital’s Lactation Room. The room is a special accommodation for employees who are lactating mothers and may be utilized for up to one year following the birth of their child. Provided photo.
Wayne Memorial’s International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Brittany Kimble, RN, BSN, IBCLC, is a champion for breastfeeding families throughout the year.
During August 1-7, celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week, Kimble educates the community about the positive impact breastfeeding has on mother, child and society. This year’s theme, “Let’s make breastfeeding work, at work” speaks to how Kimble assists nursing moms prepare for their return to the workplace.
Kimble says planning starts by making sure every expectant mother receives a breast pump through their insurance and then continues with support and preparation for a successful return to work.
“I schedule a ‘back to work consult’ around 6 – 8 weeks post-partum,” she stated. During this time topics such as maintaining a good pump schedule, how to pace feed the baby to avoid overfeeding and correct storage of breastmilk are discussed. “I find that the preparation is so important. The more prepared we are the easier the transition we have.”
Kimble also emphasized legal rights women have within the workplace through the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act requiring most employers nationwide to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for lactating employees to pump milk during the work day. A
s employers, Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC) support breastfeeding mothers when they are separated from their newborn and recognize the challenge associated with return to work by “providing a comfortable and inclusive workplace for nursing mothers.”
For instance, the hospital has a designated Lactation Room for its employees complete with a small refrigerator, microwave and storage space.
Although (WMCHC) does not have dedicated lactation rooms at its outpatient sites, accommodations are in place for a private space with a lock on the door to ensure new mothers can breastfeed as needed without interruption.
Kimble noted that her services as a lactation consultant are available to all patients who deliver at Wayne Memorial Hospital’s New Beginnings Birthing Suites as well as anyone who would like to establish as a patient at WMCHC’s Women’s Health Center by calling 570-253-3005.
To hear Kimble further discuss services available to breastfeeding moms and moms preparing to breastfeed listen to the Healthworks podcast by going to www.wmh.org/healthworks. To learn more about all maternity services by Wayne Memorial, visit wmh.org/givingbirth.