Opelousas General Health System will celebrateNational Breastfeeding Month during August.
Breastfeeding is optimal nutrition and the perfect life-sustaining food for babies, and it has a positive impact on the health and well-being of both baby and mother which lasts far beyond infancy. Breastfeeding mothers experience a lower risk of heart disease, breast and ovarian cancers, osteoporosis and diabetes. Another interesting fact is that evidence-based research indicates that infants and children who are breastfed are at a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, infections of the ear, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, asthma, meningitis and obesity. The list of benefits for both mother and baby are virtually endless.
The goal in celebrating National Breastfeeding Month is to bring awareness and education to the public about the benefits of breastfeeding and call to action communities, employers and families to assist new mothers in growing healthier families and thus, communities by giving them the support and tools they need to continue to breastfeed for at least 1 year, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Mayor Donald Cravins will sign a proclamation today declaring August as National Breastfeeding Month for the City of Opelousas.
On August 6th, 7th and 8th, OGHS will provide education about breastfeeding to the public in our main front lobby from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Also scheduled is a community baby shower on August 21st in our 3rd floor Auditorium from 4-6 p.m. Various breastfeeding support organizations and vendors will be on hand to provide information to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Immediately following, our breastfeeding education segment of our Prenatal Class series will be presented from 6-8 pm. For more information on registering for our FREE prenatal classes being held August 7th, 14th & 21st, call (337) 948-5103.
"Opelousas General is on a journey to becoming Baby-Friendly, a designation that no hospital in Acadiana currently holds. Breastfeeding is a key component to this designation and thus far, our patients are embracing this concept extremely well", said Marie Kaiser, Unit Coordinator of Obstetrics and Gynecology at OGHS. We now have a full time Lactation Consultant on hand for our new breastfeeding mothers. Lauren David, BSN, RN, IBCLC, provides support and education to our new mothers as inpatients immediately postpartum, and is available for outpatient consults as well.