Breastfeeding Education at Penn Highlands
Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding is a skill and takes a little time to develop. New moms and their babies are learning together, so being patient and persistent is important.
The goal of Penn Highlands Healthcare is the promotion, protection and support of our patient's choice to breast feed, as well as creating a culture of education and understanding.
We offer lactation support to all mothers wishing to breastfeed. Pre-hospital breastfeeding instruction is offered along with the prenatal classes held at PH DuBois.
The hospital offers support after baby arrives, too. Lactation counselors work in the unit to help new moms after deliveries. Upon discharge, staff is happy to take calls from new moms who may have breastfeeding questions or concerns.
Why breastfeed?
Penn Highlands Healthcare encourages all moms to breastfeed their newborns.
Breastfeeding is best for baby. It’s as simple as that. There are so many benefits from breastfeeding. It benefits the baby, the mother and the family.
Babies who are breast fed are provided with perfect nutrition and everything they need for healthy growth and brain development. It offers protection from respiratory infections, certain diseases and other life-threatening ailments and protection against obesity and non-communicable diseases such as asthma and diabetes.
Statistics show that breastfed babies are healthier from the start. They have fewer doctor visits, less severe diarrhea, fewer respiratory infections, fewer ear infections and reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.
Breastfeeding also helps moms. It can prevent too much bleeding after the baby is born, and it helps the uterus to return to the size it was prior to pregnancy. It helps moms return to prepregnancy weight earlier and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer and premenopausal breast cancer. It can also increase confidence as a mom and provide a bonding opportunity.
Families can save a lot of money if not buying formula. The federal Office of Women’s Health says that the United States would also save $2.2 billion per year as medical care costs are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants. Breastfed infants usually need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions and hospitalizations.
It is also the green thing to do. Breastfeeding means there are no containers going to landfills, no energy used to prepare a product and no transportation costs. Breastfed babies are easy to take on trips with you, and nighttime feedings are easier.
Some may say that mom’s breastfeeding leaves nothing for dad to do. But anyone who has had a baby can tell you there is a lot to do. Dad can bring the baby to mom to nurse. He can burp baby during feedings and spend time holding, cuddling and bathing the baby - and changing diapers is always a must!
Support Groups
For those who would like to meet and talk to others who are breastfeeding moms, there are groups that meet regularly under the guidance of a maternity nurse.
Mom-to-Mom Breastfeeding Connection at Penn Highlands DuBois, is held for moms who breast feed or those who have in the past who want to show support to new moms. Call 814-375-2229 for more information.
