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Health Matters: Providence Mission Hospital | 5 "B reastfeeding is natural, but it's not always easy for mothers," says Jamie Shanafelt, RN, a certified lactation consultant. That's why Providence Mission Hospital offers new mothers who deliver at the hospital the option of free ongoing meetings with nurses who are specially trained as International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. The consultants can help new moms overcome the challenges of breastfeeding. Mission has two lactation consultants as well as Perinatal Nurse Navigator Kristine Andrews, RN, who is also certified. That means that there's always someone available to help when new mothers need it. According to Andrews, who has seven years' experience on the job, the most common problem is newborns not latching, meaning the baby doesn't take the nipple to feed. The solution can be as simple as showing the mother how to reposition the infant, Andrews says. Mission's lactation consulting services continue for 12 weeks after birth, and the majority of maternity patients take advantage of the program, Andrews says. "Most families plan to breastfeed at the beginning," she says. The benefits of breastfeeding, both to mothers and children, have well-documented scientific support and include reducing the risk of a host of diseases and conditions. For babies, it lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and a number of infections; for mothers, it protects against reproductive cancers, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Equally important, it fosters the emotional bond between baby and mom. IMPORTANT FOLLOW-UP The three months of support give the lactation consultants an important opportunity to monitor the well- being of the mother and baby. Shanafelt, who has been at Mission for 14 years, says, "There are a myriad of problems that can occur after the mother leaves the hospital: The baby may not be gaining weight quickly enough, or the mother has too much milk or not enough." During an outpatient visit, the lactation consultant weighs the baby to make sure it's thriving. On the first meeting with the lactation consultant in the hospital, Shanafelt says, "we spend anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour with the patient. Every patient has different needs." The consultants automatically meet with every first-time mother and by request with women who have had previous births. PROBLEM SOLVING Babies born prematurely, who often end up in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), pose some of the biggest challenges. Even if the baby is just a couple of weeks early and doesn't need the NICU, it may need extra help. "A baby born early may look mature," says Shanafelt, "but they 're not fully developed, so they need extra support. If the baby goes to the NICU, we get the mom pumping right away." Andrews explains that Mission provides high-quality breast pumps as a courtesy while a patient is in maternity care and makes them available for rent afterward. Mission also offers an additional free support program for new mothers, Bridges for Newborns, which is funded by a grant from the Children and Families Commission of Orange County. Bridges can help mothers get access to free breast pumps as well as breastfeeding help past the 12-week mark. The group also screens women for postpartum depression and anxiety. "It's a unique program," says Andrews. "I think the Bridges program is wonderful." Twins, whose births have become more frequent over the past 40 years, also create extra needs. "The challenge with multiple births is coming up with a feeding plan," says Shanafelt. Rather than try to exclusively breastfeed two infants, the new mother may opt for a combination of bottle feeding and breastfeeding or choose other solutions, like pumping to have milk ready. Working out a successful plan and considering alternatives in conjunction with the mother is the key goal for the lactation consultant. Jamie Shanafelt CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION OPTIONS Providence Mission Hospital offers a wide range of virtual and in-person classes for parents and grandparents taught by certified childbirth instructors. The classes are complimentary for anyone using Mission's maternity services. There's also an in- person and virtual tour of the Birth Center facilities that's free to everyone. Class topics include: • Baby Saver CPR • Breastfeeding Basics • Caring for Your Baby • Grandparenting For a complete listing of classes, visit providence.org/missionclasses.

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