Hospital Receives LEARN Breastfeeding Hospital Champion Designation
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Columbus Community Hospital’s maternal child department received the Lactation Education Across Rural Nebraska (LEARN) Breastfeeding Hospital Champion designation from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS).
The overall goal of the LEARN Breastfeeding Hospital Champion campaign is to improve breastfeeding outcomes. The six core initiatives of the campaign include immediate postpartum care, rooming-in, feeding practices, feeding education and support, discharge support and institutional management.
New mothers receive education and support on breastfeeding throughout their birthing journey at CCH. The education begins with the hospital’s Bump & Beyond Prepared Childbirth class, continues through their birthing stay, and remains available after the patient departs from the hospital.
“We’re honored to receive the LEARN Breastfeeding Hospital Champion designation, because it commemorates the hard work of our nurses and the mothers who choose to breastfeed,” said Tawny Sandifer, vice president of patient care services at the hospital. “Our lactation support works diligently to set each mother up for success, and this recognition further shows our dedication to improving breastfeeding practices in our community.”
The hospital has two board-certified lactation consultants and a certified lactation counselor who use evidence-based practices to support and educate families. They are available to provide encouragement and information as they empower new parents to make their own decisions.
Lactation support is also available by appointment after new mothers return home, and can offer information on the following:
Comfort positions to help babies latch.
Breast pain or infections.
Whether babies are getting enough milk.
Pumping and storing milk safely.
Skin-to-skin contact after delivery.
Nursing multiples or babies with special needs.
Breastfeeding mothers returning to work.
“As a LEARN Breastfeeding Hospital Champion, we are committed to promoting and educating our patients and families about breastfeeding,” said Kim Eisenmann, the hospital’s maternal child health director. “We are dedicated to supporting our patients in their breastfeeding journey before, during and after their stay at Columbus Community Hospital.”
This is the first time the NDHHS has offered the award. CCH is one of 19 hospitals across the state to receive this designation.
To learn more about Columbus Community Hospital’s maternal child health department and lactation services, visit columbushosp.org.