HRH Highlights World Breastfeeding Week, Month in August

Hannibal Regional Hospital’s Chris Coons Women’s Care Center team members are highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week 2011, themed Breastfeeding, A 3-D Experience, August 1-7 and Missouri Breastfeeding Month - encouraging mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months.


As Missouri’s only Baby-Friendly™ facility, the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center has been recognized by the Missouri Department of Health as the state experts on breastfeeding and asked to share their expertise with other hospitals in the state. With their expertise, the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center team is supporting national goals of improving the health of U.S. citizens. The U.S. Surgeon General, as well as a White House Task Force and the U.S. government’s Healthy People 2020 objectives, have called for more education regarding the benefits of breastfeeding in order to foster healthier communities.

Hannibal Regional Hospital’s Chris Coons Women’s Care Center has achieved higher breastfeeding rates than the average at Missouri hospitals. Patient satisfaction rates have increased through support for new breastfeeding moms and their families on the importance and benefits of breastfeeding while they are in the hospital and after they go home.

Chris Coons Women’s Care Center offers twice-weekly breastfeeding support groups, held in the OB classroom on Mondays at 5 pm and Wednesdays at 10 am.  Reservations are not required and all breastfeeding moms are welcome, regardless of where their child was born. Women’s Care also offers a breastfeeding Warmline- 573-406-2122 - which  breastfeeding mothers can call anytime day or night for assistance with breastfeeding.

The Baby-Friendly initiative has the goal of increasing awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding in order to foster better health for babies and ultimately better health for our community.  Baby-Friendly is a worldwide effort of UNICEF and the World Health Organization. Hannibal Regional Hospital achieved the Baby-Friendly designation in 2009. Fewer than 4% of hospitals nationwide have achieved this designation which recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. 

For more information on the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center at Hannibal Regional Hospital or on breastfeeding, please call 573-406-5170.
Breast milk is widely acknowledged to be the most complete form of nutrition for infants and provides health benefits for both moms and babies.

  • Breastfeeding helps you get your figure back faster.  Mothers who breastfeed lose weight more easily after pregnancy. Breastfeeding helps your uterus return to normal size more quickly.
  • Going out is simple.  Breastfed babies are easy to take along. Nothing to pack along when you leave the house.
  • You’ll get more sleep.  Nighttime feedings are quick and easy. Nothing to prepare in the middle of the night.
  • Breastfeeding saves you money.  Breast milk is free - there is nothing to buy. And a healthier baby means fewer trips to the doctor.
  • Your breast milk is always ready to feed, nothing to mix, measure, heat or clean up.
  • Breastfeeding helps you feel close to your baby and feel confident about yourself as a mother
  • Feeding time is time for you to put your feet up, relax and snuggle with your baby.  The hormones released when breastfeeding have a natural relaxing effect on the mother.
  • Breastfeeding is a special gift only you can give your baby.
  • Breastfeeding may reduce your chance of getting breast cancer, ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
  • Spit up breast milk does not stain or smell bad.
  • Families of breastfed babies benefit from reduced health care costs.
 


Breast milk is widely acknowledged to be the most complete form of nutrition for infants and provides health benefits for both moms and babies. All current health research demonstrates that breast milk is extraordinary, is the most complete food for babies, and that the health benefit it provides is life long.  

  • Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby.  It is just what your baby needs in just the right amount.
  • Breast milk helps your baby grow strong and healthy.
  • Breast milk changes to meet your baby’s growing needs. No formula can do that.
  • Breast milk is gentle to your baby’s stomach and very easy to digest.
  • Your breast milk gives your baby protection against illness.
  • Colostrum - mothers first milk - helps build baby’s immunity.
  • Breastfed babies have fewer ear infections and respiratory infections.
  • Breastfed babies have fewer allergies.
  • Your baby’s dirty diapers will have very little odor.
  • Breastfed babies are less likely to develop diabetes.
  • Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese as teenagers and adults.