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Overview |
Resources
“Human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and is
species-specific; all substitute feeding options differ
markedly from it. Extensive research, especially in recent
years, documents diverse and compelling advantages to
infants, mothers, families and society from breastfeeding
and the use of human milk for infant feeding. These include
health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental,
psychological, social, economic, and environmental
benefits.” American Academy of Pediatrics Work Group on
Breastfeeding (Pediatrics, 1997; 100:1035-1039)
 The
World Health Organization has set specific goals and
guidelines to increase breastfeeding initiation and improve
duration around the world. The American Academy of
Pediatrics, in its 1997 statement, supports breastfeeding
through the first year of life, and longer if the mother and
infant so desire. In order to accomplish these goals,
breastfeeding education and support must take place at all
levels: pre- and post-natally, newborn nurseries and
maternity units, out-patient clinics and private physician
offices, hospitals that serve mothers and infants, and in
the community.
The medically compromised child often poses the greatest
challenges to breastfeeding, yet may have the most to gain
from breastmilk and the behaviors associated with
breastfeeding. Here at Connecticut Children’s Medical
Center, we feel it is very important to make information
available to families and employees so they can make
informed feeding decisions, and to support them in achieving
their breastfeeding goals.
The CCMC Lactation Committee is composed of dedicated
professionals from all areas of CCMC who share the common
goal of supporting and promoting breastfeeding as the
optimal source of infant nutrition. We have representatives
from the nursing units, administration, an area
pediatrician, a neonatologist, a certified lactation
consultant, nutrition, VNA, Home Care Network, nursing
education, occupational therapy, the Pediatric Residency
Program, Social Service, Human Resources, Infectious
Disease/Epidemiology, the Medical Library and Education.
 Co-Chairs
of this Committee are Claire Dalidowitz, RD and Kathleen
Marinelli, MD, IBCLC. Previously, we have written protocols
for the safe handling and use of breastmilk in our
institution, and have provided breastfeeding resources on
all patient care units. An on-going project has been the
education of our staff. In 1999, three eight-hour
breastfeeding training sessions were held for the staff of
the NICU; in the past year, five similar sessions have been
held for medical/surgical staff.
In 2000-2001, we developed nursing care plans for
breastfeeding families on the medical/surgical units and the
NICU. As an institution, we were heavily involved in the
passage of HB 5656 An Act Concerning Breastfeeding in the
Workplace. This law protects a woman's right to breastfeed
or express her milk in the workplace during breaks or
mealtimes in a clean, private environment. We also continue
to improve services for breastfeeding families at CCMC and
are about to launch a breastfeeding friendly workplace
initiative.
For families walking through the doors of CCMC today, there
are support systems in place. Much of that support currently
hinges on work that has been ongoing in the NICU for over 10
years. The NICU Lactation Committee, currently chaired by
Stephanie McGuire, APRN, IBCLC, fosters ongoing improvement
in the care of the breastfeeding dyad there.
The Lactation Support Team, which consists of Mary
Lussier, BSN, IBCLC, a lactation consultant, Sally Leed, MS,
RN, a developmental specialist, and Kathleen Marinelli, MD,
IBCLC, a neonatologist, makes breastfeeding rounds, answers
questions for both mothers and staff, and provides hands-on
lactation support. Most of their work is in the NICU, but
they are available to the entire institution. They also hold
a weekly mother’s support meeting in the NICU, the “Milk
Club”. Of critical importance, most of the nursing staff of
the NICU has been trained, and feels comfortable giving
lactation support to our mothers.
The NICU has become a rental depot for electric breast pumps
for NICU moms. This has allowed moms of premature or sick
term infants to establish and maintain a milk supply until
their babies are able to breastfeed well. We have opened
this service to mothers of any babies/children admitted to
CCMC.
CCMC is also dedicated to supporting our employees who
themselves are breastfeeding their children and return to
work. We have opened a “pumping room” on the eighth floor,
equipped with an electric breast pump. Any employee can
purchase the kits with which to use this pump at a nominal
fee, or bring their own personal pump, and make use of this
room at any time. The breastfeeding friendly workplace
initiative will make information on breastfeeding available
to any employee and supports once a breastfeeding mother
returns to work.
We are proud of the commitment of this institution to the
promotion, support and protection of breastfeeding. As we
continue to set in place some of these initiatives, we will
be bringing with them more educational opportunities for
staff, and better breastfeeding support for our patients,
their mothers and families.
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