undefined

August is National Breastfeeding Month, a time to highlight the importance of breastfeeding and the support available to new mothers. Mercy is committed to providing comprehensive resources to help mothers succeed in their breastfeeding journeys.

For many working mothers at Mercy, balancing their duties with breastfeeding can be challenging. Before maternity leave, Mercy offers free lactation consultations and tours of the hospital's dedicated lactation rooms. These resources help new mothers quickly learn the best practices and equipment to ensure a healthy breastfeeding relationship with their babies.

Initially, many mothers find breastfeeding challenging. It's common to wonder if the baby is getting enough milk or if the feeding technique is correct. To address these concerns, Mercy provides guidance and support from prenatal consults to returning-to-work consults. This comprehensive support aims to make both the mother's and the baby's lives as healthy as possible.

Mercy facilities in various locations, including Fort Smith and Rogers, Arkansas, and Oklahoma City and Ada, Oklahoma, offer comfortable, private rooms for new moms to express milk during the workday. In Missouri, Mercy hospitals in St. Louis, Springfield, Washington, and Crystal City have received Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Awards from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) and the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition.

The benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers, and babies experience fewer ear infections, respiratory infections, allergies, and hospital admissions. These health benefits translate into financial savings by avoiding the cost of formula, reducing absenteeism due to fewer illnesses, lowering health care costs due to fewer doctor visits, and improving productivity and retention.

More than 80 percent of new mothers in the United States now choose to breastfeed, recognizing its significant advantages. With Mercy's support, mothers can focus on their babies' growth and development, knowing they are providing the best start for their children.

Breastfeeding Care at Mercy

Breastfeeding is the most natural and nourishing way to feed your baby. Unlike any other food, mother's milk provides your baby with abundant nutritional support, antioxidants, enzymes, immune properties and live antibodies.

If you've never breastfed before, Mercy can help you get started, with education, personal assistance and ongoing support. Mercy also offers breastfeeding classes and support groups, where you can get additional in-person assistance and connect with other new moms.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Your milk is simply the best food you can give your baby. Breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby and offers emotional benefits for both of you. Research has shown that breastfeeding offers many health benefits for babies, including:

• Stronger immune systems and resistance to infection
• Decreased risk of bacterial meningitis
• Lower rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Less diarrhea, constipation and upset stomach
  
• Fewer colds and a decreased risk of pneumonia

The health benefits from breastfeeding continue even after your baby is weaned. Research has shown that breastfed children have a decreased risk of childhood cancers, type I and II diabetes and many other conditions. Additionally, there are benefits for moms, too, such as a lower risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, anemia and osteoporosis.

Lactation Consultants

It's common for new moms to have some challenges with breastfeeding - after all, this is new for you and your baby. Mercy's lactation specialists are experts in teaching you the basics of breastfeeding.

Our certified lactation consultants, available at each hospital, will guide you on techniques and timing. You'll learn how to store your milk, handle any challenges and get Dad involved in making breastfeeding a success. Even after you and your baby have gone home, our lactation consultants can help with any questions or challenges.

Breastfeeding in the NICU

Moms with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can use electric breast pumps to provide breast milk for their babies. After your baby leaves the NICU, we'll help you schedule follow-up appointments with your pediatrician or a Mercy lactation specialist until your baby is nursing well. We're also happy to provide breastfeeding supplies and follow-up consultations.

Breastfeeding is a beautiful, rewarding experience for you and your baby. Your Mercy lactation specialists welcome the opportunity to help you feel comfortable and confident every time you breastfeed.

Mercy, one of the 20 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation's largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including more than 50 acute care and specialty (heart, children's, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 900 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 4,500 physicians and advanced practitioners and 50,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2023 alone, Mercy provided more than half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid.