The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding babies for nutritional value, disease-fighting factors, digestibility and other reasons.
Moms are heeding the academy's advice.

More than half of the babies born at Southeast Missouri Hospital's Dennis B. Elrod, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology Center "eat at Mom's," said certified lactation consultant Cheryl Wormington, RN, IBClC.

Sixty-five percent of mothers who deliver at Southeast initiate breastfeeding in the hospital, Wormington said.

Cheryl Wormington, RN, IBCIC, at right,
discusses the benefits of breastfeeding
with Angela Schlitt.

That high percentage can be attributed to the lactation support women receive while a patient at Southeast and after they go home."Southeast believes that lactation support is extremely important," Wormington added.

"The goal of our Lactation Consultant Program is to give new mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies."

After delivering at Southeast, each breastfeeding mother is given an educational packet as well as names and phone numbers for lactation support after mother and baby go home.

"Often times, it's the support that keeps them going," Wormington said. "Moms know they can call me on Sunday afternoon, in the middle of the night, whenever. Most moms today can't rely on their mothers or grandmothers for support because most of them didn't breastfeed. A lot of times when moms call they just need good, everyday advice. And we're happy to be able to offer that advice."

For convenience, Southeast Pharmacy, located at 69 Doctors' Park and "The Wishing Well" Gift Shop located in the Hospital's Lobby, are Medela Breast Pump rental stations. Breast pumps and other lactation supplies are also available for purchase at these locations.

Southeast's Generations Family Resource Center also offers Breastfeeding Classes twice each month for no fee. The class covers breastfeeding benefits, techniques, nutrition and pumping information.