Children’s & Women’s Hospital recognized for breastfeeding and lactation care
Children’s & Women’s Hospital was one of four hospitals recognized in Alabama. This is the second time the hospital was acknowledged for their lactation and breastfeeding efforts.
By Brittany Otis
botis@health.southalabama.edu
USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital recently received the IBCLC Care Award, a certificate of excellence for its lactation and breastfeeding practices.
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners presented the award to the hospital.
Children’s & Women’s Hospital was one of four hospitals recognized in Alabama. This is the second time the hospital was acknowledged for their lactation and breastfeeding efforts.
“It is an honor to receive this award for our lactation group who strives to ensure that every new mother receives the lactation and breastfeeding assistance she needs throughout her stay at our hospital and beyond,” said Veronica Hudson, MSN, DNP, nurse-manager for the Mother-Baby unit.
The hospital’s lactation consultants are comprised of registered nurses who work in the Mother-Baby and Neonatal Intensive Care units. Some members of that staff are known as Delivery Care Nurses. As the only dedicated Delivery Care Nurse group in Mobile and Baldwin counties, they provide breastfeeding and lactation assistance as part of the patient's care.
They are dedicated to increasing the bond between the mother and baby through lactation practices, breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these practices have numerous health benefits for the mother and baby such as lower risks of cancers, diabetes and other diseases.
The IBCLC Care Award is a global certificate that showcases hospitals, birthing facilities and community-based health agencies that have a dedicated lactation and breastfeeding support program.
