Medisys Health Network Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week

 In the past, Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals celebrate World Breastfeeding Week by organizing events to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding. This year proved no different.

For World Breastfeeding Week, which was held from August 1 to August 7, Flushing Hospital became an informational hub, promoting breastfeeding and providing expecting mothers and breastfeeding mothers with literature on laws surrounding breastfeeding, various breastfeeding positions, and the benefits of breastfeeding. Staff was also available to answer all breastfeeding related questions.

Jamaica Hospital, as well, setup an informational and giveaway table at its Women’s Health Center. Breastfeeding information, community resource numbers, donated baby blankets, teddy bears, and refreshments were given to pregnant and breastfeeding women.

“Breast feeding is the natural process of feeding a baby after birth,” explained Kathreen Pattett, CNM, MSN, WHNP, Director of Midwifery at Jamaica Hospital. “Over the past few decades, women have gone away from this natural process and adopted a much "easier" way of formula feeding. It’s unfortunate because breastfeeding has tremendous health benefits to the babies and the mothers including, a reduction in infectious diseases, improved bonding and maternal wellness after delivery, and it boast huge economic saving.”

Earlier this year, both facilities became participants in the city’s “Latch on New York” program. As part of the program, Flushing and Jamaica Hospitals will no longer distribute formula, literature on formula, or other products that promote formula to new mothers—unless it is medically required or at a mother’s request.
“Latch on NY” is one of several efforts the hospitals have taken to encourage mothers to breastfeed. Flushing Hospital received a Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant for its commitment to support breastfeeding and help reduce childhood obesity. The grant allowed staff members to become certified lactation consultants. Three employees are Internationally Boarded Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), an even more prestigious certification that the standard Certified Lactation Consultant certification. The hospital has also applied to become a “Baby Friendly” Hospital, a global initiative that promotes, protects, and supports breastfeeding through ten steps to successful breastfeeding. Also, the hospital boasts an active breastfeeding support group.

Jamaica Hospital, as well, boasts certified lactation consultants and a breastfeeding support group. The facility has also applied for Baby Friendly status and is currently working hard towards achieving it.