Twin Cities receives award from Central Coast Breastfeeding Coalition
–Twin Cities Community Hospital has received the Breastfeeding Barrier-Breaker Award from the Central Coast Breastfeeding Coalition.
The award was presented to the Twin Cities team on Aug. 7, 2018, at the Board of Supervisors Chambers for helping break down barriers to breastfeeding in San Luis Obispo County.
Aug. 1-7, 2018, was World Breastfeeding Week, a time to spotlight the benefits of breastfeeding. The Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution proclaiming August as World Breastfeeding Awareness Month in San Luis Obispo County.
Twin Cities Birth & Baby Center is internationally recognized as a Baby-Friendly birth facility by Baby-Friendly USA. This achievement means the facility is using some of the most effective methods known to help mothers succeed at breastfeeding, such as skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn. The staff also encourages new families to room-in, meaning that parents and baby remain together in the same room throughout their hospital stay. Both of these practices encourage bonding and improve a baby’s ability to breastfeed.
Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for newborns, and has many health benefits for both babies and mothers. As a Baby-Friendly hospital, Twin Cities is committed to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as outlined by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and provides certified lactation consultants to offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. If additional breastfeeding support is needed once a family has gone home, outpatient lactation services are available at the Twin Cities Lactation Clinic.
Breastfeeding creates a strong bond between mother and child. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients to help your baby grow into a healthy toddler. Studies have shown that breastfed children and those who receive expressed breast milk for six months are protected against some common childhood illnesses and infections, such as diarrhea, ear infections and respiratory illnesses.
Mothers who breastfeed tend to have increased self-esteem and could experience fewer episodes of post-delivery depression, according to the hospital. Mothers who have breastfed their babies also may have a reduced risk for developing breast, uterine or ovarian cancer. Many experts recommend breastfeeding for as long as possible, one year or even longer.
For those with questions about breastfeeding or who would like to talk to a lactation consultant may call the Twin Cities Breastfeeding Support Line at (805) 434-4644. To learn more about breastfeeding classes and support groups offered at Twin Cities, click here.
Other recipients of the Breastfeeding Barrier-Breaker Award from the Central Coast Breastfeeding Coalition include Public Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Peer Counselors: Noelia Serrano, Noemi Martinez and Leti Ramirez.
