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Helping mothers breastfeed....
Our Philosophy
Littleton Regional Hospital Lactation Services is committed to providing support and encouragement in breastfeeding. We are in agreement with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the World Health Organization, and the International Lactation Consultant Association, that breastfeeding is the very best form of nutrition for all infants. Our teaching is consistent with their guidelines. We support the belief that the promotion of breastfeeding contributes to the reduction of diseases and common illnesses in infants, as well as having economic benefits to families and the work place.
What are Certified Lactation Consultants?
Certified Lactation Consultants are health care professionals with specialized education and experience in the field of breastfeeding and human lactation. They work to prevent and solve breastfeeding problems and to encourage a social environment that supports breastfeeding families. Recognizing that each family is unique, they assist families to achieve their own breastfeeding goals.
Why See a Lactation Consultant?
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To become informed before baby arrives regarding milk production and breast feeding techniques |
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Difficulty nursing a previous baby |
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Flat or inverted nipples |
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Breast Surgery or Silicone Implants |
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Engorgement |
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Sore nipples |
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Baby with slow weight gain |
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Mother suspects an insufficient milk supply |
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Baby has difficulty suckling |
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Premature infant or twins |
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Information on pumping and storing of milk when mother returns to work |
Lactation Services
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Breastfeeding classes |
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Phone consultation |
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Hospital consultations for breastfeeding difficulties |
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Corporate consultations to facilitate a breast-feeding-friendly workplace |
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Use of breast pumps and proper storage of breast milk when mother returns to work |
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Use of supplemental devices to aid in difficult breastfeeding situations |
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Weekly mother's support group — "Mom's Morning Out" |
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Professional in-services for healthcare agencies and community groups |
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Information regarding the use of drugs during lactation |
Littleton Regional Hospital has three international, board-certified Lactation Consultants. Kathleen Govatski is a Certified Nurse Midwife, Mary Jane Chase and Emily Kelly are Registered Nurse Clinicians. All are certified childbirth educators and teach in the hospital's Birth and Parenting Program. They have prepared families for labor, birth and parenting and have counseled breastfeeding mothers for over twenty years. They are members of the New Hampshire State Breastfeeding Task Force, which as its mission, "The promotion of breastfeeding for mother of all New Hampshire babies".
Breastfeeding – Getting Started
There is no question, say the experts, that breast milk is the best food a newborn baby can receive. There is however a critical time for learning in the early days for both the mother and the new baby. From the newborn’s point of view, they have never before had to actively seek out nourishment, as the umbilical cord supplied all of their nutritional needs while in the mother’s womb. From the mother’s point of view, she is for the first time experiencing the logistics of how to hold her baby and position her breast in such a way that the baby is able to latch correctly to bring forth the precious early milk (colostrum) for nourishment.
There are instances when a mother and baby have no trouble getting the gist of the breastfeeding process. There are other times however, perhaps due to a difficult labor, the shape of the mother’s breasts, or to prematurity of the infant, that the comfort and ease of breastfeeding requires the assistance of a person trained in the art of breastfeeding.
Littleton Regional Hospital offers just such valuable help to mothers through its Lactation Services Program. With the help of a supportive maternity nursing staff and two board-certified lactation consultants, the hospital offers professional, comforting support to breastfeeding mothers and babies during the critical newborn period. As difficult as breastfeeding can seem to some mothers in the early days, the process usually becomes a lot easier, with a little help, by the end of the first week.
When breastfeeding mothers are having difficulties, they are encouraged to return for assistance, in what the staff lovingly refers to as “tune-ups.” Mothers who get through the early learning phase of breastfeeding often go on to breastfeed their babies for 6 months or more and sometimes continue for a year or more. This is a goal of the Healthy People 2010 Project
Lactation and Continuing Care Program
The Continuing Care Program extends Lactation Services providing postnatal education, care and support to the mother and her newborn. The goal for the program is to provide follow-up visits for mothers and babies in collaboration with infant and obstetric providers and to coordinate ongoing visits as needed. Appointments are available to all patients prior to discharge and to community members by calling 603-444-9335 or 603-444-9567.
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