MAY 2022 D7
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
OH BABY
Breastfeeding 101
Plains Health has seen more mothers choose to breastfeed following the implementation of its lactation program. In 2021, the Nebraska state score of mothers exclusively breastfeeding was 73 percent. Great Plains Health ended 2021 with 76 percent of mothers exclusively breastfeeding. “Many mothers are scared or simply don’t know yet how breastfeeding works,” Findley says. “It’s definitely a learning curve and I am passionate for helping moms work through this experience. It is a very
special process for moms.” Findley connects with parents and helps lead Breastfeeding 101 at Great Plains Health, a class taught by a certified lactation team that gives parents a solid foundation of knowledge about all aspects of breastfeeding. Topics include benefits of breastfeeding, how milk is made, supply and demand, skin-to-skin, feeding cues, positioning, pumping, milk storage and more. Classes are led monthly. Visit gphealth.org/calendar to reserve your spot.
Courtesy photo Great Plains Health Employee Serena Findley, RN, BSN, (left) with a new mother and her baby.
Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting time, but also filled with many questions. How do I care for my baby? How do I feed my little one? Should I try breastfeeding or not? Along every step of the journey, Great Plains Health can help parents navigate these questions. Serena Findley, BSN, RN, is the prepared childbirth educator and lactation consultant at Great Plains Health. She has nearly a decade of experience as an internationally board certified lactation consultant. Findley helps parents learn about the feeding options for their baby and works alongside
mothers learning how to breastfeed. She advocates for breastfeeding whenever possible. “Human milk is the very best food for most babies. It is especially critical for pre- term or ill infants who are at a greater risk for intestinal infections. Human milk contains antibodies to fight disease and infection and also protects against allergies,” Findley explains. Breastmilk contains growth hormones to help babies grow and properties that have been shown to increase intelligence and decrease risk of obesity and diabetes later in life. While the benefits of
breastfeeding are often focused on the babies’ development, moms also benefit from breastfeeding with decreased risk of cancer, decreased bleeding and help losing pregnancy weight faster. “We care about the mother and baby,” Katie Bruns, RN, BSN, RN coordinator, women’s and children’s, says. “Sometimes breastfeeding is the best option and sometimes it is not; but, if it is a matter of empowering the mother with the knowledge, resources and training so that she can breastfeed, then we will do everything we can to support that mother and her little one.” Over the last four years, Great
Photo by Tiffany Williams Photography
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