Support healthy start for babies

By Linda Klein

World Breastfeeding Week is observed this week internationally as an opportunity to raise awareness about breastfeeding. One of the objectives this year is to “revitalize activities within health systems and among health care providers and communities to support women to achieve their breastfeeding intentions.”

We are proud of the strides we've made on the local level to encourage breastfeeding in our community. Mercy Medical Center is celebrating its 10th year of supporting nursing mothers through our breastfeeding support group. We've seen

an increase in breastfeeding initiation in our community in the past decade.

The national initiative, Healthy People 2010, as well as Healthy Iowa 2010, has developed a set of objectives for promoting health and preventing disease. Included are goals for breastfeeding initiation and duration. One of the national and state goals is a breastfeeding initiation rate of

75 percent. In 2001, Mercy's rate was 73 percent. For the first six months of 2010, it's at 84 percent.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and “breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child.”

Some mothers experience initial challenges with breastfeeding, while others are challenged by maintaining the relationship once the mother returns to work. The Mercy support group has served more than 2,000 babies and mothers since its inception in 2000. New mothers find help and support during the early days of breastfeeding when challenges can sometimes seem insurmountable. More experienced mothers lend their experience and wisdom.

We have seen so many friendships and playgroups spawn from this group. We have seen experienced mothers rally to support a tearful new mother feeling overwhelmed. We have seen some dedicated dads come to our group either accompanying the mother or attending while mom went back to work and was providing pumped milk.

During this week of celebration, if you know a nursing mom, give her a pat on the back for giving her baby the best possible start. If you are a nursing mom, congratulations on establishing a wonderful nursing relationship.

And if you are an alumnus of our breastfeeding support group, please join us at the Noelridge Park Lagoon Pavilion from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday to celebrate.

Linda Klein, MSN, RN, is a clinical improvement and accreditation nurse and an international board-certified lactation consultant at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Comments: keenollc@aol.com